What is indicated by "Ground Time"?

"Ground Time" refers specifically to the duration an aircraft remains on the ground at the airport between its landing and the next departure. This includes activities such as disembarking passengers, refueling, maintenance checks, and preparing the aircraft for its next flight.

This concept is crucial in the airline industry as it directly impacts flight schedules, turnaround times, and overall efficiency. The ability of an airline to efficiently manage ground time affects how well it can adhere to its timetable and minimize delays.

The other options illustrate activities that occur in a broader context related to air travel but do not encapsulate the full scope of what "Ground Time" specifically addresses. For instance, time spent in the air between flights pertains to the airborne phase of travel, loading and unloading cargo refers to a specific task that may happen during ground time, and check-in procedures relate to passenger processing prior to flight departure but do not define the concept of ground time on their own.