Airport Operations Case Study – Los Angeles Airport

A runway in airport parlance is a rectangular area designed to facilitate the taking off and landing of aircrafts. Runways differ in terms of numbers depending on the type and size of aircrafts landing and taking off. Runways are geometrically numbered between 01 and 36 and can always be used in both directions depending on the angle of reference. The difference in angle between one direction and the opposite direction is always 18 degrees. In cases of parallel runways, each runway is marked as left, center or right alongside the numbers and this depends on the direction it faces.

Los Angeles is a large airport with more than three runways. Each runway is labeled as 6L, 6R, 7R and 7L despite all the runways being parallel at an angel of 69 degrees. For clarity in radio communications, these numbers are mentioned individually to avoid miscommunication that may result for clarity issues (Laura, 2014). Los Angeles Airport has nine passenger terminals with each terminal being served by a shuttle bus. These terminals are organized to create a letter U. Besides the terminals are cargo facilities that cover about 190,000 square meters

In conclusion, airport runways are key elements in the operations of an airport because they control the taking off and landing of aircrafts. Therefore, it is important to regulate the operations of runways not only to avoid traffic but also potential accidents. Passenger terminals, cargo facilities and taxi service should be organized to harmoniously operate so that airports can operate efficiently and effectively. Lastly, it is equally important to ensure clarity in radio communications to avoid potentials mistakes in the landing and taking off of aircrafts that may cause unnecessary traffics.

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