Tarmac (Ramp)

Category: travel

The paved area at an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, and unloaded.

The ramp is a highly controlled SIDA zone. Only ground crews, pilots, and specialized vehicles are permitted here. It is the area immediately adjacent to the terminal where luggage carts, fuel trucks, and tugs operate.

Common Examples

• From our window seat, we watched the ground crew loading the last few containers onto the ramp for our departing flight.
• Walking on the tarmac is strictly prohibited for passengers and is considered a major federal security breach.