Cologne Bonn Airport is giving two of its three runways new names after more than 60 years. The name of the crosswind runway 06/24 will remain the same. From Thursday, April 18, 2024, the large runway will be called 13L/31R and the small runway 13R/31L. The large intercontinental runway has had its name since 1961, and the small parallel runway has had its name even longer. "The names of the runways in international air traffic are based on the compass rose. The number indicates the angle of the runway in relation to the geomagnetic north pole," explains Markus Moi, Head of Flight Operations at Cologne Bonn Airport, who is coordinating the renaming. Since the Earth's magnetic field is in motion, the north pole shifts by several kilometers every year. "This leads to minimal deviations in the decimal place, which are tolerated. However, if the deviation is too large, the German air traffic control will specify a name change," explains Moi. The crosswind runway, which was called 1954/07 when it opened in 25, was therefore renamed 2006/06 in 24. The renaming does not result in any changes to the approach and departure routes. They remain identical. The replacement of signs and markings has started in good time. Both runways will be flown to under their current names 14L/32R and 14R/32L until the deadline. The civil engineering, flight operations, airport training center, geodata/documentation, safety & compliance and electrical engineering departments are involved in the complex project of renaming during ongoing operations. An important partner is the German Air Traffic Control (DFS). Many processes at the airport are being adapted as part of the renaming. The technology of the instrument landing system must be recalibrated. IT systems and meteorological systems require updates. The AIP, the Aerodrome Manual and