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There are many different names for roads that lead to or surround airports. In some cases, these roads are simply called Airport Road, but they can also have other names like Old Airport Road or Baghdad Airport Road. While most roads surrounding airports do not cross runways, there are a few airports where roads cross the runway, such as Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, Scotland, and Dabolim International Airport in Goa, India.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Roads that cross runways | London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Singapore Changi (SIN), Nauru International Airport (INU), Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India |
| Roads passing under runways | Many examples, including roads passing under Sumburgh Airport (LSI) in Shetland, Scotland |
| Airports with roads crossing the airfield | London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Singapore Changi (SIN), Nauru International Airport (INU), Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India |
| Names of airport roads | Airport Road (a section of Andrews Avenue in Metro Manila, Philippines), Airport Road Dhaka, Bangladesh, Baghdad Airport Road, Iraq, Old Airport Road, Bangalore, India, Airport Road, Wyoming, US, Airport Road, Huntsville, Alabama, US, Airport Road, Ontario, Canada |
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What You'll Learn
Airport roads that cross runways
While it is uncommon, a small number of roads do share their space with runways. These roads are closed with barriers whenever an aircraft lands or takes off. However, waiting times can be impacted when aircraft have to taxi or backtrack, keeping the road closed for longer.
One notable example of an airport with a road crossing its runway is Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India. This road serves the military facilities adjacent to the main airport runway and is not accessible to the public. While a peripheral road was built in 2018 to divert traffic away from the runway, Dabolim International Airport remains well-known for its unique road crossing.
Sumburgh Airport (LSI) in Shetland, Scotland, is another airport with a road crossing its runway. Runway 09/27, the longest of the three runways at Sumburgh, has the A970 crossing its western end. This road is closed with barriers whenever the runway is in use, ensuring the safe passage of aircraft.
In addition to these airports, there are a few other notable examples of roads crossing runways. London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and Singapore Changi (SIN) are major international airports that have roads crossing their runways. These crossings are carefully managed to ensure the safe and efficient flow of both vehicular and air traffic.
While less common, there are also instances of railways crossing runways. Gisborne Airport (GIS) on New Zealand's North Island has an active railway, the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line, crossing its 1,310-meter-long runway. This unique crossing showcases the creative solutions implemented to balance aviation and ground transportation infrastructure.
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Airport roads with alternative routes
While there are only a few airports with roads crossing the airfield, there are many examples of roads passing under active runways or taxiways. This often involves airport entrance and approach roads, but there are also cases of crossing major external highways.
Some significant examples of airports with roads crossing the airfield include London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and Singapore Changi (SIN). In the case of Heathrow, one of the runways is crossed by the M4 motorway, a major road connecting London to South Wales.
Another example is Sumburgh Airport (LSI) in Shetland, Scotland. This airport has a main road, the A970, crossing the western end of one of its runways. There are barriers in place to close the road when the runway is in use.
Nauru International Airport (INU) in the Republic of Nauru is unique in that its only runway cuts right through the surrounding town. However, instead of having a road crossing the runway, the island's main ring road travels around the airport and across the runway threshold. Traffic stops whenever the runway is active.
Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India, is another airport that has a road crossing its runway. However, this road is not a public road and instead serves the military facilities adjacent to the main airport runway.
In some cases, alternative routes are being developed to avoid the need for roads to cross active runways. For example, at Gibraltar, plans are underway to build a new tunnel under the airport to divert the road. Similarly, at Nauru International Airport, a new peripheral road was constructed in 2018 to allow traffic to avoid the runway crossing.
When it comes to air travel, the concept of "roads" and "routes" takes on a different meaning. Aircraft follow pre-planned routes, known as airways, which are similar to roads in the sky. These airways are part of a larger system of organization that allows multiple aircraft to safely share the skies. Airways have their own names and types, just like roads, and aircraft navigate using fixed navigational aids (navaids) and waypoints, which are like invisible road signs. Waypoints are geographical points loaded into the GPS systems of commercial aircraft.
In busy airspace, such as Atlanta or Chicago, aircraft also follow specific arrival and departure routes called Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs), which are similar to on-ramps and off-ramps on highways. These routes ensure the safe and efficient flow of aircraft in and out of busy airports.
Additionally, when planning a trip involving air travel, individuals often consider alternative routes and airports to find the most convenient or cost-effective option. For example, when travelling between Scotland and Belgium, one might compare routes such as flying via London or Amsterdam and taking a train for the remaining portion of the journey.
