Aerodrome Safety and Air Navigation

Assignment Brief

Aerodrome Safety and Air Navigation 

Aerodromes and Air Navigation Services (ANS) are essential for the safety, efficiency and sustainability of civil and military aviation, and to meet wider economic, social and environmental policy objectives. Hazard Identification and Safety Management are key to the future development of safety within aviation.  For this coursework, you are asked to submit an indicative CAA Safety Performance Review (SPR) template report addressing the Aerodrome and Air Navigation Safety of  DUBAI   Airport OR London Heathrow Airport (LHR) 

• Provide technical details and specifications (i.e. runways, PCNs, map, NAVAIDS)
• Indicate incidents or past occurrences related to the particular airport(s) (if available)
• Explain contributing factors that may affect aerodrome safety
• Indicate key safety concerns/issues that are still valid regarding aerodrome operations.
• Provide example SPI and ALoSP(you may use any data. We are not expecting you  to collect the accurate data) 

Additional Remarks

Report should be limited to 2000- 2500 words excluding any Appendices.

The following is an indicative template you may use for your report:

Aerodrome(s) in the region

INTRODUCTION

• Region Aerodrome(s)
• Region future implementation plans for Aerodrome(s)
• Region Aerodrome(s) Operational Performance
• Pax numbers
• Aircraft movements
• Delays
• Key significant safety issues for Aerodrome(s)
• Region Aerodrome(s) Safety Performance
• Accidents
• Incidents
• Occurrences
• Safety Data Monitoring and Reporting
• Conclusions

Sample Answer

Civil Aviation Authority Safety Performance Review (SPR)

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – Aerodrome and Air Navigation Safety

Introduction

Aerodromes and Air Navigation Services (ANS) are at the core of global aviation safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Large international hubs such as London Heathrow Airport (LHR) face immense challenges in balancing operational performance, passenger demand, and robust safety management. As one of the busiest airports in the world, Heathrow represents a critical case for evaluating how hazard identification, incident analysis, and safety performance monitoring contribute to aviation’s overarching goal of maintaining “an acceptable level of safety performance” (ALoSP) while accommodating growth.

This indicative Safety Performance Review (SPR) explores the safety framework of Heathrow Airport in the context of aerodrome design, air navigation systems, historical occurrences, contributing risk factors, and ongoing challenges. The review further develops example Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and ALoSP benchmarks to demonstrate how safety management practices can be applied.

Region Aerodrome(s) Overview

Technical Details and Specifications of Heathrow Airport (LHR)

• Location: West London, approximately 14 miles from Central London

• Operator: Heathrow Airport Holdings (HAL)

• Runways: Two parallel runways – 09L/27R and 09R/27L – each approximately 3,902 metres long and 50 metres wide. Both are asphalt surfaced and capable of handling Code F aircraft (e.g., Airbus A380, Boeing 747-8).

• Pavement Classification Numbers (PCNs): Runway PCNs typically range around 80–100/F/A/W/T, indicating high pavement strength suitable for wide-body aircraft.

• Taxiways and Aprons: Extensive network of high-speed exits and dual parallel taxiways to minimise runway occupancy times.

• Navigation Aids (NAVAIDS):

  • Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT IIIb for both runways, permitting operations in very low visibility.

  • VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) – LON VOR located near the aerodrome.

  • Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).

  • Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS).

  • Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs).

• Terminal Infrastructure: Four passenger terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5).

• Air Navigation Service Provider: NATS (National Air Traffic Services) provides en-route and terminal ATC, with the Heathrow Control Tower managing approach and aerodrome control.

Region Future Implementation Plans

Heathrow has proposed expansion projects, most notably a third runway (Runway 27R/09L parallel to existing layout), though implementation remains politically and environmentally contested. Safety considerations in future planning include increased runway throughput, enhanced ground movement monitoring, and integration of new navigational technology (e.g., Performance-Based Navigation and satellite-based augmentation).

Region Aerodrome(s) Operational Performance

Passenger Numbers and Aircraft Movements

• 2019 (pre-pandemic): ~80.9 million passengers, ~480,000 aircraft movements.

• 2020–2021: Severe reduction due to COVID-19; ~22 million passengers in 2020.

• 2023–2024 recovery: Returning towards 70 million passengers annually.

Delays

Heathrow has long been criticised for delays, caused by:

• Operating near maximum declared capacity (98% slot utilisation).

• Weather-related disruptions (fog, low visibility, crosswinds).

• ATC restrictions due to UK/European airspace congestion.

Continued...