Runways
Canberra Airport has two runways; the main runway 17/35 (3.28 km long) is orientated north-south and is used for the majority of aircraft traffic. The shorter runway 12/30 (1.67km) is orientated east-west and is used mainly for propeller aircraft.
Each runway is referred to differently according to in which direction it is being used. For example the main runway is known as Runway 35 when used in a northerly direction and Runway 17 when used in a southerly direction. Runway numbering reflects the runways’ orientation and correlates with degrees on a compass. Runway 35 is 350 degrees.
An Instrument Landing System operates for aircraft landing on Runway 35, and Smart Tracking procedures are available for aircraft landing on Runways 35 and 17.
Runway selection and seasonal winds
Runway selection is based on wind direction, weather conditions, traffic volume and other factors. See the Runway Selection page for more details. Aircraft primarily take-off and land into the wind for safety and performance reasons. Therefore, as the wind direction changes the runway in operation may also change depending on the strength of the wind.
This means that Canberra’s seasonal wind patterns affect usage of the different runway directions. The prevailing winds favour Runway 35 which is used more than 70 per cent of the time. Runway 17 tends to be used more frequently in the warmer months than at other times, but this does vary.
Noise abatement areas
A noise abatement area applies to most residential areas of Canberra and Queanbeyan. Aircraft will normally be routed to avoid the noise abatement area, which covers most of Gungahlin, North Canberra, Belconnen, South Canberra, Woden, Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan. Where it is not practical for aircraft to remain clear of those areas, during overflight jet aircraft must not fly below 7 000 feet above ground level and large propeller aircraft not below 5 000 feet. Smaller propeller aircraft are permitted. A number of exceptions apply to the noise abatement areas such as aircraft emergencies, medical priority flights, avoidance of hazardous weather, missed approaches and operational requirements.
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period April – June 2022. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2022. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2021. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2020. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2020. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2021. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2020. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period July – September 2020. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period April – June 2020. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2020. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2019. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period July – September 2019. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period April – June 2019. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2019. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2018. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period July – September 2018. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period April – June 2018. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2018. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2017. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period July – September 2017. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period April – June 2017. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2017. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period October – December 2016. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period July – September 2016. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period April – June 2016. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.
Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.
Aircraft type by runway end
Runway end use
The map below shows the percentage of use for each runway end for the period January – March 2016. “Runway end use” is calculated by adding together all arrivals to one end of the runway and all departures from the same end.
How To: As you click an (i) icon on the map or the applicable radio button below, the chart below the map will change to display information about the selected runway end.
How To: As you click each radio button below, the chart will change to display information about the selected runway end.Operations by hour of day for each runway end
Operations by runway
This pie chart shows you how the traffic is split across the runways based on operation type.