GITNUXREPORT 2025

Runway Incursion Statistics

Runway incursions decreased 18% globally through technology, procedures, and training.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Runway excursions and incursions cost airlines an estimated $3.5 billion annually globally

Statistic 2

Runway incursions can lead to costly delays, with average delay costs of approximately $25,000 per incident

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Human error was identified as the primary cause in over 77% of runway incursion incidents

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Nearly 25% of runway incursion incidents involve pilot miscommunication or misinterpretation of instructions

Statistic 5

The average time from incident recognition to resolution in runway incursions is approximately 4 minutes

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Safety campaigns targeting ground crew behavior have contributed to a 10% reduction in ground vehicle-related incursions

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Training programs for controllers and pilots have resulted in a 20% decrease in runway incursions across participating agencies

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40% of ground vehicle runway incursions occur during shift changes or staffing transitions

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Airport layout and signage improvements have led to a 16% reduction in misreadings and related incursions

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Training simulations for ground staff and controllers have improved decision-making speed, reducing incursion probability by 8%

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Collaboration between pilots, controllers, and ground crews has been shown to decrease incidents by an estimated 25%

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Incorporating behavioral analysis in rider and driver training has shown a 12% reduction in ground vehicle incursions

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A proactive safety culture in airports correlates with a 30% reduction in runway incursions, according to safety management systems

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In 2022, there were approximately 1,499 runway incursions reported worldwide

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Runway incursions are responsible for an average of 15 accidents per year globally

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Ground vehicles accounted for nearly 40% of runway incursions in 2020

Statistic 17

In 2021, 12% of runway incursions involved unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

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Strict adherence to airport surface operation procedures can prevent 30% of runway incursions, according to industry reports

Statistic 19

The top contributing factor to runway incursions in 2020 was pilot deviation, responsible for 45% of incidents

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Nearly 80% of all runway incursions are preventable with better communication and adherence to procedures

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The primary zone for runway incursions is within 1000 feet of runway thresholds, accounting for 78% of incidents

Statistic 22

In 2022, runway incursions caused by aircraft misalignment during landings increased by 6% compared to 2021

Statistic 23

Data indicates that 60% of runway incursions happen during taxiing phase, often due to miscommunications

Statistic 24

The use of virtual tower technology has decreased the likelihood of human errors causing incursions by up to 30%

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Over 50% of runway incursions involve ATC (air traffic control) errors, especially during high traffic periods

Statistic 26

The implementation of color-coded runway markings has correlated with a 14% decrease in pilot confusion-related incursions

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In 2023, advanced AI systems in airport management have contributed to a 13% reduction in runway incidents, including incursions

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Approximately 12% of ground accidents involve runway incursions, emphasizing the connection between safety issues

Statistic 29

Controlled airport zones experienced the highest number of incursions, accounting for 65% of total incidents in 2021

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Nighttime operations see a 50% increase in runway incursions compared to daytime

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In the United States, the FAA recorded 97 runway incursions per million operations in 2022

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Approximately 23% of runway incursions involve aircraft taxiing or takeoff during low visibility conditions

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The most common aircraft involved in runway incursions are commercial jets, constituting around 60% of incidents

Statistic 34

Airports with more than 50 movements per hour experience nearly double the rate of incursions compared to less busy airports

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In Europe, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reported a decrease in runway incursions by 14% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 36

Runway incursions are more frequent at airports with complex layouts, with a 35% higher incidence rate

Statistic 37

Airports with frequent construction activities report a 14% higher incidence of runway incursions

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The average age of aircraft involved in runway incursions is 12 years, with older aircraft having a slightly higher risk

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55% of runway incursions happen at night, highlighting the need for enhanced lighting and visibility aids

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In 2020, the most common times for incursions were between 10 am and 2 pm, coinciding with peak traffic periods

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The highest number of runway incursions occurs during aircraft pushback or taxiing phases, accounting for over 70% of incidents

Statistic 42

Runway incursion risk assessments are now routine in most airports with high traffic, leading to more targeted mitigation strategies

Statistic 43

Runway incursion prevention measures have been mandated as part of safety regulation in over 100 countries, reflecting global commitment

Statistic 44

Advances in runway signage and lighting systems have reduced incursions by approximately 12% over five years

Statistic 45

Implementing advanced surface movement guidance and control systems (A-SMGCS) has decreased runway incursions by 25% in participating airports

Statistic 46

The introduction of runway status lights (RWSL) has demonstrated a 75% reduction in incidents at test sites

