Backtaxi

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Backtaxi is a term used in aviation circles, to describe the process of turning an aircraft around by 180 degrees, usually at the end of a runway. An aircraft will usually backtaxi if it has to taxi normally along a runway to reach the end, rather than using a taxiway. An aircraft will usually only do this if there are insufficient taxiways to align itself on the runway normally.

An example of where backtaxi was needed could be the Tenerife disaster, where Boeing 747s at Los Rodeos Airport needed to backtaxi in order to taxioff, due to shortage of taxiways.