Rename taxiways in MSFS 2020 with the Scenery Editor, covering path names, signs, ATC routing, stock-airport overrides and package testing.
To rename taxiways in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, use Developer Mode's Scenery Editor inside an airport scenery project. Change the Name property on every affected Taxiway Path segment, update the separate taxiway signs, build the package, and load it from the Community folder. Never edit the simulator's stock package files directly.
This is scenery development rather than an in-game airport setting. Our overview of the tools needed to edit an MSFS airport explains how the Project Editor, Scenery Editor and Package Builder fit together.
How do I rename a taxiway in the Scenery Editor?
The reliable method is to edit the airport's routable Taxiway Path objects and compile the changes as a separate scenery package.
- Enable Developer Mode. On the PC version of MSFS 2020, open General Options, select Developers and turn Developer Mode on.
- Open or create the airport project. Use the Project Editor to create a scenery package and asset group, then open the Scenery Editor. For an existing airport, the project must define an airport override using the same ICAO identifier. Follow the correct airport override workflow rather than changing files under the Official installation folders.
- Deal with the existing taxiway network. Taxiways belonging to compiled stock or third-party scenery may be visible but not selectable. In that case, use the airport-level option that deletes the underlying taxiways and recreate the routing network in your project. This removes the whole stock network, so it is not a shortcut for changing one label.
- Select every affected Taxiway Path. Open its properties and change the Name value. A taxiway is normally divided into several path segments at junctions, parking links and runway entries; assign the new name to every segment that belongs to it.
- Add the designation if necessary. MSFS stores taxiway names in the airport's taxiway-name list and has each path reference one of those entries. If the required name is absent from the selector, add it to that list before assigning it.
- Update the signs separately. Select each Taxiway Sign object and edit its inscription. Renaming a path does not automatically rewrite nearby signs, painted labels, decals or custom models.
- Build and test the package. Save the project, build it through the Project Editor and install the resulting package in the Community folder. Reload the airport, request taxi instructions and test routes from several stands and runway ends.
Take care not to rename parking links, runway paths or service routes simply because they touch the taxiway. Their path type and connections affect how ground ATC constructs a route.
What does each taxiway edit actually change?
The path name controls routing data, while signs and painted designations are separate visual objects.
| Item edited | What changes |
|---|---|
| Taxiway Path name | The designation attached to that routable segment and used by airport routing logic |
| Taxiway Sign inscription | The visible sign face only |
| Painted label, decal or custom model | The visible ground marking or bespoke sign asset |
| External charts and published airport data | Nothing; a local scenery package does not revise real-world charts or data outside the simulator |
After editing, compare the result with the airport layout and confirm that the signs and taxiway markings describe the same route. A visually correct sign does not prove that the underlying path carries the correct name.
Why does ATC still use the old taxiway name?
MSFS ground ATC reads the compiled taxiway network, not the lettering displayed on a sign.
- One or more short path segments still have the old name.
- The stock network was not deleted, leaving overlapping old and new routes.
- Another airport package is active and takes precedence over the edited package.
- Two copies or builds of the same project are installed in the Community folder.
- The recreated network is disconnected, causing ATC to choose a different route.
- The airport was not fully reloaded after the package was rebuilt.
Remove duplicate packages, inspect every junction and confirm that consecutive nodes connect cleanly from parking to runway. Our explanation of conflicting scenery and incorrect ATC taxi instructions covers the wider causes when the editor data and spoken route disagree.
Will the renamed taxiways survive an MSFS update?
A separately built Community package is not normally overwritten, but an update can change the base airport underneath it and create duplicate or misaligned objects.
Keep the editable project source, not just the compiled package. After an airport or world update changes that location, check the taxiway network again and rebuild the override if necessary.
Can I rename MSFS 2020 taxiways on Xbox?
No. Creating and installing this kind of airport scenery requires the PC version, its Developer Mode tools and access to the Community folder. Xbox users cannot directly edit an airport or install a locally built Community package.