LED Airport Lighting

LED Airport Lighting for Hangars, Terminals, Parking Areas, and Facility Spaces

LED airport lighting can refer to many different applications. For commercial and facility lighting projects, common areas include aircraft hangars, airport terminals, concourses, maintenance areas, parking lots, parking garages, recessed can retrofits, exterior building lighting, and support spaces.

Runway lighting and airport apron operation lighting require specialized aviation systems and are outside the scope of standard commercial fixture replacement. For airport buildings and surrounding facility areas, commercial and industrial LED fixtures can help improve visibility, reduce maintenance, support long operating hours, and provide durable lighting for demanding airport environments.

Our uplighting retrofit kits were installed at Denver International Airport.

Selection and Installation Note: Product specifications, wattage, lumen output, beam angle, color temperature, voltage, dimming, controls, mounting hardware, environmental ratings, certifications, and warranty coverage vary by model. Confirm the selected product specification before ordering. For airport buildings, hangars, terminals, parking areas, electrical upgrades, emergency lighting, exterior fixtures, code-sensitive applications, or safety-critical spaces, verify requirements with your local inspector, facility team, project specifier, or a licensed electrical professional.

Airport Lighting Applications We Commonly Support

Most airport lighting upgrades involve building, parking, maintenance, or property lighting. The correct fixture depends on the space type, ceiling height, mounting method, environmental exposure, voltage, controls, and maintenance access.

How to Choose LED Lights for Airport Buildings

Airport buildings often operate for long hours and may have a mix of public, staff, maintenance, and secure-access spaces. Fixture selection should start with the space type and installation conditions rather than a generic “airport light” category.

• Ceiling height: Hangars and tall terminal areas may require high-output fixtures, while offices and corridors may use panels, troffers, or recessed fixtures.
• Mounting method: Confirm whether the fixture will be recessed, surface mounted, suspended, pole mounted, wall mounted, or installed in an existing ceiling opening.
• Color temperature: 4000K is often used in passenger-facing and office areas. 5000K may be preferred in hangars, maintenance spaces, and task-focused areas.
• Voltage: Airport facilities may have different electrical conditions across buildings, parking areas, and maintenance spaces. Confirm voltage and driver compatibility before ordering.
• Controls: Review dimming, occupancy sensors, photocells, scheduling, and building-control compatibility where needed.
• Environment: Exterior areas, garages, utility rooms, and maintenance spaces may require wet-location ratings, IP ratings, impact ratings, or more durable housings.
• Maintenance access: Fixtures in tall ceilings, garages, and hangars should be selected with service access and long operating life in mind.

Hangar and Maintenance Area Lighting

Aircraft hangars require bright, dependable lighting for maintenance work, inspections, equipment movement, and large open floor areas. High bays and linear high bays are common options, depending on ceiling height, structure, fixture spacing, and maintenance needs.

Before ordering hangar fixtures, confirm ceiling height, voltage, mounting method, beam angle, controls, lift access, and whether the area has dust, humidity, equipment movement, or other environmental concerns. Some hangars may also require emergency lighting or battery backup options depending on the project.

Terminal, Concourse, and Interior Building Lighting

Airport terminals and concourses need lighting that supports passenger movement, staff visibility, and a clean interior appearance. Fixture choices may include high bays in tall open areas, recessed fixtures in public spaces, panels and troffers in offices, and wall-mounted or architectural fixtures in corridors and common areas.

For public-facing interiors, review glare, color temperature, dimming, fixture appearance, ceiling compatibility, and maintenance access. Existing recessed fixtures may be good candidates for LED retrofit kits where the goal is to improve performance while keeping the ceiling layout and appearance largely unchanged.

Our LED recessed can retrofit kits are installed at Miami International Airport.

Airport Parking and Exterior Facility Lighting

Airport parking areas need dependable exterior lighting for drivers, pedestrians, staff, and security visibility. Parking lots may use pole-mounted LED parking lot lights or shoebox fixtures. Parking garages may use canopy, vapor tight, or garage-rated fixtures depending on ceiling height, layout, and exposure.

Exterior building areas may use wall packs, flood lights, canopy lights, or area lights for entrances, access doors, service areas, and perimeter visibility. For exterior fixtures, confirm wet-location rating, IP rating, mounting height, glare, spill light, controls, photocell compatibility, and neighboring properties.

Controls and Long-Hour Operation

Many airport facilities operate long hours, which makes controls and fixture reliability important. Depending on the area, controls may include dimming, occupancy sensors, photocells, scheduling, or integration with building systems.

Controls should be selected by zone. A parking lot may need dusk-to-dawn operation. A storage room may benefit from occupancy sensors. A terminal space may need scheduled dimming or building-control integration. Confirm control compatibility on the selected fixture before ordering.

