What does the term "Airport" refer to?

The term "Airport" refers to a designated area of land or water for aircraft operations, encompassing facilities for the movement, landing, and taking off of aircraft. This definition is broad and includes various types of airports, from large international airports with extensive infrastructure to small airstrips used for general aviation. An airport serves as a key component of the aviation system, facilitating commercial and private air travel and transportation.

While recreational areas, multiple runways, and maintenance facilities may be involved in aviation, they do not encapsulate the complete definition of an airport. An airport is essentially defined by its purpose and the activities it supports concerning air traffic operations and is not limited to just one aspect or type of usage. Therefore, understanding that an airport is fundamentally about the operational use of land or water for aircraft establishes its primary function in aviation.