How do "boarding gates" function at an airport?

Boarding gates at an airport serve the essential function of providing designated areas where passengers can board and disembark from aircraft. These gates are typically equipped with seating areas, flight information displays, and staff to facilitate the boarding process. When passengers arrive at the gate, they can wait comfortably until it's time to board the aircraft, at which point airline staff will often conduct boarding announcements and verify boarding passes.

The other options represent different functions at an airport. Maintenance areas are designated for ground staff to take care of the aircraft, check-in locations are where passengers confirm their flights and obtain boarding passes, and storage facilities are for managing baggage before it is loaded onto the aircraft. However, none of these functions align with the primary role of boarding gates, which is focused specifically on the boarding and disembarkation process. Thus, option B accurately describes the function of boarding gates at an airport.