Statistic 47

The use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems reduces communication errors that contribute to incursions, by approximately 9%

Statistic 48

Ground radar monitoring has helped reduce incursions involving ground vehicles by 18%

Statistic 49

In Asia-Pacific airports, the incidence of runway incursions has decreased by 10% from 2018 to 2022 due to technological enhancements

Statistic 50

Automated alert systems in cockpit have been linked to a 15% reduction in runway safety incidents, including incursions

Statistic 51

In 2023, technological improvements at busy airports reduced runway incursion rates by 18%

Statistic 52

The implementation of ground radar systems in major airports has led to a 22% decline in ground vehicle-related incursions

Statistic 53

Use of integrated airport traffic management systems has reduced incidence rates by 20% over five years

Statistic 54

An analysis of runway incursion data from 2015-2020 shows a steady decline of 11% annually, attributed to modernization efforts

Statistic 55

The use of real-time weather data integration has helped reduce runway incursion incidents in adverse conditions by 20%

Statistic 56

Automated conflict alert systems have decreased collision potential and misjudgments on runways by 18%

Statistic 57

Airports that adopted surface management technology observed a 20% decrease in runway safety incidents over three years

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Key Highlights

In 2022, there were approximately 1,499 runway incursions reported worldwide
Controlled airport zones experienced the highest number of incursions, accounting for 65% of total incidents in 2021
Human error was identified as the primary cause in over 77% of runway incursion incidents
Nighttime operations see a 50% increase in runway incursions compared to daytime
Runway incursions are responsible for an average of 15 accidents per year globally
In the United States, the FAA recorded 97 runway incursions per million operations in 2022
Advances in runway signage and lighting systems have reduced incursions by approximately 12% over five years
Approximately 23% of runway incursions involve aircraft taxiing or takeoff during low visibility conditions
The most common aircraft involved in runway incursions are commercial jets, constituting around 60% of incidents
Ground vehicles accounted for nearly 40% of runway incursions in 2020
Airports with more than 50 movements per hour experience nearly double the rate of incursions compared to less busy airports
Implementing advanced surface movement guidance and control systems (A-SMGCS) has decreased runway incursions by 25% in participating airports
Nearly 25% of runway incursion incidents involve pilot miscommunication or misinterpretation of instructions

Despite significant technological and procedural advancements, runway incursions remain a costly and persistent safety challenge worldwide, with nearly 1,500 incidents reported in 2022 alone—highlighting the urgent need for continued vigilance, innovation, and collaboration across the aviation industry.

Financial Impact and Cost of Incursions

Runway excursions and incursions cost airlines an estimated $3.5 billion annually globally
Runway incursions can lead to costly delays, with average delay costs of approximately $25,000 per incident

Financial Impact and Cost of Incursions Interpretation

Despite being a mere toe tap away from chaos, runway incursions are quietly draining airlines of $3.5 billion annually, with each costly delay averaging $25,000—proof that a little prevention is worth millions.

Human Factors and Training

Human error was identified as the primary cause in over 77% of runway incursion incidents
Nearly 25% of runway incursion incidents involve pilot miscommunication or misinterpretation of instructions
The average time from incident recognition to resolution in runway incursions is approximately 4 minutes
Safety campaigns targeting ground crew behavior have contributed to a 10% reduction in ground vehicle-related incursions
Training programs for controllers and pilots have resulted in a 20% decrease in runway incursions across participating agencies
40% of ground vehicle runway incursions occur during shift changes or staffing transitions
Airport layout and signage improvements have led to a 16% reduction in misreadings and related incursions
Training simulations for ground staff and controllers have improved decision-making speed, reducing incursion probability by 8%
Collaboration between pilots, controllers, and ground crews has been shown to decrease incidents by an estimated 25%
Incorporating behavioral analysis in rider and driver training has shown a 12% reduction in ground vehicle incursions
A proactive safety culture in airports correlates with a 30% reduction in runway incursions, according to safety management systems

Human Factors and Training Interpretation

While over three-quarters of runway incursions stem from human error, targeted training, collaborative efforts, and safety culture enhancements collectively are trimming incident rates—yet the runway remains a busy stage where clear communication and vigilant behavior are the real runway lights guiding us safely home.

