The airport is a complex and well-organized environmentbut sometimes some terminologies may seem confusing to casual travellers. Two terms that are often mixed up are “tarmac” and “taxiway”. Here is a brief description of each:
The “tarmac” refers to the aircraft parking area, also known as the “ramp”. This is where planes are parked when passengers board or deplane. Tarmac is usually a paved concrete or asphalt surface, designed to support the weight of aircraft. It is also equipped with equipment such as telescopic gangways to facilitate the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, as well as service vehicles for ground operations. The tarmac is managed by airline and ramp services personnel, who coordinate aircraft parking and ensure safety procedures are followed.
The “taxiway”, meanwhile, is a taxiway specially designed for aircraft, allowing them to move between the take-off and landing runway, as well as the tarmac. Taxiways are also paved and are generally narrower than take-off and landing strips. They are equipped with markings on the ground and beacon lights to guide the pilots and avoid any risk of collision. Planes use the taxiways to reach the take-off runway before leaving or to return to the tarmac after landing. Air traffic controllers are responsible for coordinating the movement of aircraft on taxiways, thereby ensuring safe and efficient traffic on airport grounds.
In summary, the tarmac is the apron area where aircraft are parked for passenger loading and unloading, while the taxiway is a taxiway for aircraft to move between the take-off runway and landing strip. landing and the tarmac. Understanding the difference between these two terms can help travelers better understand how the airport works and enjoy a more pleasant and safe journey.
