Runways to be renamed

In future, two of the three runways at Cologne Bonn Airport will have new names after more than 60 years. From Thursday, April 18, 2024, the large runway will be called 13L/31R and the small runway 13R/31L. The name of the crosswind runway 06/24 will remain the same. The runway designator will be visible from the air as a marker on the runways on approach. The large intercontinental runway has borne its name since 1961, the small parallel runway even longer.
 
"The names of the runways in international air traffic are based on the compass rose. The number indicates the angle of the runway in relation to the geomagnetic north pole," explains Markus Moi, Head of Flight Operations at Cologne Bonn Airport, who is coordinating the renaming. 
 
As the Earth's magnetic field is in motion, the North Pole shifts by several kilometers every year. "This leads to minimal deviations in the decimal point range, which are tolerated. However, if the deviation becomes too large, German air traffic control decides to change the name," explains Moi. The crosswind runway, which was called 07/25 when it opened in 1954, was therefore also renamed 06/24 in 2006. There are no changes to the approach and departure routes as a result of the renaming. These remain identical.
 
The replacement of signs and markings has been started in good time. Both runways will be approached under their current names 14L/32R and 14R/32L until the deadline. The Civil Engineering, Flight Operations, Airport Training Center, Geodata/Documentation, Safety & Compliance and Electrical Engineering departments are involved in the complex project of renaming the runways during ongoing operations. An important partner is German Air Traffic Control (DFS). 
 
Many processes at the airport will be adapted as part of the renaming. The technology of the instrument landing system must be recalibrated. IT systems and meteorological equipment require updates. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), the "Aerodrome Manual" and other documents will be updated.