Understand
Heathrow's Northern Runway undergoes overnight tarmac replacement
Overview
Specialist teams at Heathrow Airport are undertaking overnight resurfacing work on the Northern Runway to remove embedded aircraft tyre rubber and maintain infrastructure. Operating within a strict five-hour window each night, 230 workers mill away the old surface, lay new asphalt, and apply paint markings before the first morning flight lands at 06:00.
Key points
- Heathrow's Northern Runway is undergoing resurfacing work every night over a three-month summer period, replacing about 75 metres of runway per night.
- The maintenance is required due to approximately 10kg of plane tyre rubber becoming embedded into the runway surface, and is typically undertaken every 10 to 12 years.
- A team of 230 specialist workers has a strict five-hour window starting at around 10:45pm to clear, mill, repave, and inspect the runway.
- The old surface material is recycled into local roads or used in the construction industry.
- Operations must be completed and handed back by 05:45 to ensure the first flight can land safely at 06:00, as delays would impact nationwide UK airspace.