What Is Aircraft Provisioning?

Bottled water, soft drinks, juices, coffee, and tea; snacks; ice; cups, napkins, and galley supplies; lavatory and passenger amenities; and restocking anything used on the last trip.

Many operators keep a standard stocking list for each aircraft and add trip-specific requests for particular passengers.

Catering is food prepared for a specific flight, such as plated meals, platters, or fresh items, and is usually ordered per trip. Provisioning is the recurring stock of shelf-stable items and supplies.

They're often handled together: the cabin is restocked and the catering order is delivered plane-side in the same visit.

Send a standard list, the airport and FBO, and the departure time. A provisioning service shops, delivers, stocks the aircraft, and confirms when it's done, which takes a task off the crew's plate between legs.