What is the main distinction between YOW's airside and landside areas?

The main distinction highlighted in the correct answer is that airside areas are specifically restricted to authorized personnel and vehicles, which is crucial for maintaining security and safety in airport operations. The airside area, which includes runways, taxiways, and areas around aircraft, is an operational zone that requires stringent access control to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering and potentially compromising safety operations, such as aircraft movement and refueling processes.

On the other hand, the landside area of the airport is designed for public access, accommodating passengers and visitors. Here, individuals can move freely to access various services like ticketing, check-in, waiting lounges, and other amenities. This clear division between airside and landside allows for the effective flow of passengers while ensuring that critical operations conducted in the airside area remain secure and orderly. This distinction underscores the importance of regulated access and safety protocols, which are particularly vital in aviation environments.