Definition
A defined path on an airport surface established for the taxiing of aircraft between runways, ramps, hangars, terminals, and other airport areas.
Plain English
A taxiway — the marked path on the ground that aircraft use to move between the runway and other parts of the airport.
Context Anchor
Seen in NOTAMs, airport diagrams, and other written airport information, often with a letter or name such as TWY A or TWY Bravo.
Derivation
TWY is a shortened written form of taxiway. “Taxi” in aviation means to move an aircraft on the ground under its own power, and “way” means a path or route.
Why Pilots Care
Correct identification of TWY information prevents runway incursions and ensures safe, efficient ground movement.
Analogy
A taxiway is like a street for aircraft on the airport surface. It connects the places aircraft need to reach, but it is not normally the place used for takeoff or landing.
Intuition Check
TWY does not mean runway. A TWY is for ground movement around the airport; a runway is the surface used for takeoff and landing.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM reported that TWY B was closed between the ramp and Runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
The controller cleared the aircraft to taxi via TWY Alpha to the runway.