General aviation terminal.
A general aviation terminal is the building at an airport set aside for non-airline traffic, including private jets, business aircraft and their passengers and crew. It is often operated by, or houses, one or more FBOs. Passengers using a general aviation terminal bypass the main airline terminal but still clear security, customs and immigration where required.
| Term | General aviation terminal |
|---|---|
| Used in | Private aviation, charter brokerage and operations |
| Related terms | FBO (fixed-base operator), Handling agent, Slot |
| Sources | 2 listed below |
What does General aviation terminal mean in practice?
At larger airports the general aviation terminal is a separate building with its own road entrance, car park and apron.
At small regional airfields it may be a single room. ICAO defines general aviation as all civil aviation operations except commercial air transport and aerial work, but airports use the term loosely to mean everything that is not a scheduled airline, and charter flights use these terminals too. Expect a quieter process: no check-in desk, hand baggage screening rather than full airline security lanes at many locations, and a short walk or drive to the aircraft. On international flights, customs and immigration officers either attend the terminal or the aircraft, and you will need passports and any visas exactly as on an airline. Your confirmation should name the terminal, since being at the wrong building on a big airport can cost you the departure slot.
Questions
What does General aviation terminal mean?
A general aviation terminal is the building at an airport set aside for non-airline traffic, including private jets, business aircraft and their passengers and crew. It is often operated by, or houses, one or more FBOs. Passengers using a general aviation terminal bypass the main airline terminal but still clear security, customs and immigration where required.
Sources
- Wikipedia: General aviation (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Wikipedia: Fixed-base operator (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.