Airport Runway Inspections: Transitioning from Conventional Methods to Drone-Based Solutions

This book chapter examines drones as an emerging alternative to conventional runway inspections, assessing their benefits and limitations alongside traditional vehicle‑based methods. It outlines the constraints of current practices—particularly human error, safety risks and operational inefficiencies—before tracing how advances in sensors, deep learning and real‑time analytics are reshaping infrastructure monitoring.

Australian airspace regulations and ethical considerations are analysed to show how policy both restricts and enables drone deployment. Case studies from Grosse Ile Municipal Airport, Custer Airport and remote airports in Northern Canada demonstrate clear gains in inspection efficiency, accuracy and safety, while also revealing persistent challenges such as weather dependency, GCP placement and regulatory complexity.

Drawing these threads together, the chapter provides targeted recommendations for government agencies and airport operators seeking to integrate drones into runway maintenance in a safe, effective and future‑focused way.