Ground time

Ground time refers to the period an aircraft spends on the ground between landing from one flight and taking off for the next. It allows for balancing efficiency, safety, and service quality.

During this interval, all critical operational activities must be completed, including passenger changes, cleaning, refueling, security checks, and maintenance inspections.

Sufficient ground time is essential to ensure the aircraft is properly prepared for the next flight, that safety procedures are followed, and that the passenger experience is not compromised by rushed or incomplete servicing.

If passengers take longer than expected to disembark, or if refueling is delayed due to apron congestion, the aircraft may miss its scheduled departure slot, creating delays for the next flight.

This is not to be confused with turnaround, which refers to the portion of ground time dedicated to operational processes that prepare the aircraft for its next flight, such as servicing, loading, and boarding.