Reduced runway length visual aids (ICAO)
Date issue released
Issue number
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Aviation: Airports
Issue Owner
International Civil Aviation Organization
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Safety Issue Description
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14 standards and recommended practices did not recommend, or provide standardised options for, movement area guidance signs or other visual aids to provide enhanced flight crew situational awareness of temporary changes to the runway length available for take-off.
Issue Status Justification
Amendment 18 to Annex 14, applicable from 27 November 2025, adequately addresses the safety issue through the provision of conspicuous signage for temporary runway length changes.
Proactive action
Action number
AO-2023-043-PSA-01
Organisation
International Civil Aviation Organization
Action Status
Closed
Action description
While not undertaken as a result of these occurrences, Amendment 18 to Annex 14, section 7.4.3 includes a requirement to provide conspicuous unserviceability signage to aerodrome movement areas. Of relevance to the safety issue, this includes:
7.4.3.1 Unserviceability signs shall be provided where there is an operational need to indicate temporary changes to runway declared distances.
…
7.4.3.10 Unserviceability signs shall consist of an inscription in black on an orange background. Unserviceability signs shall be supplemented by a black outline measuring 10 mm in width for runways where the code number is 1 or 2, and 20 mm in width for runways where the code number is 3 or 4.
7.4.3.11 The inscription on an unserviceability sign shall consist of a legible, clear and simple message, only providing the useful and necessary information for the safety of the operation.
7.4.3.12 Unserviceability signs shall be retroreflective…
7.4.3.13 Recommendation.—Where there is a need to enhance the conspicuity of unserviceability signs, they should be supplemented by two red or yellow simultaneously flashing lights.
Figure 20: Examples of unserviceability signs in Amendment 18 to Annex 14