Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally the magnetic azimuth of the runway's heading in decadegrees.Ī runway numbered 09 points east (90°), runway 18 is south (180°), runway 27 points west (270°) and runway 36 points to the north (360° rather than 0°).Ī runway can normally be used in both directions, and is named for each direction separately: e.g., 'runway 15' in one direction is 'runway 33' when used in the other.įor clarity in radio communications, each digit in the runway name is pronounced individually.