Friday, March 29, 2024

DFW Airport Runway Status Light Installation Update: Extension of Partial Closure and American Airlines Flex Schedule

This is an update on DFW’s Runway Status Light Installation Program.  In short, the weekend closure of Runway 18L/36R was cancelled due to the construction being ahead of schedule.  However, due to issues with the concrete installation at the south end of Runway 18L/36R, the scheduled partial closure will be extended through Thursday, June 29.  Additionally, American Airlines will be flying its Flex Schedule on select days during the summer, including this Sunday, June 25.   More information on each of these topics is noted below.

Schedule Partial South Closure (RWSL Installation:

As DFW Airport continues with the runway closures necessary for FAA’s ongoing installation of the Runway Status Lights (RWSL), for your awareness, the weekend full closure initially scheduled for this weekend will be cancelled due to construction being ahead of schedule.  However, due to issues with the concrete installation at south end of Runway 18L/36R, the scheduled partial closure, which was scheduled to be completed on June 25, will be extended through Thursday, June 29 to continue ongoing work of FAA’s installation of Runway Status Lights (RWSL).

What to Expect:  During the remainder of the partial closure, Friday weather forecasts show winds coming from the south at 5 – 10 mph, with potential thunderstorms Friday night/Saturdaymorning and gusts as high as 20 mph.  Winds will shift to the north on Saturday and remain from the northerly and easterly, with winds at 5 – 10 mph.  Light easterly winds will persist through Thursday.  In general, because aircraft take off and land into the wind, when winds are southerly aircraft take off to the south and land from north to south.  When winds are northerly, aircraft take off to the north (or northwest in the case of the use of Runway 31L) and land from south to north.  When surface winds are light and variable, takeoff and landing flow may be affected by winds above the surface and/or other operational needs.

The shifts in aircraft operations to other runways during the closure may affect the cities of Southlake, Grapevine, Trophy Club, Westlake, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Coppell, Irving, Euless and Arlington, which could experience some additional aircraft traffic, including:

  • Jet departures on Runway 31L during north winds;
  • Increased arrivals Runway 31R and 35R during north winds;
  • Increased arrivals to Runway 17L and 13R during south winds;
  • Outboard runways will be needed later at night or early in the morning;
  • During the partial south closures of Runway 18L/36R, the runway will be available for day time only limited takeoffs and landings, as determined by the wind flow.

June 12 – June 29 [Partial South Closure of Runway 18L/36R]

  • During the partial south closures of Runway 18L/36R, the runway will be available for day time only limited takeoffs and landings, as determined by the wind flow.
  • The runway will be closed after sunset and before sunriseas well as during any poor weather or low clouds (due to limited visibility of construction zone).
  • If the winds are out of the north, jet aircraft may need to depart Runway 31L.
  • The use of the outboard runways (diagonal runways and Runway 17L/35R) may be extended at night to 11pm.
  • For more information on the Runway Status Lights Program, refer to DFW’s website.
Map of DFW Operations During 18L/36R Partial South Closure

This information has been sent from the DFW Airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Flex Schedule:

Additionally, American Airlines flight schedule will include scheduled flex days in order to keep up with upcoming schedules.  The 7 days that are scheduled for Flex Flying are as follows:

  • Sunday, June 25,
  • Friday, June 30,
  • Sunday, July 9,
  • Sunday, July 16,
  • Sunday, July 23,
  • Sunday, July 30,
  • Sunday, August 6

What to Expect:  During the Flex Days, additional flights are scheduled late at night to accommodate greater numbers of the traveling public.  These additional operations will entail extended use of DFW’s runway, including the outboard runways.  Operations on the outboard runways are expected to extend later than normal and could be as late as 1:00 AM Monday morning.

The DFW Airport encourage citizens with inquiries or complaints to contact them.  You may contact them by email at dfwnoise@dfwairport.com, or on the Noise Complaint Hotline, at 972-973-3192 (manned 24/7).  Follow-up response calls or emails will be provided, when requested.