The Cost of Inaction: How Backup Runway Lighting Avoids $10 Million Losses at Airports

Commercial airports are expected to run flight operations 24/7. However, even with the most sophisticated airfield lighting systems, unexpected failures can and do occur. The incident at Jorge Chávez International Airport – the main airport in Peru in June 2024 is a stark reminder of what can happen when backup runway lighting systems are inadequate.

A failure in the primary runway lighting at Lima Airport caused the cancellation of 286 flights over nearly ten hours, affecting more than 21,720 passengers and leading to economic losses exceeding $10 million. Travellers faced significant inconvenience and setbacks as flights were delayed, cancelled, or diverted to other airports.

 

Why Backup Runway Lighting is A Must-Have for Airports

 

The Lima Airport incident shows that every international airport needs reliable backup airfield lighting. This isn’t just good practice—it’s an absolute necessity.

Even with a brand-new wired system in place, having a backup plan is essential, as unforeseen events such as natural disasters, unexpected technical failures, or security threats can occur at any moment. And with S4GA’s Backup Runway Lighting airports get the flexibility needed for various scenarios.

Keeps Airport Operational 24/7

With our backup lighting system, airports can remain fully functional and active, allowing flights to continue smoothly until the main lighting is fixed. This ensures that landings and takeoffs proceed safely without significant delays.

Easy Installation and Operation

Designed specifically for emergency scenarios, our system can be deployed quickly – within just 20 minutes. It’s activated with a single button press and can be controlled wirelessly from the ATC Tower, making it incredibly user-friendly and efficient during critical situations.

Compliant with International Aviation Regulations

All airfield lights produced by S4GA have undergone rigorous testing and are certified to comply with ICAO, FAA, EASA (Europe), and CASA (Australia) norms. This ensures that our backup systems meet the highest safety and performance standards required by international aviation.

Extra Features of the S4GA Backup Airfield Lighting

The S4GA Backup Runway Lighting system has numerous features that make it a preferable choice by airports among other suppliers of similar solutions.

• The backup system is stored in a Trailer, which serves as a safe storage place, allows for easy transportation, and functions as a charging base for the lights. The Trailer is equipped with a drop-in charging system, making it easy to operate the lights and keep them ready to go 24/7.
• The system is highly autonomous and can operate for up to 15 days without recharging.
• By adding solar panels to the lights, the S4GA backup runway system can be easily converted to permanent airfield lighting for long-term operations.

S4GA’s backup runway lighting systems have been successfully implemented in various airports worldwide, highlighting the practical benefits and essential role in maintaining airport operations. They are not just a contingency plan but an essential component for ensuring continuous and safe airport operations. Check out more in this video.

 

S4GA’s backup runway lighting is vital for international airports, ensuring reliability and continuous flight operations. By investing in backup runway lighting, airports can operate smoothly, no matter the circumstances. Reliable, portable, and efficient—S4GA systems are the ultimate safeguard for continuous airport operations.