Inclement weather creates havoc at airports, particularly during peak travel periods. Major snowstorms generally align with holiday travel periods, increasing airport flight disruptions.
As a result of a major winter storm, snow, black ice, and slush create major difficulties for aircraft during takeoffs, landings, and low-altitude flying.
Ground operations are also severely affected, including fueling, de-icing, servicing, and baggage handling vehicles.
Airport authorities must make timely decisions to ensure minimal weather disruption and fewer travelers are affected.
The impact on airport operations depends on how well the airport is prepared for the storm. According to DTN, a firm providing weather forecasts, analytics, and data insights, airports can make the right decisions about handling the situation in the aftermath of a winter storm.
Effective de-icing of aircraft
- Aircraft de-icing: Application of specialized chemical de-icers and anti-icing agents to prevent ice formation
- Time and cost constraints: Timely and effective treatment to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum delays
- Environmental constraints: The use of environmentally friendly products to minimize environmental impact
Ice accumulated on aircraft is a major disrupter in outgoing flights. Departing aircraft must be thoroughly sprayed with special de-icing fluid to remove ice, particularly on the control surfaces. The challenge with de-icing is determining when and how to de-ice the aircraft. A number of factors are involved in the process.
From outside air temperature and the type of icing on the aircraft to potential taxi delays at the airport, timely and effective treatment becomes necessary.
The airport authorities must get the timing right because a de-icing treatment only lasts so long. Treating the control surfaces too early means they may ice again, and treating them too late may cause delays at the airport.
According to the DTN Aircraft leGuard,
"DTN Aircraft Ice Guard supports de-icing decisions by combining ground weather observations and forecasts with wing temperature observations and forecasts to calculate the wing temperature and type of ice. Wing-specific temperature is critical for operational decisions as it can be as much as 8 degrees colder than the surrounding air temperature."
Moreover, it is essential to predict if a certain type of precipitation is likely to change rain or wet snow into ice at low temperatures, requiring de-icing. Airports must anticipate such things, particularly during winter weather, to ensure that sufficient time, equipment, and materials are available to de-ice aircraft.
Keeping taxiways and runways clear
Knowing that the airport has an efficient process of de-icing aircraft as they get ready to depart, taxiways and runways must be clear to keep airport operations running. Effectively maintaining taxiways and runways during winter weather conditions also requires a precise balance of timing and treatment.
Failing to treat runways with appropriate methods and materials may result in unforeseen delays and closures. Every disrupted flight is not only a revenue loss for the airport but also incurs costs. On the other hand, unnecessary treatments of runways and taxiways mean loss of money and resources.
"For the Ute Inverna! Barajas in Madrid, DTN collected two years' worth of thermal mapping data measurements, in addition to historical data, to optimize the configuration of its weather solution. These insights help airport operators make confident 'treat or don't treat decisions."
These timely decisions go a long way in determining how many flights (and travelers) will be affected during the given period. Moreover, proper planning and timely decision-making can significantly minimize the event's economic, financial, and brand (reputation) impact.
Effective coordination of response teams
- Automated weather monitoring systems: Ensuring accurate and real-time data on weather conditions, including temperatures, precipitation, as well as forecasts
- Smart runway sensors: Sensors embedded in runways can detect ice formation and snow accumulation
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): To accurately map, manage, and optimize airport operations during inclement weather
- Team coordination: Establishing clear communication mediums to ensure effective coordination between snow management teams, air traffic control, and ground operations staff
- Real-time updates: Updates to pilots, airlines, ground personnel, and passengers regarding airport conditions and potential disruptions.
Effective planning and coordination of response teams are essential in ensuring airports run smoothly during winter weather or after a major snowstorm. Large airports have specialized weather response teams that coordinate all processes deemed outside normal operations.
These teams work with various internal and external partners, including ground handlers, de-icing units, material supply agents, and airlines. The FZAG project leader of flight ops engineering at Zurich Airport, Veit Voges, emphasizes the importance of airport adaptability during varying weather by stating,
"Where possible, we have to adapt to unfavorable circumstances by making sure runways are cleared in time and airplanes are properly de-iced, without sending out the crews too soon. Careful planning and anticipation are crucial. These activities not only cost money, but they also have substantial environmental impacts.”
At Zurich Airport, having a trusted weather partner and a weather committee to coordinate and oversee airport operations proved critical for airport operations. Voges explained,
"When different teams and departments within FZAG used different sources for their weather information, coordinating action was really difficult. Now we have a single platform with a very good presentation, easy to read, and understandable for all users. In our operations center, there is a large screen continuously displaying the latest DTN weather information, including precipitation and lightning maps, all in a way that makes the most important information easily visible. It's a single source of accurate information that makes our winter operations smooth, efficient, and above all, safe.”
Training and safety protocols
- Training of personnel: Ensuring all personnel involved in snow management are trained in equipment, processes, and protocols
- Safety measures: Establishment and implementation of safety measures to protect personnel in inclement weather conditions
Inclement weather not only disrupts aircraft operations but also increases safety risks for airport personnel, particularly those on the ground. Airports must train and equip their personnel for such events to ensure safe operations. From appropriate clothing and rest breaks to implementing safe practices during work, response teams must be well-prepared to tackle such situations.
