What does runway direction mean?
Runway direction describes which runway direction an airport is likely to use. At Kirkwall Airport, this means aircraft land from a certain compass direction and take off towards the matching runway direction.
The forecast for Kirkwall Airport in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands 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.
Landings probably arrive from
← northeast
Departures probably head to
→ southwest
Current weather
15°C
Leichter Regen
Updated: 07.08.2026 13:44 · Fallback cache
Wind 33 km/h
Gusts 51 km/h
Clouds 100%
Rain 1 mm / 3 h
Forecast confidence: high
Runway & wind
06/24 → 24
238° heading
Headwind
32 km/h
Crosswind
6 km/h
Length
1.183 m
Width
46 m
Surface
ASP
Lighting
yes
Status
closed
Airport data
KOI
Medium airport
City
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Country
United Kingdom
Codes
EGPA · KOI
Runways
3 runways
Elevation
15 m
Scheduled service
yes
Lighted runway
yes
Region
GB-SCT
Landing
Takeoff
Wind
Airport
The map shows a simplified view of where aircraft are likely to land from and where they take off towards. Actual use can differ.
Runway direction at Kirkwall Airport
What the forecast means and how it is calculated.
How is the forecast calculated?
The calculation compares current wind direction with known runway headings. The runway with as much headwind and as little crosswind as possible is preferred.
Airport facts
Kirkwall Airport is located near Kirkwall, Orkney Islands in United Kingdom. The airport has 3 runways, the longest is about 1.430 m. Field elevation is about 15 m.
Important to know
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.
Forecast timeline
stays similar
direction changes
medium confidence
uncertain
Show details
Frequently asked questions about Kirkwall Airport
Short answers about runway direction and how to interpret the forecast.
From which direction do aircraft land today at Kirkwall Airport?
The current card shows the most likely landing direction based on wind and runway heading. With weak or variable wind, confidence can be lower.
In which direction do aircraft take off today at Kirkwall Airport?
The forecast shows the likely departure direction. It is based on the runway direction that offers the best headwind component under current wind conditions.
Why can the real runway direction differ?
Air traffic control can decide differently for operational reasons, including traffic, weather cells, runway closures, noise abatement procedures or local arrival and departure routes.
Is this an official airport source?
No. The forecast is a calculated estimate and does not replace official information from the airport, air traffic control or airlines.