Share
Search
  • Home
  • runway
Sunday, June 4, 2023

DFW Airport Announces Two Runway Closures in April

UPDATE 4/27/2018: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has let us know that workers have finished its latest runway construction project three days ahead of schedule. Flights are now taking off on the normal 18L/36R north/south runway.

DFW Airport has notified the City of Southlake about two runway projects that could affect air traffic in Southlake. One is the weekend closure of Runway 17R/35L from Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 15, and the second closure is the partial closure of Runway 18R/36L starting Monday, April 16 through Monday, April 30. The following information is from the airport.

Runway 17R/35L Closure:

DFW is planning the weekend closure of Runway 17R/35L from Friday, April 13 at 10:00 p.m. through Sunday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m. This is to accommodate installation of electrical duct banks within the runway safety area.

What to Expect:

On Friday night through Sunday, there is the potential for conditions where winds are westerly or northwesterly (West Flow) at 15 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph, such that the diagonal Runways 13R/31L and 13L/31R may be needed for arrivals and/or departures.  The shift in aircraft operations during these weather conditions may affect the cities of Southlake, Grapevine, Trophy Club, Westlake, Coppell and Irving, which could experience some additional aircraft traffic.

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.  Keep in mind that surface winds don’t always dictate flow as winds above the surface and/or operational needs can affect the direction which aircraft take-off and land.

Runway 17R/35L is the primary departure runway on DFW’s east side.  During its closure:

  • North Flow:  When the winds are out of the north or are light/variable:
    • Departures will shift to Runway 35C, which is DFW’s primary arrival runway on the east side.
    • Some departures may shift to the west side of the airport
    • Arrivals will shift from Runway 35C to Runways 35R and 31R on DFW’s east side and Runway 36L on DFW’s west side.
  • South Flow:  When the winds are out of the south:
    • Departures will shift to Runway 17C, which is DFW’s primary arrival runway on the east side.
    • Some departures may shift to the west side of the airport
    • Arrivals will shift from Runway 17C to Runways 13R on DFW’s west side and 17L on DFW’s east side.
  • The use of the outboard runways (diagonal runways and Runway 17L/35R) may be extended at night to 11 p.m.
  • The shift in aircraft operations to other runways during the closure may primarily affect the cities of Coppell, Irving, and Lewisville. Flower Mound, Southlake, Grapevine, Trophy Club, Westlake, Euless, and Arlington could also experience some additional aircraft traffic.
  • The graphic below provides a visual as to how air traffic will be redistributed during the closure.
Air Traffic Redistribution of Traffic During Closure

Air Traffic Redistribution of Traffic During Runway 17R/35L Closure

Runway 18R/36L Partial Closure

Subsequently, DFW is planning the partial closure of Runway 18R/36L from April 16 at 6:00 a.m. until Monday, April 30 at 6:00 a.m.  The partial closure is necessary to accommodate work on the runway involving urgent asphalt shoulder replacement on the south end of Runway 18R/36L.  In preparation, DFW plans to close the runway overnight beginning at 11:00 p.m. on April 15.  The runway will reopen on Monday, April 16 at 6:00 a.m. with the southern-most portion closed for the repairs.

The runway will be available for use during the partial closure as follows:

  • South winds:  Runway 18R will be available for landings.
  • North winds:  The runway will be closed to arrivals.  Arrivals will shift to the departure runway, Runway 36R, requiring departures to shift to Runway 31L.
  • The runway will be closed at night and during periods of reduced visibility.
  • The runway will reopen to full length on April 30 at 6:00 a.m.

What to Expect:

The weather forecast is not known for the closure period.  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.  Keep in mind that surface winds don’t always dictate flow as winds above the surface and/or operational needs can affect the direction which aircraft take-off and land.

Runway 18R/36L is the primary arrival runway on DFW’s west side.  During its closure:

  • North Flow:  When the winds are out of the north or are light/variable:
    • Arrivals will shift from Runway 36L (arrival runway) to Runway 36R (departure runway) on the west side.
    • Departures will shift to Runway 31L
    • Some departures may shift to the east side of the airport
    • Increased arrivals Runway 31R and 35R on the east side;
  • South Flow:  When the winds are out of the south:
    • Little to no change in operations
    •  Runway 18R will still be available for aircraft arrivals.
  • The use of the outboard runways (diagonal runways and Runway 17L/35R) may be extended at night to 11:00 p.m.
  • The shifts in aircraft operations to other runways during the closure may primarily affect the cities of Southlake, Grapevine, Trophy Club, Westlake and Flower Mound.  Lewisville, Coppell, Irving, Euless and Arlington could also experience some additional aircraft traffic.
  • The graphic below provides a visual as to how air traffic will be redistributed during the closure.
Air Traffic Redistribution During Partial Closure of Runway 18R/36L

Air Traffic Redistribution During Partial Closure of Runway 18R/36L

DFW Airport encourages 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.

