Their business is taking off

Which airport is the busiest in the world? Based on passenger numbers, it is Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, with 976, 307 take-offs and landings in 2006. Here are some other airport superlatives: passengers voted Singapore Changi Airport the best in the world and Munich's airport the best in Europe. The prize for the cleanest airport terminal went to Seoul's Incheon Airport, and Copenhagen's airport offers the "best airport dining experience", according to Skytrax, a group of London-based advisers to the air transport industry. Many airports have become mini-cities, offering hotels, restaurants, shops, conference centres and offices. But the focus of airport operations is making sure that flights arrive and depart safely, and that passenger flow, baggage transport and securitychecks run smoothly.

Arriving planes are guided down to the airport by air traffic control (АТС). As a plane taxies to the terminal, apron control rects it to its parking position. Groundhandling staff provide passenger stairs or a jetway, unload the plane, and transport the suitcases to the baggage conveyors.

Most planes are then immediately readied for the next flight. Large planes such as a Boeing 747 require 90 minutes' turnaround time; smaller planes need 45 minutes at most. The cabin is cleaned and checked; food, drinks and fresh water are delivered. An aircraft mechanic does a visual safety inspection, some times accompanied by the co-pilot. Technical staff refuel the plane and supply power for the board computer, lighting and air conditioning.

Staff at the traffic operations centre decide 24 hours ahead which parking areas, baggage conveyors, gates and check-in counters should be used for each flight. Delays, poor weather conditions or terrorist warnings can make it necessary to change these plans. All airport security and service employees must be able to react quickly to such events.

Read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best completes each collocation or fixed phrase.

Most big cities were built long before the heyday of the private car. As a result
they rarely have enough space for moving traffic or parked vehicles, and long

queues of (1)...C... vehicles are a common sight. Indeed some cities end up being almost permanently (2) ....... during the day. Those that have a relatively free (3) ....... of traffic at non-peak periods of the day do not escape either. The (4) ....... hour of early morning or early evening can easily see traffic brought to a (5)........ . The effects of exhaust (6) ........ on air pollution in cities has been well documented. Buses might be seen as the solution, but they move slowly because of the sheer (7) ......... of other traffic, thus encouraging more commuters to abandon (8) ......... transport.

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 1232