What term refers to the ability of an airport to handle a specific number of aircraft?

The term that refers to the ability of an airport to handle a specific number of aircraft is capacity. This concept encompasses the maximum number of aircraft that can land, take off, or be accommodated at an airport over a given period of time. Capacity is essential for airport operations and planning because it helps to determine how efficiently an airport can manage air traffic while maintaining safety and minimizing delays. By understanding the capacity, airport management can make informed decisions on improvements, upgrades, and expansions to meet future demands.

Other terms like throughput, volume, and traffic load, while related to traffic management and operations, focus on different aspects. Throughput refers to the actual number of aircraft that are processed at an airport in a specific time frame and can vary from capacity. Volume may refer more to the overall amount of air traffic activity without specifying the airport's performance limits. Traffic load typically indicates the total amount of air traffic (including passengers and cargo) an airport can handle but doesn't specifically define the upper limits of aircraft capacity. Thus, capacity is the most accurate term in this context.