Ramp Safety Practices: Update (2026)
Chapter: Glossary
Glossary
Apron: area on an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, refueled and maintained. Both “apron” and “ramp” are terms used for non-movement areas of an airport.
Ground support equipment: equipment used at an airport to support airport operations such as vehicles used to service and support aircraft on the ramp.
Large hub primary airport: airport that receives 1% or more of the annual U.S. commercial enplanements.
Medium hub primary airport: airport that receives 0.25% to 1.0% of the annual U.S. commercial enplanements.
Non-hub primary airport: airport that receives less than 0.05 % of the annual U.S. commercial enplanements.
Part 139: FAA regulation that establishes requirements for airports serving scheduled and unscheduled air carrier operations.
Ramp: area on an airport used for aircraft loading, unloading, parking, refueling and maintenance. Both “apron” and “ramp” are terms used for non-movement areas of an airport.
Small hub primary airport: airport that receives 0.05 to 0.25% of the annual U.S. commercial enplanements.
