Which of the following describes the landside of an airport?

The landside of an airport refers specifically to the part of the airport that is accessible to the general public and does not require security clearance. This area includes facilities such as the check-in counters, ticketing areas, shops, restaurants, and the general terminal space that travelers use before going through security checks.

Given this context, identifying the portion of the airport before boarding gates aligns perfectly with the definition of landside. It is where passengers can interact with the airport's amenities without needing to pass through a security screening, making this characteristic essential in understanding airport operations.

The other areas mentioned, such as the runway, which is essential for aircraft movement, or the terminal area after security checks, which is known as the airside, are not applicable to the definition of landside. The clarification distinguishes how different sections of an airport are accessed and their associated security protocols, emphasizing the importance of the correct description of landside.