Why do airports swap their landing and taking off directions?

Planes land and takeoff into the wind. The reason for that is that when landing, the wind passing over the wings will help keep the plane in the air at slower speeds without having to use more thrust. When taking off, the extra wind of the wings will allow the planes to takeoff sooner. As the day progresses, the winds change and you may see different patterns at an airport.

There are a few airports that no matter which way the wind is blowing, they have to use the same runway for takeoffs and landings. The most common is St. Maarten in the Caribbean. The runway sits right on the beach. At the other end of the airport is a massive mountain. Jets cannot land on the side with the mountain; so, they always approach over the beach. There are times when they are landing with a tailwind.

But for the most part, you will see planes changing directions with mother nature. One last thing to mention is that sometimes there are noise restrictions in place that require planes to land on different runways. Those are usually around heavily congested cities and towns.

Planes take off and land into the wind.

If there is any wind, always land and take off into the wind.

Wind directions

Allocation of runways

Available slots.

Wind conditions.

To do with wind direction I believe

Airlines depend upon the prevailing winds to decide this.

To give the people who live under the flight path a break