Airport ramp

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

The airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway. However, the apron is not usually open to the general public and a license may be required to gain access.

Ben Gurion International Airport (Terminal 3) Aircraft Parking Chart

The use of the apron may be controlled by the apron management service (apron control or apron advisory). This would typically provide a coordination service between the users.

The apron is designated by the ICAO as not being part of the maneuvering area. All vehicles, aircraft and people using the apron are referred to as apron traffic.

In the USA, the words "apron" and "ramp" are used interchangeably in most circumstances. Generally, the pre-flight activities are done in ramps; and areas for parking & maintenance are called aprons. Passenger gates are the main feature of a terminal ramp. As the word apron is part of the ICAO terminology but the word ramp is not, the word ramp is not used outside the USA. (At least not with this meaning.)