GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026

Aerodrome

A hospital helipad, a crop-dusting airstrip, and a military flight base all fall under the same legal category: aerodrome.

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Last updated: 23 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.icao.int/safety/airnavigation/nationalitymarks/annexes_booklet.pdf

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Logistics Concept

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1 min

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104

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20 articles

Definition & Explanation

A hospital helipad, a crop-dusting airstrip, and a military flight base all fall under the same legal category: aerodrome. ICAO Annex 14 defines an aerodrome as any designated area of land or water—including all buildings, facilities, and equipment—intended wholly or partly for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of aircraft. The term is deliberately broader than 'airport': an airport is an aerodrome with full commercial terminal infrastructure, whereas a basic aerodrome may consist of nothing more than a runway and an apron. For freight logistics, the distinction matters—only aerodromes equipped with certified customs, veterinary, and security facilities are authorised to handle international commercial cargo.