There were very definately actual lighted airways, originally designed for the commencement of air mail service in the USA.
Each light was approximately 20 miles apart, and flashing morse signals to indiacate just where the individual lighted towers were.
These were directional, within about 30 degrees of centerline.
The last of these lights/towers were decommissioned in the late 1950's, altho the towers were not removed until years later.
Many were natural gas powered generators, with two lights installed.
If one bulb failed, a photoelectric cell would activate the change mechanism, and the new bulb was moved into place.
All had fences around the installations, to keep persons/amimals away.