by Jonathan Hunt, Unit Operations Specialist–Halifax Tower, NAV CANADA
One of the recommendations featured in the European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (EAPPRI, published in 2017) was that “Different taxiways on the same aerodrome should not have the same or similar designations especially on different sides of the same runway.”
At that time, CYHZ had two taxiways (Delta and Foxtrot) which crossed a runway. Given this geography, vehicle operators and controllers used non-standard colloquialisms to differentiate each portion of Delta or Foxtrot (i.e., long Delta or new Foxtrot). Further adding risk to ground operations was the fact that CYHZ has runway numbers which are reciprocals (23 and 32). Errors could and did occur by controllers, vehicle operators and flight crews such as “proceed/taxi Delta hold short Runway 32” when “hold short Runway 23” was intended.
In the fall of 2019, as part of NAV CANADA’s participation in the Halifax Airport Runway Safety Team, a request was made of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) that one portion of those taxiways be renamed.
After consideration by the safety group at HIAA, the taxiways were renamed in the spring of 2021.
Taxiway Delta is now only the portion between Runway 05/23 and Apron I, while Taxiway Kilo is now the portion between Runway 05/23 and Runway 14/32, southeast of 05/23.
Taxiway Foxtrot is now only the portion between Taxiway Golf and Runway 14/32, while Taxiway Lima is now the portion between Runway 14/32 and Runway 05/23, northeast of 14/32.