ground staff

Meaning

The airport employees who work on the land-based side of aviation, such as check-in agents, gate agents, and baggage handlers. They assist passengers before boarding and after landing, rather than during the flight.

Examples

• The ground staff at the check-in desk helped us rebook our missed connection.

  The ground staff at the check-in desk helped us rebook our missed connection.

• Due to the heavy snow, the ground staff is working hard to clear the runways.

  Due to the heavy snow, the ground staff is working hard to clear the runways.

• If you have oversized baggage, please speak to a member of the ground staff.

  If you have oversized baggage, please speak to a member of the ground staff.

• The ground staff guided the passengers from the bus to the terminal building.

  The ground staff guided the passengers from the bus to the terminal building.

• Our flight was delayed, but the ground staff kept us updated every thirty minutes.

  Our flight was delayed, but the ground staff kept us updated every thirty minutes.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The ground staffs are very busy at the terminal today.

  ✓ The ground staff is very busy at the terminal today.

  'Staff' is a collective noun and is used in the singular form to represent the entire group of workers.

• ✗ I asked the ground staff on the plane for a blanket.

  ✓ I asked the cabin crew on the plane for a blanket.

  Ground staff work on the ground at the airport terminal or tarmac, not inside the flying airplane.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The ___ at the gate told us that the flight was ready for boarding.

  💡 Airport employees working at the departure gate.

  Show answer

  ground staff

• If your bags do not arrive, you need to report it to the airline's ___.

  💡 The airport-based workers who handle customer service on land.

  Show answer

  ground staff