The forecast for Rarotonga International Airport in Avarua shows the likely direction aircraft land from and take off towards. Actual runway use can differ because of air traffic control, traffic, weather and local procedures.
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What the forecast means and how it is calculated.
Runway direction describes which runway direction an airport is likely to use. At Rarotonga International Airport, this means aircraft land from a certain compass direction and take off towards the matching runway direction.
The calculation compares current wind direction with known runway headings. The runway with as much headwind and as little crosswind as possible is preferred.
Rarotonga International Airport is located near Avarua in Cook Islands. The airport has 1 runway, the longest is about 2.328 m. Field elevation is about 6 m.
The actual decision is made by air traffic control. Closed runways, traffic, storm cells, noise abatement procedures or operational rules can make real runway use differ from the forecast.
Short answers about runway direction and how to interpret the forecast.
The current card shows the most likely landing direction based on wind and runway heading. With weak or variable wind, confidence can be lower.
The forecast shows the likely departure direction. It is based on the runway direction that offers the best headwind component under current wind conditions.
Air traffic control can decide differently for operational reasons, including traffic, weather cells, runway closures, noise abatement procedures or local arrival and departure routes.
No. The forecast is a calculated estimate and does not replace official information from the airport, air traffic control or airlines.