Every flight begins and ends on the ground. Before take-off and after landing, aircraft travel along a network of taxiways that connect the runways with the terminal, cargo areas and maintenance hangars. A wrong turn on a taxiway can lead to a runway incursion, so airports use a precise system of markings, signs and lights.
What a taxiway is
A taxiway is a defined path for aircraft to move on the ground. Taxiways are named with letters (A, B, C, spoken as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie), sometimes with numbers for connectors (A1, A2). A taxi clearance from ground control lists the route, for example "taxi to holding point Runway 07 via Alpha, Bravo".
Watch: taxiways in 60 seconds
Taxiway markings
- Yellow centreline: runway markings are white; taxiway markings are yellow. Pilots keep the nose wheel on the centreline.
- Runway-holding position markings: two solid and two dashed yellow lines across the taxiway. An aircraft on the solid side must stop and wait for clearance before crossing onto the runway.
- Edge markings: show where the paved surface suitable for aircraft ends.
Taxiway signs
- Mandatory instruction signs: white text on a red background, for example a runway designation at a holding point. Do not pass without clearance.
- Location signs: yellow text on a black background, telling the pilot which taxiway they are on.
- Direction signs: black text on a yellow background, with arrows to other taxiways.
Taxiway lights
- Blue edge lights and green centreline lights guide aircraft at night and in low visibility.
- Red stop bars at runway holding points are switched off by ATC only when the aircraft is cleared to enter the runway.
For the runway side of the system, read runway lighting systems explained.
Rapid exit taxiways
At busy airports, rapid exit taxiways leave the runway at a shallow angle so landing aircraft can turn off at higher speed. The runway is cleared sooner and the next aircraft can land, which increases runway capacity.
Who manages the taxiways?
Ground controllers issue taxi clearances, apron control and marshallers guide aircraft to their stands, and airport operations teams inspect pavements, markings and lights. Taxiway design and management is a core topic in airport operations and aviation management.
Quick revision
- Runway markings white, taxiway markings yellow.
- Holding point: solid lines on the holding side; stop and wait for clearance.
- Signs: red = mandatory, black = location, yellow = direction.
- Lights: blue edges, green centreline, red stop bars.
Learn aviation the practical way
At the Department of Aviation, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, concepts like this are taught in the classroom and seen in action on airport visits. Explore our programs, test yourself with the free aviation skill test, watch more explainers on the podcast page, or call +91 96000 04836.