Melbourne Airport has two runways; the main runway, Runway 16/34 (3.7 km long) is orientated north-south and the smaller cross runway, Runway 09/27 (2.3km) is orientated east-west.

The main runway is known as Runway 34 when used in a northerly direction and Runway 16 when used in a southerly direction. Runway numbering reflects the runways’ orientation and correlates with degrees on a compass. Runway 34 is 340 degrees.

The following video explains how runways are named and used.

An Instrument Landing System operates for aircraft landing on Runways 16 and 27, and non-precision approaches are available to all runways.

Runway selection and seasonal winds

Runway selection is based on wind direction, weather conditions, traffic volume and other factors. Aircraft primarily take-off and land into the wind for safety and performance reasons. Therefore, as the wind direction changes the runway in operation may also change depending on the strength of the wind.

This means that Melbourne’s seasonal wind patterns affect usage of the different runway directions. Specifically, Runway 16 tends to be used more frequently in the warmer months due to southerly winds whereas Runway 34 tends to be used more frequently in the cooler months when the predominant wind direction tends to be northerly. The pattern of use of Runway 27 tends to be less clear-cut as it can generally be used with either a northerly or southerly wind, provided the crosswind does not exceed the maximum allowed speed of 20 knots, including gusts.

Runways may be used in combination. For example, Runway 27 may be used for departures while Runways 27 and 34 are being used in combination for arrivals.

Noise abatement procedures

Noise abatement procedures are designed to help reduce the impact of aircraft noise on communities. While they are applied whenever it is possible to do so, their use is not mandatory and is subject to weather conditions and traffic requirements.

The Melbourne Noise Abatement Procedures outline that between 6.00 am and 11.00 pm, when there is not heavy traffic, Runways 16 and 27 are equally preferred for landing. Runway 27 used in combination with Runway 34, and Runway 27 used alone, are equally preferred for departures.

During busy periods between 6.00 am and 11.00 pm, Runways 27 and 34 used in combination and Runways 34 and 09 used in combination are equally preferred.

At night, between 11.00 pm and 6.00 am, the preferred runway for arrivals is Runway 16 and for departures is Runway 27.

Melbourne Airport third runway

Melbourne Airport is seeking approval for a plan to construct a third runway (16R/34L) to run parallel to the existing north-south runway.

Melbourne Airport released its proposal to the public in February 2022, giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback and utilise an interactive noise tool to explore future aircraft tracks. The proposal included detailed planning documents and considered the project’s impact on the community.

The third runway is the subject of Melbourne Airport’s Major Development Plan (MDP) which has been submitted to the Commonwealth government for approval. This MDP will take into account comments and feedback from the public exhibition period (Feb-May 2022).

The new runway will increase the capacity of the airport and allows for simultaneous arrivals and departures. To facilitate new parallel runway operations, changes to airspace architecture including new flight paths and runway operating modes are required. New flight paths for approaches and departures on the new runway, and changes to existing flight paths, will be required.

We expect that the operation of the third runway will result in aircraft noise decreasing in some areas and increasing in others. Should the project be approved, further community engagement will be undertaken by both Airservices Australia and Melbourne Airport throughout the flight path design process. Further information, including an interactive noise tool, can also be found at Melbourne Airport – Melbourne Airport News | Melbourne Airport.