How are taxiways designated?

• A. By color only.
• B. By length.
• C. Alphanumerically, such as A or A1.
• D. By the direction of traffic.

Answer: (C)

Taxiways are designated using alphanumeric codes. The main taxiways are given letters, and any branch or connecting taxiway that extends from a main taxiway gets a numeric suffix to indicate its relationship to that main path. This system provides a clear, scalable way to identify exact routes on the movement area, which is essential for pilots, ground crews, and emergency responders to navigate and communicate, especially on busy or complex airports. It also keeps taxiway naming distinct from runway numbers and from color or length cues, which aren’t reliable for routing. In practice, you look for the lettered taxiway, then the numeric suffix if present, to reach your desired location or incident site.