Closure of Runway 18R/36L from June 16-18

As DFW Airport continues with the runway closures necessary for FAA’s ongoing installation of the Runway Status Lights (RWSL), the DFW Airport would like to bring awareness regarding the upcoming full closure of Runway 18L/36R and FAA’s progress on the installation of Runway Status Lights.  Runway 18R/36L, DFW’s primary arrival runway, will be closed from Friday, June 16 at 11:00 PM through Sunday, June 18 at 4:00 PM, weather permitting, to accommodate the FAA’s ongoing installation work.

Immediately following will continue the scheduled partial south closure of Runway 18L/36R from Sunday, June 18 through Sunday, June 25 for FAA’s ongoing installation of Runway Status Lights (RWSL).

What to Expect:

The weather forecast for the weekend closure are expected to be south at 10 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph.  The weather forecast is not known for the entire partial closure period.  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.  Keep in mind that surface winds don’t always dictate flow as winds above the surface and/or operational needs can affect the direction for which aircraft take off and land.

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

  • Increased arrivals to Runway 17L and 13R during south winds;
  • Jet departures on Runway 31L during north winds;
  • Increased arrivals Runway 31R and 35R during north 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.

Remaining Weekend Closures for the RWSL installation are June 9-12; June 16-18; and June 24-25 [Closures of Runway 18L/36R]

Runway 18L/36R is the primary departure runway on the west side.  During its closure:

  • South Flow:  When the winds are out of the south:
    •    Departures will shift to Runway 18R
    • Arrivals will shift to Runways 13R on DFW’s west side and 17L on DFW’s east side
  • North Flow:  When the winds are out of the north or are light/variable:
    • Runway 36L will be the used for arrivals
    • Runway 31L will be the primary departure runway on the west side.
    • Arrivals also shift to Runways 35R and 31R on DFW’s east side.
  • The use of the outboard runways (diagonal runways and Runway 17L/35R) may be extended at night to 11pm.

Keep in mind that surface winds don’t always dictate flow as winds above the surface and/or operational needs can affect the direction for which aircraft take off and land.

The graphics below depict these closures and their effects on runway utilization:

Map of DFW Operations During Full 18L/36R Closure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 12 – June 25 [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 11:00 PM
    Map of DFW Operations During 18L/36R Partial South Closure

    This map was provided by the DFW Airport.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runway Status Lights:

Runway Status Lights (RWSL) is a fully automatic, advisory safety system designed to reduce the number and severity of runway incursions and prevent runway accidents while not interfering with airport operations.  It is an in-pavement lighting system that works similar to a traffic light which provides a visual signal to pilots and vehicle operators of when it is unsafe to enter/cross or begin takeoff on runway. The system aims to improve air crew and vehicle operator situational awareness through accurate and timely indication of runway usage.  For further information, please see the link to the FAA’s website.

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.

East Side Runway Closure Scheduled for Saturday 2-20

The City has received the following information from DFW Airport Noise Office.

A short term maintenance closure of Runway 17C/35C is scheduled for this weekend, Saturday, 7 November, from 9:30AM to 7:30PM (Revised 2/18/2016 from 8am-6pm). This closure is in support of several maintenance activities including pavement repairs, painting and drain pipe inspections within the runway environment.

The winds are forecast to be from the south for the entire period, ranging from about 10 to 13 mph. Runway 17C/35C is the primary east side arrival runway.

Arriving aircraft that would normally have been routed to 17C/35C will be routed to other operational runways during the closure period with Runway 17L/35R likely to receive most of the rerouted arrival traffic.

More information about the Airport’s planned runway work is available on DFW’s website at the dfwairport.com link: http://www.dfwairport.com/inthecommunity/aircraft_noise.php. We encourage citizens with inquiries or complaints to contact us.

The web address for the Noise Office is dfwnoise@dfwairport.com. The telephone Hotline, 972-973-3192, is manned 24/7. Follow-up response calls or emails will be provided when requested.

Jet Departures Over Southlake Likely on Sunday 11/4

DFW’s Runway 18R/36L will be closed for pavement maintenance from 10:45PM Friday, November 2, 2012 through 4:00PM Sunday, November 4, 2012.  The National Weather Service is forecasting north winds beginning at about 1:00AM Sunday morning, November 4 and lasting all day.  If this forecast proves accurate there will be jet departures from Runway 13R/31L over the cities of Southlake and Grapevine on Sunday.

No jet traffic is anticipated for Runway 13R/31L for Monday and Tuesday, 5 & 6 November:The closure of the west diagonal runway, Runway 13R/31L is planned for Monday, 5 November through Tuesday, 6 November for paving.  North winds are forecast for much of this period.  If this forecast proves accurate there will be no arrival or departure activity over the Cities of Southlake and Grapevine associated with this runway during construction.  Traffic that would normally use Runway 13R/31L will be distributed to the remaining two west side runways for the two day construction period.

Citizens with questions or complaints should visit www.dfwairport.com home page,  and click on NEWS, for information.  Citizens can submit email questions or complaints to dfwnoise@dfwairport.com, or reach the DFW Noise Complaint Hotline at 972-973-3192.  DFW can also be reached at facebook.com/dfwairport, and twitter.com/dfwairport.