Airport Lighting Certifications, Rebates, and Warranty Support

LED airport lights from LED Lighting Supply carry a safety listing such as UL, ETL, or CSA, depending on product. Many models are DLC or DLC Premium listed for utility rebate support where available. Rebate requirements vary by utility, region, and product listing, so confirm eligibility on the selected product specification before ordering.

Most LED airport lights include a 5-year warranty unless otherwise specified, with USA-based warranty support. Before purchase, confirm certifications, DLC status, voltage, controls compatibility, mounting method, environmental ratings, and whether the fixture is right for the airport layout and surrounding conditions.

Common Airport Facility Lighting Mistakes

• Confusing commercial facility lighting with aviation-specific lighting: Hangars, terminals, parking areas, exterior building lighting, and support spaces use different products than runway lighting or airport apron operation lighting.
• Using one fixture type across every airport space: Hangars, terminals, garages, offices, and exterior areas usually require different fixture families.
• Choosing by wattage alone: Lumen output, beam angle, mounting height, fixture spacing, and controls matter more than wattage by itself.
• Ignoring maintenance access: Tall ceilings, garages, and hangars can make fixture service more difficult, so long-life fixtures and proper mounting should be reviewed.
• Mixing color temperatures in adjacent public spaces: Inconsistent CCT can make terminals, corridors, and concourses look uneven.
• Forgetting exterior ratings: Parking lots, garages, entrances, and service areas may need wet-location ratings, IP ratings, or impact-resistant construction.
• Not confirming voltage and controls: Airport buildings and exterior areas may use different voltage and control configurations.
• Assuming every certification applies: UL, ETL, DLC, DLC Premium, IP, IK, emergency, dimming, and sensor compatibility vary by model.

Contact us about airport facility lighting, and our Product Specialists can help review hangar fixtures, terminal lighting, recessed retrofits, parking lot lights, parking garage fixtures, exterior building lights, voltage, controls, environmental ratings, and product specifications.

LED Airport Lighting Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Key Considerations When Selecting LED Lighting for Airports

When selecting LED lighting for airports, consider the specific application such as hangar, terminal, or parking lot lighting. Ensure the fixtures offer the appropriate color temperature and beam angle for the area. Verify that the lights have the necessary certifications like DLC Premium and UL Listed for safety and efficiency. Additionally, check for features like adjustable wattage and color to optimize lighting for different zones.

How Do LED Lights Improve Airport Operations

LED lights enhance airport operations by providing consistent and bright illumination, which improves visibility for both staff and passengers. They offer significant energy savings and reduce maintenance costs due to their long lifespan and solid-state design. These lights also support adjustable brightness and color for different operational needs, enhancing both safety and comfort.

What Are the Benefits of Using LED Lighting in Airport Parking Lots

LED lighting in airport parking lots offers uniform coverage and improved visibility, enhancing safety for travelers and staff. These lights can directly replace older systems like 400W metal halide, providing energy savings and reducing maintenance needs. Ensure the fixtures have an IP65 rating for outdoor use to withstand weather conditions.

Why Is Color Temperature Important in Airport Lighting

Color temperature is crucial in airport lighting as it affects visibility and comfort. 4000K is ideal for warm environments, while 5000K is suited for task-oriented areas. Selecting the right color temperature enhances operational efficiency and passenger experience by reducing glare and eye strain.

What Certifications Should Airport LED Lights Have

Airport LED lights should have DLC Premium certification for energy efficiency and rebate eligibility, UL Listed for electrical safety, and ETL Listed for product safety compliance. These certifications ensure the lights meet high safety and performance standards, providing reliability in demanding airport environments.

How Can LED Lighting Reduce Maintenance Costs at Airports

LED lighting reduces maintenance costs by eliminating the need for frequent bulb and ballast replacements due to its solid-state design. These lights often operate maintenance-free for over ten years, minimizing costly service interruptions and ladder work.

What Voltage Compatibility Is Required for Airport LED Lighting

Most airport LED lighting fixtures are compatible with 100V-277V input, accommodating standard building electrical systems. Verify voltage requirements on the spec sheet to ensure compatibility with existing circuits, especially for retrofits.

What Is the Importance of Beam Angle in Airport Lighting

Beam angle is important in airport lighting as it determines the coverage area and focus. A 120-degree beam angle is recommended for general terminal lighting, while a 60-degree beam is better for focused task areas. Selecting the right beam angle ensures optimal illumination and efficiency.

How Does LED Lighting Enhance Safety in Airport Environments

LED lighting enhances safety by providing superior visibility and reducing glare, which helps both staff and passengers navigate the airport more comfortably. The high CRI ensures accurate color perception, crucial for security and operational tasks.

What Warranty Support Is Available for Airport LED Lighting

All airport LED lights come with at least a 5-year warranty and USA-based support. This ensures prompt resolution of any warranty issues, maintaining the operational reliability of your airport lighting systems.