What is 'turn time' in aviation?

Turn time in aviation refers to the time between when an aircraft lands and when it is ready to depart again. This period is crucial because it encompasses several essential processes, including unloading passengers and cargo, refueling, conducting necessary inspections, and boarding new passengers. Efficient management of turn time is vital for airlines to maintain on-time performance and maximize the utilization of their aircraft.

The other options do not accurately define turn time. For example, the duration of the flight represents the time an airplane spends in the air and is unrelated to ground operations. The time allocated for passenger boarding refers specifically to the boarding phase and doesn't include the full range of ground activities during the turn. Similarly, while the total time an aircraft is in the air pertains to flight duration, it does not encompass the essential ground activities that occur during turn time.