Position Paper

Yellow Runway Edge Lights

Jan 07, 2025

Abstract

It has been interpreted that the ICAO provision detailed in Annex 14, 5.3.9.7(b) “at the remote end of the runway from the end at which the take-off run is started” in a way that runways used for landings do not need yellow edge lights on the last one-third or 600m of a runway. According to the IATA Safety Report 2019-2024, 31 out of 40 runway excursions occurred during landings.

It is IFALPA´s Position that the risk of a runway excursion and the need for lights to warn pilots as they are approaching the end of a runway are equally important for take-offs and landings. Therefore, yellow edge lights should be installed on the last one-third or 600 meters of the runway, whichever is less, in the direction of use, regardless of whether the runway is primarily used for takeoff or landing.