Logan Reopens Runway 27 After Safety Upgrade
Massport reopened the Boston Logan International Airport runway after months of construction on a new arresting system.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Air Travel
Massport reopened Runway 27 at Boston Logan International Airport on November 13, 2026, after months of closure for safety construction. The work installed an Engineered Material Arresting System designed to slow and stop planes that overrun the runway.
Why it matters
The Engineered Material Arresting System is required by the Federal Aviation Administration and adds a safety buffer at the end of the runway. Its reopening restores capacity at one of Boston's principal airports.
The bridge deck supporting the arresting system is designed to hold a fully-loaded 747 jet, about 1 million pounds. Crews worked around the clock, and the source does not give the closure length or project cost.
The players
Massport
The Massport agency operates Boston Logan International Airport and oversaw the runway safety project.
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the U.S. agency that regulates civil aviation and requires the arresting system.
The details
Crews installed a bridge deck at the end of Runway 27 to support an Engineered Material Arresting System, which is designed to slow and stop planes overrunning the runway. Crews worked 24/7 to complete the project before the holiday travel season.
Timeline
Runway 27 was closed for months of construction before reopening.
Massport announced the reopening on November 13, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The reopening lands ahead of the holiday travel season, when Logan typically sees heavy passenger volume. The FAA-required Engineered Material Arresting System is now in service on Runway 27 for that peak period.
Travelers flying from Boston Logan over the holiday season may find Runway 27 back in service. The arresting system adds a safety buffer at the end of the runway that the FAA requires.
The takeaway
Runway safety upgrades like the Engineered Material Arresting System add a protective buffer for planes that overrun a runway. Travelers can expect Logan's runway capacity to be fully restored going into the holiday season.
Further reading
For more on flying out of the city, see Air Travel coverage for Boston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Boston.
