Earth moves in Manchester

MANCHESTER AIRPORT is renaming its runways because the earth has moved. From this month, runways 24R/06L and 24L/06R will become 23R/05L and 23L/05R, because magnetic north has moved and their compass headings have changed.

Runways are named according to their compass headings, shortened to two digits. Because aircraft navigate by compass, the runways must be renamed as their heading has dropped below 235 degrees.

An airport spokesman says: "The magnetic poles are constantly drifting around and at present, magnetic north is heading out of Canadian territory into the Arctic Ocean at about 10 miles per year. That means magnetic north is on the move and so our runway has shifted on the compass from 24 to 23 and this name change reflects that shift." µ