This view down a boulevard, with street lights on either side, is reminiscent of the view down an airport runway.
This burning car in Frank's lot looks somewhat similar to a jet aircraft with flames coming from its engines.
View from inside Frank's car: After a heist, Barry opens a roll-up door so that Frank can maneuver the car into a storage area. This view is similar to what an airplane pilot might see when pulling into a hangar.
In Thief, there are several references to aircraft and flying. For example, in the diner scene, when Frank is describing to Jessie his prison experience, he says of the warden there, "If that slob was a penologist, I'm a jet airplane pilot." And in an earlier scene, when Frank is ordering his lot attendant to move some cars around, three of the auto models he mentions are Mercury, Mark IV, and Cougar. We note that Mercury is also the name of an aircraft company, and Mark IV and Cougar are types of aircraft.
