What are taxiways primarily used for?

Taxiways serve an essential function on an airfield, providing designated pathways for aircraft to move between different areas such as the apron (where aircraft are parked, loaded, or unloaded) and the runways (where takeoffs and landings occur). Their primary purpose is to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of aircraft on the ground, allowing them to navigate from one point to another without interfering with runway operations.

This designated routing is crucial to maintaining safety and organization on the airfield, particularly during busy operations when multiple aircraft are present. By directing traffic and keeping aircraft moving smoothly, taxiways help to minimize the risk of collisions and ensure that airlines can adhere to their schedules.

The other options involve functions that do not align with the purpose of taxiways. Aircraft parking is the role of parking positions on the apron, while takeoffs and landings occur directly on runways. Storing maintenance vehicles takes place in service or maintenance areas, rather than on taxiways, which are reserved strictly for the movement of aircraft.