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Airways and waypoints
Waypoints are specific points or places on a route or line of travel, serving as stopping points or points at which a course change occurs. In modern aviation, waypoints are typically defined by their geographic coordinates, bearing and distance from a beacon, and a distinct name. These names often take the form of five-letter capitalized words, such as "EVUKI" or "JETSA," ensuring clear communication among controllers and pilots, regardless of their first language. Waypoints are like the "nuggets of aerial geography," guiding pilots along their journey. They are often associated with physical artifacts like radio beacons, buoys, or satellites, but they can also be abstract, defined only by their coordinates. In air navigation, waypoints are often a series of abstract GPS points that create artificial airways.
Airways, also known as "highways in the sky," are artificial routes created by connecting multiple waypoints. These airways facilitate air traffic control and optimize routing between heavily travelled locations. They provide a structured path for aircraft to follow, enhancing safety and efficiency in the skies. Airways are designed to streamline air traffic, much like highways on the ground, by offering a designated route for aircraft to navigate through.
The creation of airways and waypoints involves careful planning and consideration of various factors, such as traffic patterns, terrain, and the need for efficient routing. Airways are designed to connect waypoints in a way that facilitates smooth and direct travel between destinations. While airways provide a general route, waypoints serve as the specific milestones or checkpoints along that route.
Pilots rely on waypoints and airways to navigate during their flights. By following a sequence of waypoints, pilots can ensure they are on the correct airway and maintain their intended course. Modern technologies, such as GPS systems and flight computers, have revolutionized the use of waypoints and airways, making navigation more precise and adaptable. These technologies enable pilots to define and locate waypoints with high accuracy, enhancing the safety and efficiency of air travel.
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Airports with roads crossing runways
There are several airports around the world where roads cross runways. One notable example is Gibraltar International Airport, which has a busy four-lane highway bisecting its runway. This has long been recognised as a safety concern, and plans are underway to divert the road with a new tunnel being constructed underneath the airport.
Another airport with a road crossing its runway is Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India. However, it is important to note that this road is not a public road. It serves the military facilities adjacent to the main airport runway and is used by cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. As part of improvement works in 2018, a new peripheral road was built to allow traffic to avoid the runway crossing, facilitating easier landing and take-off for aircraft.
Nauru International Airport, situated on the island of Nauru, also has an interesting road crossing its runway. The airport's only runway crosses the island's main ring road, and motorists must stop at a traffic light whenever flights need to use the runway. This close integration of the airport and the community it serves is unique, with the runway located just steps away from the police station and parliament house in the town of Yaren.
While not a road, Gisborne Airport (GIS) in New Zealand features an active railway crossing its runway. The Palmerston North-Gisborne Line crosses the 1,310-metre-long asphalt-paved runway, providing a fascinating example of the intersection of aviation and railway infrastructure.
In addition to these airports, it is worth noting that many other airports have roads passing under active runways or taxiways, providing convenient access without interrupting aircraft operations. Examples include London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and Singapore Changi (SIN).
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Airport roads with the same names as runways
While there are many airports with roads crossing runways, I was only able to find one example of an airport road with the same name as the runway. This is the case at Sumburgh Airport (LSI) in Shetland, Scotland. The airport's runway 09/27 has a main road, the A970, running across its western end. When the runway is in use, barriers are used to close the road.
There are several other airports where roads cross runways. For example, Nauru International Airport's (INU) only runway cuts through the surrounding town. Instead of a road crossing the runway, the island's main ring road travels around the airport and across the runway threshold. Traffic stops whenever aircraft are landing or taking off.
Gibraltar Airport (GIB) is another well-known example, as its only runway is crossed by the busy main entry highway to Gibraltar. This intersection can be inconvenient for both aircraft and road users, and it can also pose a security risk. To address these issues, plans are underway to divert the road with a new tunnel being built under the airport.
Dabolim International Airport (GOI) in Goa, India, is another airport that is often cited as having a road across its runway. However, this road is not a public road but serves the military facilities adjacent to the main airport runway. A new peripheral road was built in 2018 to allow traffic to avoid the runway crossing.
While not an airport road, it is worth noting that Gisborne Airport (GIS) in New Zealand has an active railway, the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line, crossing its runway 14R/32L.
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Frequently asked questions
An airport road is a road that connects to an airport. In some cases, it may refer to a road that crosses a runway. However, this is relatively uncommon, with only a few significant examples, including London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and Singapore Changi (SIN).
Here are some examples of airport roads:
- Airport Road, a section of Andrews Avenue in Metro Manila, Philippines
- Airport Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Airport Road, Huntsville, Alabama, US
- Old Airport Road, Bangalore, India
Yes, airport roads can have different names. For example, Nevada State Route 759 is also known as Douglas County Airport Road, and Pennsylvania Route 987 was formerly known as Airport Road.
