Runway Resurfacing and Lighting Project

Rothera Research station in Antarctica is home to the UK’s gravel runway, constructed in 1990 to allow air transit to the continent from the nearby Falkland Islands and Chile. The runway is now essential for flight operations and international deep field science.

The Runway Resurfacing and Lighting project was launched to resurface the original runway and install new runway lights. This culminated in energy-efficient  runway lighting and a modern control system installed in 2023 to ensure safe flying operations are maintained.

The new lighting included Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI), Abbreviated Precision Approach Path Indicators (APAPI) and Runway End Identifier Lights (APAPI). In 2024 the runway was resurfaced  restoring the camber to enhance drainage, minimise snow and ice build-up and repair minor surface pot holing. To ensure long-term resilience the runway was slightly extended on existing land at the southern end bringing the runway to 903 metres in length and creating a southern turning pad.

The Runway Resurfacing and Lighting project received the Project of the Year award (£10-25 million category) at the National Building & Construction Awards in 2024.