Plain English Meaning

All the aircraft moving in, out, or around an airport at a given time.

Full Definition

Aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport — taking off, landing, taxiing, or maneuvering within the airport traffic pattern or movement area.

Context Anchor

Used during approach, departure, taxi, and airport-area scanning when a pilot is looking and listening for other traffic that could affect safe movement.

Derivation

Airport combines “air” with “port,” meaning a place where aircraft arrive and depart. Traffic originally referred to movement or trade along a ; in , it points to the moving aircraft and vehicles that may affect your path.