Details about the project

On 30 March 2008, Edinburgh Airport started a project to completely resurface and rehabilitate the main runway. The cost of the project, £16 million, is being met by BAA entirely. Once complete, it will extend the lifespan of the runway for at least another ten years.

The project involves over 150 workers and over 130,000 man hours. More than 25,000 tonnes of new asphalt is being laid down and over 1,000 runway lights are being replaced.

The runway must be closed to all aircraft movements when resurfacing is being undertaken to ensure the safety of those carrying out the work. That is why work is being carried out at night, between 23:00 and 05.45, Sunday to Friday. However, the main runway will still be used during the day. Occasional work may also take place on Friday and Saturday nights, however the bulk of the project will take place outside of these nights.

When work on the runway is ongoing, all aircraft wishing to land at or take off from Edinburgh Airport will have to use the secondary runway (12/30). This is the old Turnhouse runway that was used before the main runway was opened in 1977. 

The secondary runway has remained an operational runway for the last 30 years although it only handles around two or three aircraft on an average day. However, from 30 March and on each night between 23:00 and 05.45, Sunday nights through to Friday mornings, all aircraft will have to use this secondary runway.

Because of this schedule of work, Edinburgh Airport estimates the resurfacing project will last for approximately eight months. The project is on schedule to be completed by the end of November.