Aeromexico to equip more than 100 Boeing 737s with Honeywell runway collision alert technology

Aeromexico plans to equip its fleet of more than 100 Boeing 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX aircraft with Honeywell Aerospace‘s new Surface Alerts (SURF-A) runway safety system. The Mexican carrier would be the launch customer for the technology designed to help prevent runway collisions.

Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the agreement will see SURF-A deployed as a software upgrade to the airline’s existing Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). It would allow pilots to receive real-time warnings of potential runway conflicts.

Airlines and regulators have increased their focus on runway safety following a series of high-profile incidents in recent years. The FAA launched a runway safety summit, increased funding for airport safety improvements and accelerated work on technologies designed to reduce the risk of runway incursions.

SURF-A provides pilots with earlier runway collision warnings

Honeywell says SURF-A gives pilots both aural and visual alerts if their aircraft is on a trajectory that could lead to a collision with another aircraft on the runway.

The system combines GPS positioning, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data and advanced software analytics to monitor aircraft movements around airports.

If a potential collision is detected, pilots receive warnings approximately 30 seconds and 15 seconds before a possible impact, with an audible alert and a “traffic on runway” message displayed in the cockpit.

Honeywell says the additional warning time allows flight crews to recognise the threat and take corrective action before an accident occurs.

“Safety is one of the core tenets of Honeywell Aerospace, and we designed this technology to help give pilots the precious time they need to recognise hazards and take corrective action to avoid what could be a fatal accident,” said Jim Currier, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace. “We commend Aeromexico for its intention to become an early adopter of this accident-prevention technology at a time when airports are busier than ever.”

Aeromexico to become launch customer

Aeromexico Chief Operations Officer Santiago Diago said the airline’s investment reflects its longstanding focus on operational safety.

“Safety has always guided Aeromexico’s investment decisions,” Diago said, adding that its plans to become the launch customer for SURF-A, reflect the airline’s “continued commitment to adopting innovative technologies that can further strengthen flight safety.”

The software is expected to enhance pilot situational awareness during taxi, take-off and landing, acting as a “third set of eyes” in the cockpit.

Runway safety remains a global industry priority

Investment in runway safety technology has accelerated following a series of high-profile runway incursions and near misses that prompted renewed action from regulators worldwide. In the United States, the FAA recorded 1,636 runway incursions in fiscal year 2025. 

Pilot deviations account for around 60% of runway incursions, with operational incidents and vehicle or pedestrian deviations each representing about 20%. 

The FAA has expanded runway safety programmes, encouraging wider adoption of cockpit alerting technologies.

FAA certification planned from late 2026

Honeywell expects SURF-A certification for several Boeing aircraft types to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026, and to continue through 2027.

Because the technology is available as a software upgrade for aircraft already equipped with Honeywell’s EGPWS and TCAS systems, airlines can add the capability without major hardware modifications.

Expanding Honeywell’s runway safety portfolio

SURF-A is the latest addition to Honeywell’s runway safety product family, which already includes the FAA-certified Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) along with SmartRunway and SmartLanding.

According to Honeywell, those runway safety technologies are installed on more than 6,000 commercial aircraft worldwide, representing roughly one quarter of the global commercial fleet.

The company has continued to expand adoption of these systems, with Southwest Airlines completing installation of SmartRunway and SmartLanding across its fleet of more than 700 aircraft last year.