Preferential Runway Procedures

London FIR

Preferential Runway Procedures:

Due to their close proximity, under no circumstances is 08L/26R to be used as a runway at the same time as 08R/26L. When the main runway is in use, the northern runway is available as a taxiway. The northern runway is still to be referred to as 08L/26R even when it is being used as a taxiway.

The northern runway will only be used when the main runway is non-operational or when planned maintenance is being carried out

Gatwick operates a preferential runway scheme, whereby the Westerly runway (26L) will be used for take-off and landing in preference to the Easterly runway (08R), unless wind, or other factors dictate. Generally, it is to be said that:

"Runway 26L will normally be used in preference to 08R when the tailwind component is no greater than 5kts and the surface is dry"

The choice of runway configuration will be the decision of ADC.