Southwest Enhances Runway Safety with Honeywell Technology at Paris Air Show 2025

Southwest Airlines Advances Runway Safety with Honeywell Technology at Paris Air Show 2025

At the Paris Air Show 2025, Southwest Airlines announced a significant enhancement to its runway safety protocols by committing to the deployment of Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its entire Boeing 737 fleet. This initiative builds upon the airline’s existing use of Honeywell’s Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), which is already installed on more than 700 aircraft within its operations.

Enhancing Pilot Awareness and Runway Safety

SmartRunway and SmartLanding technologies deliver real-time aural and visual alerts to pilots during critical phases of flight, including taxiing, takeoff, and landing. These systems are designed to prevent unstable approaches and runway incidents by warning flight crews if the aircraft is moving too quickly, approaching at an unsafe altitude, or aligned with the incorrect runway. Certified for use on most Boeing and Airbus models as well as various business jets, the software aims to reduce the risk of runway excursions and misalignments by providing early warnings in the event sequence.

Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines, emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety, stating, “Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network.”

Strengthening a Longstanding Partnership

This agreement further solidifies the longstanding collaboration between Southwest and Honeywell. Southwest, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 737 aircraft, previously selected Honeywell’s flight-deck systems for its 240-unit order of 737 MAX aircraft in 2015. This complemented its existing fleet of 737 Next Generation models already equipped with Honeywell avionics. Notably, Southwest was the first airline to integrate Honeywell’s Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology, underscoring its role as an early adopter of advanced avionics.

Jim Currier, President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, highlighted the evolving challenges faced by pilots, including unpredictable weather and congested airspace, which demand rapid decision-making during takeoff and landing. He remarked, “As the challenges evolve, so does the technology that provides the information they need in real time. Southwest is continuing to put pilots and passengers first by investing in SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its fleet.”

Implementation Challenges and Market Impact

While the initiative marks a clear commitment to safety, it also presents operational challenges. Retrofitting the existing fleet with new software involves significant costs and requires meticulous integration with current avionics systems. Additionally, comprehensive pilot training on the new technology is essential to ensure its full effectiveness.

The announcement has been met with positive reactions from industry observers, who suggest that Southwest’s investment in advanced safety technology could enhance investor confidence and potentially improve the airline’s stock performance. This move may also encourage competitors to accelerate their adoption of similar runway safety solutions, thereby intensifying competition within the aviation technology sector.

Future Developments in Runway Safety Technology

Looking ahead, Honeywell is developing its Surface Alerts (SURF-A) runway safety technology, which is anticipated to receive certification for commercial air transport aircraft in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. SURF-A integrates GPS data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment, and advanced analytics to provide pilots with direct alerts regarding potential runway traffic conflicts. Like SmartRunway and SmartLanding, SURF-A will be enabled through Honeywell’s EGPWS platform, promising further advancements in cockpit situational awareness.