Transport Fever 3 Airport Guide: Airfields, Planes, Helicopters and Heliports
When airfields, airports and heliports arrive, which planes fit where, how to add a second runway or turn one around, where to buy helicopters, and every aircraft in our vehicle list.
Last updated Game version: Release version, manual page revised 2026-09-29
The short answer
Airfields from 1920, airports from 1950. The airfield is for smaller planes; the airport takes every plane and helicopters too. All four
Big planes need the full airport. Smaller planes can use either. Planes
Helicopters are sold only at heliports. Airports and helipads do not sell them. Helicopters
Turn a runway with its approach lights. A second runway makes room for more terminals and hangars. Building an airport
From the official manual
Airfield, airport, heliport and helipad
There are two kinds of airport: the airfield, for smaller planes, and the airport, which takes every plane and helicopters as well.
Built as
In the game from
Used by
Its hangar sells
Airfield
1920
Smaller planes
Planes
Airport
1950
Every plane, and helicopters
Planes
Heliport
1950
Helicopters
Helicopters
Helipad
1950
Helicopters
Nothing: landing and take-off only
How to build and grow an airport
Airports have their hangars built into them. Hangars are the depots of the air: planes are bought there, so you never build a separate depot for them.
One airfield or airport can have passenger terminals and cargo terminals side by side.
An airport can get a second runway. Once it has one, you can add a taxiway and put more terminals and hangars on the far side of that runway.
To turn a runway around, place its approach lights at the end where you want planes to come in to land.
Once the planes are bought, put them on a line and keep an eye on its frequency and rate: the line manager guide explains both.
Planes
Planes carry passengers or cargo, and they can only pick them up and drop them off at airports. The first planes arrive in the 1920s.
Larger planes need the large airport, while smaller ones can also use the smaller airfield. Planes show thrust in kN where other vehicles show power. Thrust decides how quickly a plane speeds up and what top speed it reaches. Behind the scenes the game also uses each plane's wing span and wing area to work out drag and lift, even though the interface never shows them.
With alternative terminals switched on, a plane decides which terminal to use at the end of the runway. Road, rail and water vehicles have maintenance buildings that repair them on the way, but there is no such building for aircraft.
Helicopters, heliports and helipads
Helicopters get heliports of their own. A heliport has a hangar that sells helicopters and nothing else, and it is the only place to buy one. Helipads are smaller: helicopters can land and take off there, but nothing is sold.
The Offshore achievement asks you to land a helicopter on an oil platform. It is one of the achievements earned the first time you do something in a Free Game. The achievements guide lists the rest.
Prices, thrust, weight and length for each aircraft are in the vehicle list. When each one leaves the store is explained in the unlock dates guide.
Airport fixes in Version 40420
Airport hangars can now be built in the specific cases where that failed.
Airport fences no longer flicker, and tram depot doors open properly.
Every change in that release is on the updates page.
What the manual does not say
How long a runway is, or how many planes one airport can handle at a time.
Which planes count as the larger ones that need a full airport: the manual gives no list.
How planes and helicopters get repaired, since there is no maintenance building for them.
Frequently asked questions
When do airports unlock in Transport Fever 3?
Airfields arrive in 1920, full airports in 1950, and heliports and helipads in 1950. The first planes arrive in the 1920s.
Why can't my plane use the airfield?
Larger planes need the large airport, while smaller ones can also use the smaller airfield. There are two kinds of airport: the airfield, for smaller planes, and the airport, which takes every plane and helicopters as well.
Why can't I buy a helicopter at my airport?
Helicopters get heliports of their own. A heliport has a hangar that sells helicopters and nothing else, and it is the only place to buy one. Helipads are smaller: helicopters can land and take off there, but nothing is sold.
How do I change the runway direction?
To turn a runway around, place its approach lights at the end where you want planes to come in to land.
Can planes and helicopters carry cargo?
Yes. Planes carry passengers or cargo, and they can only pick them up and drop them off at airports. One airfield or airport can have passenger terminals and cargo terminals side by side. In our vehicle list, the Curtiss C-46 Commando (small plane) and the Piasecki H-21 Workhorse (helicopter) carry cargo.
How do I get the Offshore achievement?
Land a helicopter on an oil platform. It is one of the achievements earned the first time you do something in a Free Game. Helicopters are sold only at heliports, which arrive in 1950.
Sources
The game rules on this page come from these pages of the official manual:
Stations and Depots (airfields, airports, heliports, helipads, runways and hangars; revised September 29, 2026)
Vehicles (what planes carry, thrust, wings and which planes need a full airport; revised September 28, 2026)
Lines and Vehicles (where planes choose an alternative terminal; revised September 29, 2026)
Achievements (the Offshore achievement; revised September 29, 2026)
The aircraft numbers come from our vehicle list, where each number links to the two videos that show it. Checked on October 10, 2026. Seen something different in game? Let us know.
