TAF System Overview

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The Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) system is the official forecast of aviation activity at FAA facilities. These forecasts are prepared to meet the budget and planning needs of FAA and provide information for use by state and local authorities, the aviation industry, and the public. The TAF includes forecasts for:

  • FAA towered airports
  • Federally contracted towered airports
  • Nonfederal towered airports
  • Non-towered airports

Detailed forecasts are prepared for major users of the National Aviation System including:

  • Large air carriers
  • Air taxi/commuters
  • General aviation
  • Military

The TAF includes forecasts for active airports in the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS).

The historical data and forecasts are located on an FAA Internet server and may be queried without additional software using any web browser. The Internet interface also allows users to create summary reports and user-defined forecasts. Please use the Detailed Model links in the left sidebar. In addition, the public may download TAF databases in zipped dbf format through the Download [YEAR] Report link to the upper left.

Once published, the TAF remains constant until its next publication, with the only exceptions being significant traffic shifts by major airlines or the discovery of significant historical data errors. Any change in an airport forecast will be noted on this page and in the airport Notes file.