GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Runway
Pilots and air traffic controllers use the term runway to refer to the primary reinforced surface at an airport designated exclusively for aircraft acceleration during takeoff and deceleration during landing.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runway
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Definition & Explanation
Pilots and air traffic controllers use the term runway to refer to the primary reinforced surface at an airport designated exclusively for aircraft acceleration during takeoff and deceleration during landing. A runway's dimensions and load-bearing capacity define which aircraft types and maximum takeoff weights can safely operate at a given airport—a key planning criterion for cargo airlines selecting routes and hubs. Constructed from asphalt or concrete, runways carry designator markings, touchdown zone indicators, edge markings, and safety areas at each end. Strict maintenance cycles are mandatory, as even minor surface deterioration poses significant safety risks. Runways are distinct from taxiways, which serve only ground movement, and from aprons, which are used for parking and servicing aircraft.
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