Between the runway and the terminal, aircraft need somewhere to park, load, and refuel. That paved area is the apron, sometimes called the ramp. It handles the slow, crowded business of turning an aircraft around between flights.

Ground vehicles share the space with aircraft. Fuel trucks, baggage carts, catering lifts, and pushback tugs all move through a confined area with tight clearances. Apron accidents are common, usually at low speed and high cost.

Typical apron activities

• Passenger boarding and deplaning
• Baggage and cargo loading
• Refuelling and servicing
• De-icing in cold weather

Markings matter. Painted lines guide aircraft to stands and tell drivers where to keep clear. Faint or snow-covered markings cause collisions and damage that can ground an aircraft for days.