Airside

The airside is the section of an airport that is beyond the security checkpoints and where passengers, airline staff, and airport workers have access to aircraft, terminals, and other restricted areas. 

The airside is accessible only to airport personnel, crew members, and individuals who have cleared security, such as passengers with valid boarding passes. It is the opposite of the landside, which refers to areas open to the general public, such as check-in counters, waiting areas, and the airport’s exterior.

An airside includes

• gates and boarding areas where passengers wait for their flights,
• passenger lounges, retail shops, restaurants, and duty-free stores,
• access points to the planes, including boarding bridges or stairs to reach the aircraft, and 
• areas for customs inspections and baggage retrieval.

By segregating areas accessible only to authorized individuals, airside areas prevent potential security threats or unauthorized interactions with aircraft.