Plain English Meaning
A count of how many people get on planes at an airport during a year. Each time a passenger boards, that counts as one enplanement.
Full Definition
The total number of passengers boarding aircraft at an airport over a given period, typically measured annually. Enplanements are used by the FAA to categorize airports and determine federal funding eligibility under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
Context Anchor
Seen in airport category discussions, airport planning, and FAA descriptions of how busy an airport is for passenger service.
Derivation
From 'en-' (meaning 'to put into' or 'onto') plus 'plane.' Literally 'the act of getting onto a plane.' The opposite term, 'deplanement,' refers to passengers getting off.
Why Pilots Care
Airport category based on enplanement volume determines services, , and infrastructure support a can expect.