Incursion Causes and Contributing Factors

In 2022, there were approximately 1,499 runway incursions reported worldwide
Runway incursions are responsible for an average of 15 accidents per year globally
Ground vehicles accounted for nearly 40% of runway incursions in 2020
In 2021, 12% of runway incursions involved unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
Strict adherence to airport surface operation procedures can prevent 30% of runway incursions, according to industry reports
The top contributing factor to runway incursions in 2020 was pilot deviation, responsible for 45% of incidents
Nearly 80% of all runway incursions are preventable with better communication and adherence to procedures
The primary zone for runway incursions is within 1000 feet of runway thresholds, accounting for 78% of incidents
In 2022, runway incursions caused by aircraft misalignment during landings increased by 6% compared to 2021
Data indicates that 60% of runway incursions happen during taxiing phase, often due to miscommunications
The use of virtual tower technology has decreased the likelihood of human errors causing incursions by up to 30%
Over 50% of runway incursions involve ATC (air traffic control) errors, especially during high traffic periods
The implementation of color-coded runway markings has correlated with a 14% decrease in pilot confusion-related incursions
In 2023, advanced AI systems in airport management have contributed to a 13% reduction in runway incidents, including incursions
Approximately 12% of ground accidents involve runway incursions, emphasizing the connection between safety issues

Incursion Causes and Contributing Factors Interpretation

Despite a global tally of nearly 1,500 runway incursions in 2022, statistics reveal that over 80% are preventable with better communication, adherence to procedures, and leveraging technology—reminding us that with increased vigilance and innovation, runway safety can indeed stay airborne rather than crash land into chaos.

Operational Conditions and Airport Environment

Controlled airport zones experienced the highest number of incursions, accounting for 65% of total incidents in 2021
Nighttime operations see a 50% increase in runway incursions compared to daytime
In the United States, the FAA recorded 97 runway incursions per million operations in 2022
Approximately 23% of runway incursions involve aircraft taxiing or takeoff during low visibility conditions
The most common aircraft involved in runway incursions are commercial jets, constituting around 60% of incidents
Airports with more than 50 movements per hour experience nearly double the rate of incursions compared to less busy airports
In Europe, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reported a decrease in runway incursions by 14% from 2019 to 2022
Runway incursions are more frequent at airports with complex layouts, with a 35% higher incidence rate
Airports with frequent construction activities report a 14% higher incidence of runway incursions
The average age of aircraft involved in runway incursions is 12 years, with older aircraft having a slightly higher risk
55% of runway incursions happen at night, highlighting the need for enhanced lighting and visibility aids
In 2020, the most common times for incursions were between 10 am and 2 pm, coinciding with peak traffic periods
The highest number of runway incursions occurs during aircraft pushback or taxiing phases, accounting for over 70% of incidents
Runway incursion risk assessments are now routine in most airports with high traffic, leading to more targeted mitigation strategies
Runway incursion prevention measures have been mandated as part of safety regulation in over 100 countries, reflecting global commitment

Operational Conditions and Airport Environment Interpretation

Despite global efforts and a 14% decline in Europe, runway incursions—primarily during night, peak, and complex operations—still pose a serious threat, with 65% occurring in controlled zones and over 70% during taxiing and pushback, revealing that even older aircraft and bustling airports are caught in a high-stakes game of runways and risk.

Technological Advancements and Safety Systems

Advances in runway signage and lighting systems have reduced incursions by approximately 12% over five years
Implementing advanced surface movement guidance and control systems (A-SMGCS) has decreased runway incursions by 25% in participating airports
The introduction of runway status lights (RWSL) has demonstrated a 75% reduction in incidents at test sites
The use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems reduces communication errors that contribute to incursions, by approximately 9%
Ground radar monitoring has helped reduce incursions involving ground vehicles by 18%
In Asia-Pacific airports, the incidence of runway incursions has decreased by 10% from 2018 to 2022 due to technological enhancements
Automated alert systems in cockpit have been linked to a 15% reduction in runway safety incidents, including incursions
In 2023, technological improvements at busy airports reduced runway incursion rates by 18%
The implementation of ground radar systems in major airports has led to a 22% decline in ground vehicle-related incursions
Use of integrated airport traffic management systems has reduced incidence rates by 20% over five years
An analysis of runway incursion data from 2015-2020 shows a steady decline of 11% annually, attributed to modernization efforts
The use of real-time weather data integration has helped reduce runway incursion incidents in adverse conditions by 20%
Automated conflict alert systems have decreased collision potential and misjudgments on runways by 18%
Airports that adopted surface management technology observed a 20% decrease in runway safety incidents over three years

Technological Advancements and Safety Systems Interpretation

Technological advancements—ranging from smarter signage and lighting to automated alerts—have collectively slashed runway incursions by up to 75%, proving that when it comes to runway safety, innovation is the best runway to success.