What is a safety zone?

A safety zone is an area designed to provide a buffer around active runways or taxiways. This buffer serves as a critical safety measure to ensure that there is a physical space separating aircraft operations from other activities, thus minimizing the risk of collisions and enhancing overall airport safety. The existence of a safety zone helps to mitigate dangers by creating a designated area where no unauthorized personnel or vehicles are allowed, allowing for safe operations surrounding high-traffic flight paths.

This safety measure is particularly important as it accommodates the fast pace of air traffic and the need for clear pathways for aircraft, thereby ensuring that ground vehicles and operations do not interfere with flight movements. The designation of safety zones is part of standard airport operational procedures aimed at maintaining safety and security in and around aircraft maneuvering areas.