Glossary of Key Terms of Airline Operations: The world of airline operations is filled with a vast array of terminology, acronyms, and phrases that can sometimes be daunting for the uninitiated. Whether you are new to the industry or just looking for a refresher, this glossary will provide insights into some of the most commonly used terms in airline operations.
Appendix A: Glossary of Key Terms of Airline Operations
Aircraft Turnaround:
The process from the time an aircraft lands until it takes off again, encompasses offloading passengers and cargo, maintenance, refueling, and boarding.
Air Traffic Control (ATC):
A service provided by ground-based personnel who manage the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air.
Airway:
An established corridor for aircraft to fly within, typically defined by navigation aids.
Apron:
A defined area at an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded or unloaded, refueled, or boarded.
Block Time:
The time from when an aircraft’s engines start at the departure gate until they are shut down at the arrival gate.
Cabin Crew:
The staff responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers onboard an aircraft, also known as flight attendants.
Code-share:
An agreement between airlines where one airline markets a flight operated by another airline. Passengers might buy a ticket from Airline A, but the flight is actually operated by Airline B.
Deadhead:
A term used when crew members are transported as passengers to position them for their next duty or to return them to their base.
ETOPS:
Stands for “Extended Operations.” Refers to the regulations and procedures for twin-engine airplanes to operate routes that, at some point, are more than 60 minutes flying time away from the nearest suitable landing airport.
FBO (Fixed Base Operator):
Organizations granted the rights by an airport to operate and offer services like refueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft maintenance, rental, and flight training.
Flight Deck:
The cockpit of an aircraft, where the pilots control the plane.
Flight Plan:
A document filed with ATC outlining the specifics of a flight, such as the route, the expected time en route, and alternate airports.
Gate:
A designated area in an airport terminal where passengers board or disembark from an aircraft.
Hub:
An airport where an airline has a significant presence and many of its flights originate from or connect through.
IATA:
The International Air Transport Association, an international trade body representing airlines worldwide.
ICAO:
The International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations specialized agency, which sets international standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity.
Layover:
Refers to the period of rest or waiting between a passenger’s connecting flights.
Load Factor:
The percentage of available seating capacity that is filled with passengers. It’s a measure of how full the flights are.
MRO:
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facilities where aircraft are serviced and maintained.
On-time Performance (OTP):
A measure of flights that depart or arrive within a certain period of their scheduled times.
Pushback:
The process of pushing an aircraft backward away from the airport gate, typically with the use of specialized ground vehicles.
Ramp:
The area of an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded and unloaded, refueled, or boarded. This term is often used interchangeably with “apron.”
Route:
The course or path taken by an aircraft from its origin to its destination.
Slot:
A scheduled time for an aircraft to take off or land, as allocated by an airport or air traffic control.
Standby:
Refers to a ticketing option that allows passengers to be placed on a waiting list for unsold seats on a flight.
Tailwind:
Wind moving in the same direction as the aircraft, which can increase its speed and reduce flight time.
Turnaround Time:
The time taken between an aircraft arriving at a gate and its subsequent departure from that gate.
Yield:
The average amount of money earned by an airline per passenger per kilometer traveled.
Zulu Time:
Another term for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), often used in aviation to avoid confusion due to multiple time zones.
In summary, the world of airline operations is complex and filled with its own unique set of terminologies. This glossary provides a foundation for understanding some of the key terms that are essential for anyone involved or interested in the aviation industry. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an aviation enthusiast, or a professional in the airline industry, a grasp of these terms can enrich your understanding and appreciation of the intricacies of airline operations.
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