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The length of an airport runway is influenced by several factors, including weather conditions, altitude, and temperature. These factors impact the speed required for aircraft to take off and land safely. While longer runways are generally advantageous for aircraft operations, they come with significant construction costs. As of February 2023, Qamdo Bamda Airport (BPX) in Tibet boasts the world's longest runway at 5,500 meters. However, some reports indicate that this runway is no longer in use and has been replaced by a 4,500-meter runway. Moscow's Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA) is now a contender for the longest runway, measuring 5,400 meters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport with the longest runway | Qamdo Bamda Airport (BPX) in Tibet |
| Length of the runway | 5,500 meters |
| Reason for long runway | Needed for aircraft to accelerate to an acceptable speed for lift-off; larger and heavier planes require more speed and hence more runway length; additional runway length helps with unfavorable weather conditions |
| Other airports with long runways | Moscow's Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA) (second longest runway in the world at 5,400 meters); Denver, Colorado (runway 16L/34R is 16,000 feet long); Colorado Springs, Colorado (13,500-foot runway) |
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What You'll Learn
Qamdo Bamda Airport, Tibet: world's longest runway
Qamdo Bamda Airport, also known as Changdu Bangda Airport or Qamdo Bangda Airport, is located in the village of Bamda (Bangda) in Baxoi County, Tibet. It is situated at an elevation of 4,334 meters (14,219 feet) above sea level, making it the second-highest airport in the world.
The airport boasts the longest runway in the world, measuring an impressive 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) in length and 45 meters in width. This extraordinary length is essential due to the high-altitude location of the airport. Aircraft operating at high altitudes experience reduced engine performance and lift, necessitating higher takeoff speeds and, consequently, longer takeoff and landing distances.
The unique topography of the airport also significantly impacts the climate. During winter and spring, temperatures plunge to as low as 20 degrees Celsius below zero, and wind speeds can exceed 30 meters per second. The oxygen content at the airport is only 50 percent of that at sea level, further emphasizing the importance of a lengthy runway for safe aircraft operations.
Qamdo Bamda Airport currently serves five domestic routes within China, connecting Qamdo to Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Anhui Fuyang. It does not yet have any international routes. Due to its remote location, Qamdo Bamda Airport has earned the nickname "the loneliest airport in the world." It is situated in the Hengduan Mountains, characterized by high mountains and deep ravines, making access by road a challenging and time-consuming endeavor.
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Moscow's Zhukovsky International Airport: Europe's longest runway
Moscow's Zhukovsky International Airport boasts Europe's longest runway. Also known as Ramenskoye Airport, it is located in the city of Zhukovsky, 36 kilometres southeast of central Moscow. The airport was constructed within the existing Ramenskoye aerodrome in Moscow Oblast and is the fourth international airport in the city, joining Domodedovo International Airport, Sheremetyevo Airport, and Vnukovo Airport.
Zhukovsky International Airport's runway measures 5.5 kilometres in length, earning it the title of the longest runway in Europe. The airport was first proposed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in 2011 to relieve the traffic burden on Moscow's other airports and reduce ticket costs. The airport was initially scheduled to open on March 16, 2016, but due to certification issues and a lack of interest, the opening was postponed until May 30, 2016.
The airport is a joint venture between International holding group Avia Solutions Group and Russian state corporation Rostec, with the former investing approximately $30 million for a 75% share. The development of Zhukovsky International Airport was expected to enhance Moscow's transport infrastructure and provide an additional option for low-cost airlines.
In terms of passenger capacity, the airport's first phase in 2016 was designed to accommodate 1.7 million passengers annually. With further development, it was projected that the airport could handle up to 10.8 million passengers by 2020. Zhukovsky International Airport is accessible via the nearby Otdykh train station, which is served by the Sputnik express electric train from Moscow Kazansky railway station during weekdays.
Zhukovsky International Airport has been the site of notable incidents, including an emergency landing by Ural Airlines Flight 178 in 2019. The aircraft, an Airbus A321, suffered a bird strike shortly after takeoff and made a successful emergency landing in a cornfield, demonstrating the skill of the pilots and the airport's responsiveness in emergency situations.
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Xigaze, Tibet: longest commercial runway
The airport with the longest commercial runway in the world is located in Xigaze, Tibet, also known as Shigatse Peace Airport or Rikaze Peace Airport (RKZ). The runway is 5km or 16,000 feet long, and it is tied with Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport (ULY) in Russia for the longest in the world.
