Perth Airport NAP 1: Preferred Runways
This NAP lists the preferred runways as:
Priority 1: Arriving Runway 21/ Runway 03/ Runway 24 and departing Runway 21/ Runway 03/ Runway 06
Priority 2: Arriving Runway 06
Priority 2: Departing Runway 24
Under Priority 1 (Landing and Departing), although the NAP states either of the three named runways are equally preferred, this does not mean that they are equally used, rather that there is no preference in the use of the runways and the conditions of the day will determine the preferred runways used. The runway combinations (modes) used under these priorities for southerly (when winds are predominantly blowing from the south) and northerly (when winds are predominantly blowing from the north) traffic flow are:
Priority 1.1 (Southerly Flow):
Arriving Runway 21 or Runway 24 and departing Runway 21
Priority 1.2 (Southerly Flow single runway)
Arriving and departing runway 21
Priority 1.3 (Northerly Flow):
Arriving runway 03, departing runway 03 or 06
Priority 1.4 (Northerly Flow single runway)
Arriving and departing runway 03
Priority 2.1 (Southerly Flow):
Arriving and departing runway 24*
*Only departures are Priority 2
Priority 2.2 (Northerly Flow):
Arriving and departing runway 06*
*Only arrivals are Priority 2
Weather, in particular wind speed and direction, is generally the main factor in determining which runways are in use, as aircraft operate safest when taking off and landing into the wind. Air traffic control (ATC) will determine the optimal runway to be used based on wind and weather conditions, type of aircraft, traffic conditions and runway availability. Pilots can also request a runway that is best suited to the capability of their aircraft.
ATC monitor wind and runway selection at all times, as weather conditions can quickly change. Once the runway is chosen, it needs to be available for an extended time to allow pilots to plan their descent, approach and landing. As this involves predicting developing weather, aircraft may continue to land on a runway when local weather conditions no longer appear to require it.
For more information on runway selection and seasonal winds, please visit this page.
The report below provides the percentage use for of each operating mode for each month and a daily breakdown across the month (hover over each day in the column graph and the mode, the number of movements and the percentage use on that day will appear). “Other Operations” refers to modes used when preferred modes are not available, due to things like runway works, adverse weather and emergency situations. Priority 2.1 and 2.2 only report on movements that are under Priority 2 in the NAP (i.e. departing Runway 24 and landing Runway 06). Note runway works on the long Runway (Runway 03/ Runway 21) in late 2024 has affected the preferred runway use figures for that time period.
The report is best viewed in full screen mode.
Note: Due to rounding, percentage values may not sum to exactly 100.0%. Minor discrepancies of up to ±0.1% are expected and do not indicate any errors in the underlying absolute figures, which remain accurate and unaffected.
