Aerodromes are places where aircraft land and take off, are stationed and maintained. They are facilities for the handling of goods and movement of passengers. A distinction is made between airports and airfields. The organisation and operation of an aerodrome are set out in its operating regulations.
Airports have an operating concession, which gives the holder the right to operate the airport commercially and to charge fees. The concession holder is obliged to make the airport available to all aircraft, unless the operating regulations contain restrictions or there are restrictions due to the airport's infrastructure. Switzerland has both international and regional airports. The international airports primarily ensure Switzerland's connection to international air traffic. Regional airports are transport infrastructures of regional importance which primarily serve air transport in the public interest.
Airfields are private aerodromes with an operating licence. A heliport, whose infrastructure is restricted to use by helicopter traffic, is also a type of airfield. Winter airfields are only used in winter, as their name suggests, and have no permanent infrastructure.
Military airfields can also be used for civilian purposes. If this shared use is frequent, operations must be regulated by civilian operating regulations. When a former military airfield is converted to a civilian airfield, this must be done in accordance with the provisions of the Aviation Act.