The airport is located 26.7 miles from Tibet's second-largest city, Shigatse, in Jiangdang Township. It is one of the highest airports in the world, situated at 12,408 feet above sea level. The thin air and low oxygen levels at this elevation pose significant challenges for aircraft, requiring longer runways to achieve takeoff. The climate at Rikaze Peace Airport is dry and monsoon-influenced, with hot and humid summers and cold, dry winters. The area is also prone to sandstorms in the spring, blowing across the Mongolian steppe from the Gobi Desert.
The airport first opened as a purely military facility in 1973 and became a dual-use military and civilian airport in 2010 following a 532 million yuan expansion. It serves as a vital gateway to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, which is characterised by rugged terrain and high altitudes. The extended runway is crucial for safe aircraft operations in the region, providing the distance needed for planes to lift off in the thin air.
Rikaze Peace Airport has a 48,000 square feet terminal building and serves three airports in China: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), and Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY). These routes are operated by Tibet Airlines, West Air (China), and China Eastern Airlines, respectively, using Airbus A319 aircraft. The Airbus A319 is specifically designed for high-elevation airports, featuring special adaptations for operation in thin air conditions.
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Colorado: long runways due to weather and climate
Runway length is critical to aircraft takeoff. The longer the runway, the more space an aircraft has to accelerate and build up speed to achieve takeoff. There are several factors that influence runway length, including the aircraft's weight, weather conditions, and altitude.
Colorado is known for having some of the longest runways in the United States, and this is largely due to the state's weather and climate conditions. Airports in Colorado, such as Colorado Springs Airport and Denver International Airport, are situated at high altitudes. Colorado Springs Airport, for example, sits at 6,000 feet of elevation, resulting in air pressure that is around 80% of sea-level pressure. Denver, known as the "Mile High City", has an even higher altitude, with air pressure at approximately 85% of sea level.
The lower air pressure in Colorado's high-altitude airports means that jet engines need to work harder to generate the necessary thrust for takeoff. Summer temperatures in Colorado can further thin out the air, reducing the engine's performance. As a result, longer runways are required to provide the distance needed for aircraft to accelerate and reach takeoff speed.
Additionally, the direction of runways in Colorado is influenced by the "average wind" direction, which is predominantly north-south. While this consideration results in shorter runways compared to other possible directions, it is an essential factor in runway design.
The unique weather and climate conditions in Colorado, including high altitudes, low air pressure, and warm summer temperatures, have led to the construction of longer runways to ensure the safe takeoff and landing of aircraft. These factors collectively contribute to Colorado's reputation for having some of the longest runways in the country and even the western hemisphere.
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Denver: runway over 3 miles long
Denver International Airport's runway 16L/34R is over 3 miles long, measuring a whopping 16,000 feet in length. This extraordinary length is due to the weather and climate conditions in Colorado, specifically the lower air pressure and warm summer temperatures on the Colorado Front Range.
Air pressure is a critical factor in aircraft takeoff and landing. Air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, and as Denver is famously known as the "Mile High City", sitting at around 5,280 feet above sea level, the air pressure is only around 85% of sea level pressure. This means planes need to fly faster to generate enough lift, requiring more runway length to reach the necessary speed.
The weather also plays a significant role in runway design. In Denver, the "average wind" direction is North-South, so most of the runways, including the lengthy 16L/34R, are built in this orientation. This allows planes to take advantage of the wind during takeoff and landing, reducing the speed required. However, this directional design also contributes to the overall length of the runways.
Additionally, runway designers consider average temperatures and precipitation when constructing runways, as these factors influence aircraft performance and runway length requirements. Warmer temperatures impact aircraft performance, particularly during takeoff, as hotter air is less dense and provides less lift for the aircraft. As a result, longer runways are often necessary to compensate for the reduced lift in warmer conditions.
Denver's runway 16L/34R is an impressive example of how weather, climate, and scientific principles come together to inform runway design, ensuring safe aircraft operations even in challenging conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Qamdo Bamda Airport (BPX) in Tibet has the world's longest runway at 5,500 meters.
Long runways are needed to allow aircraft to accelerate to an acceptable speed to produce lift and become airborne. Larger and heavier planes require more speed and therefore more runway length.
Weather is the main consideration when building a runway. Additional runway length can help with unfavourable weather conditions, especially during landing, which will help with safety. Runway designers also consider average temperatures and precipitation when building a runway as they also affect aircraft performance.
Moscow's Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA) has the second-longest runway in the world at 5,400 meters.
The airport with the shortest runway in the world is located on Saba, Dutch Caribbean, at 400 meters.
