Which of the following best defines clearance in airline operations?

• A. The certificate authorizing maintenance work.
• B. The approval given for an airplane to fly the specified route in the flight plan.
• C. The manual that governs airspace procedures.
• D. The maximum allowable passenger count.

Answer: (B)

Clearance is the air traffic control authorization that lets an airplane proceed with its planned flight along the assigned route. It tells the crew the route to fly, the altitude to maintain, and any other conditions or restrictions needed for safe, orderly separation from other traffic. This matches the idea of being approved to fly the specified route in the flight plan, which is exactly what ATC provides before taxi and takeoff. The other descriptions refer to things like maintenance releases, reference manuals, or passenger capacity, none of which authorize the actual flight on a prepared route.