Circular Runways: The Research & Rationale Behind The Crazy Concept

In 2017, the internet was abuzz with suggestions by Dutch scientists from the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) about the attention-grabbing concept of “circular” or “endless” airport runways. The endless runway was suggested as a way to help reduce cross winds as the aircraft would always be able to fly into the wind and have other benefits. Since then, there hasn’t been much reporting or follow-up studies on the concept, suggesting it is not being seriously considered. Instead, all-new airports proposed around the world are traditionally designed (like the major new airport for Vietnam’s Ha Noi).