What does runway direction mean?
Runway direction describes which runway direction an airport is likely to use. At London Gatwick Airport, this means aircraft land from a certain compass direction and take off towards the matching runway direction.
The forecast for London Gatwick Airport in London 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
← west
Departures probably head to
→ east
Current weather
26°C
Mäßig bewölkt
Updated: 23.06.2026 11:26 · Cache
Wind 19 km/h
Gusts 26 km/h
Clouds 40%
Forecast confidence: uncertain
Runway & wind
08L/26R → 08L
78° heading
Headwind
5 km/h
Crosswind
18 km/h
Length
2.561 m
Width
45 m
Surface
ASP
Lighting
yes
Airport data
LGW
Large airport
City
London
Country
United Kingdom
Codes
EGKK · LGW
Runways
2 runways
Elevation
62 m
Scheduled service
yes
Lighted runway
yes
Region
GB-ENG
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 London Gatwick 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
London Gatwick Airport is located near London in United Kingdom. The airport has 2 runways, the longest is about 3.317 m. Field elevation is about 62 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 London Gatwick Airport
Short answers about runway direction and how to interpret the forecast.
From which direction do aircraft land today at London Gatwick 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 London Gatwick 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.