At a busy international airport, more than 2 to 3 lakh people interact with aeroplanes every single day—passengers, pilots, ground crew, and support staff all moving through a space that’s constantly buzzing with energy. It’s vibrant, it’s fast-paced… but there’s something most of us never think about while catching flights or grabbing coffee between gates: What kind of air are we breathing in there? For short answer, the best air quality solution for an airport can make the invisible visible.
Now imagine this, over 3 lakh people being exposed to high levels of air pollution every single day at just one airport. Not many realise it, because you can’t see poor air quality with your eyes. The emissions from jet engines, the constant vehicle movement, the crowded indoor spaces—all of it silently contributes to a toxic mix in the air. Besides, without proper monitoring, we wouldn’t even know it’s happening.
Hence, real-time air quality monitoring is no longer optional for airports because it’s a must. In this blog, we’re breaking down what’s really going on with airport pollution, why it matters more than ever, and how Prana Air’s air quality solutions are helping airports across the country tackle this invisible threat—head-on and smartly.
Why Does Airport Air Quality Need Urgent Attention?
Airports have unique environments that combine both industrial-level outdoor activity and dense, enclosed indoor spaces. Hence, this blend makes them vulnerable to a wide range of airborne pollutants, many of which go undetected without proper systems in place.
Pollution Hotspots
Airside & Aircraft Emissions
On the runway and around parked aircraft, air pollution levels spike dramatically. Common emissions include:
- Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5): From jet exhaust and braking systems
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): A byproduct of aircraft and service vehicle engines
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Sulfur Oxides (SOx): From incomplete fuel combustion
Wind can carry these pollutants far beyond the runway, reaching residential areas and surrounding communities as a result, worsening local air quality and raising regulatory concerns.
Terminal & Indoor Spaces
Indoor spaces as where travellers spend the most time, are subject to multiple pollution sources:
- Waiting Areas: High CO₂ concentrations due to dense occupancy, elevated PM2.5 from clothes, luggage, and HVAC systems.
- Food Courts: Release VOCs, NO₂, CO, and PM from cooking and oil vapours.
- Washrooms: harbour bad odours, microbial pollutants, and TVOCs from cleaning agents and personal care products.
These enclosed environments can trap pollutants, making indoor air quality (IAQ) just as critical as outdoor monitoring.
Landside Facilities
- Parking Garages: Constant vehicle traffic leads to the accumulation of CO, NOx, and PM, which often recirculate into terminal structures.
- Maintenance & Fueling Zones: Expose staff to VOCs and NOx, especially during equipment servicing and fuel transfer.
From aircraft emissions to indoor washroom air, pollution at airports is everywhere, but largely invisible. That’s where real-time monitoring makes the difference.
The Air Quality Solution for Airports: Making the Invisible, Visible
To solve a problem as dynamic and location-specific as airport pollution, real-time, continuous monitoring is critical. Because periodic sampling or manual inspections are no longer sufficient in today’s high-traffic, high-risk environments.
Why Continuous Monitoring Is Key At Airports?
Air quality at the airport doesn’t stay static because it fluctuates with weather, time of day, passenger load, and operational activities. Without live air quality data, there’s no way to respond to these changes effectively. As a result, delays in detection mean delayed responses, putting health and regulatory compliance at risk.
Introducing Prana Air’s Air Quality Monitoring Solution For Airports:
Prana Air offers an end-to-end air quality monitoring solution for airports, built to handle both indoor and outdoor challenges with precision.
For the Outdoors: Ambient PM or Prana Sense Monitor
The Ambient PM or Prana Sense Air Quality Monitor is designed for airside locations, parking lots, and perimeter boundaries.
- Tracks pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, Temperature, Humidity, and noise. The advanced version can also monitor NOx, SO₂, O₃ (ozone), and CO, in addition to the major pollutants.
- Highly durable design to withstand airport weather conditions and offers accurate air quality data for timely actions.
- Multiple power and connectivity options, including solar, Ethernet, and others, for continuous power and function.
- Ideal for aircraft bays, runways, service roads, parking areas or any outdoor space.
For the Indoors: SQUAIR Monitor
The SQUAIR Monitor is a smart indoor solution for:
- Waiting lounges, boarding gates, check-in halls, offices, and restrooms
- Measures PM (1, 2.5, 10), CO₂, TVOCs, Formaldehyde (HCHO), Temperature, and Humidity
- Compliant with LEED, WELL, and ASHRAE indoor air quality standards
- Sleek, discreet design with Wi-Fi or wired connectivity
Together, these devices build a comprehensive monitoring network, ensuring no zone is left unchecked.
Data That Empowers: From a Single Screen to Every Smartphone
Modern air quality management goes beyond just collecting data, it’s about making the right data accessible at the right time to the right people.
A Centralized Command Center
Imagine viewing air quality data from dozens of monitors across the airport on a single dashboard. From outdoor runways to indoor lounges, Prana Air’s centralised platform lets airport authorities monitor, compare, and act instantly. This command centre enables intuitive insights as tracking pollution levels by zone, viewing historical patterns, and setting alerts for exceedance.
Data for Everyone
For Airport Management: Tablets & TV Displays
- Tablet apps allow on-the-go monitoring for supervisors and facility managers.
- TV screens mounted in terminals display real-time AQI for public transparency, enhancing trust and accountability.
For Passengers & Staff: QR Code Access and Digital Screens
One of Prana Air’s most innovative features is the QR code system. With it, the digital displays can be installed for everyone to see.:
- Anyone, as a passenger, employee, or visitor, can scan a QR code placed at key locations (e.g., check-in counters, food courts)
- Access live, location-specific air quality data on their phone
- The data screen can display the outdoor and indoor air quality.
For In-Depth Analysis: Full-Featured AQI Mobile App
Air Quality Monitoring :
- Real-time and historical data
- Health recommendations based on AQI readings
- Alerts and analytics for proactive decision-making
By making data visible, shareable, and actionable, Prana Air empowers everyone—from top-level management to individual travellers.
Building the Airport of the Future
Air quality at the airport is a critical issue—too often ignored, yet easily managed with the right tools. Clean air isn’t a luxury because it’s a necessity for efficient, safe airport operations. With Prana Air’s air quality solutions for airports, terminals can finally breathe easy.
By adopting these technologies, airports can:
- Protect the health of passengers and employees
- Optimize ventilation and maintenance with data-driven insights
- Meet international air quality standards and boost green certifications
- Improve passenger confidence through transparency and trust
Ready to Take Off into Cleaner Air?
Airports of the future won’t just help people in commuting, they’ll protect them.
Contact Prana Air today for a personalised consultation or to schedule a demo of our advanced air quality monitoring solutions tailored for airport environments.
