UK Airports in Bad Weather Essay

It is obvious that winter is one of the most problematic seasons for different companies connected with transport. Transportation is one of the parts most interested in the absence of snow and ice.

Looking at the situation in the airports it should be stated that there are many cases when the flights are cancelled because of the bad weather, but it is twice irritating when the flights are cancelled because the airports failed to conduct their direct responsibilities and clean the snow.

The UK airports have appeared in the complicated situations as they are to consider the best ways for dealing with snow in order to avoid the situations which happened this year. This paper is devoted to the discussion of the problems which have appeared in the UK airports connected with snow and the ways how these problems may be solved.

Considering the situation which has appeared, it is important to check the facts. The cleaning systems in UK and in Europe differ greatly. Thus, “in Germany, no airport had to shut even though Munich saw temperatures plunge to -27C. In Stockholm only six of 350 flights were cancelled.

Copenhagen had four inches of snow but no disruption” (Adams, Hough, & Bowater 2012, n.p.), at the same time we can see that “by Saturday afternoon BAA had already cancelled a third of flights nine hours before any snow had fallen in a pre-emptive plan to avoid the chaos of previous winters” (Adams, Hough, & Bowater 2012n.p.).

The main reason why the UK airports are closed are the lack of machines which are to deal with the problem. The consequences of the cancelled flights cannot be even predicted as the number of the business negotiations and deals which could be failed because of the inappropriate actions of the airport managers and the government cannot be calculated.

Additionally, many people had to change their plans, refuse from journeys, etc. Thus, the importance of the clean airports and the guarantee of the ability of the UK government to impose this responsibility of the airports should be referred to.

The discussion of the punishment the UK airports should be referred to as it may be one of the main reasons for making those deal with the problem seriously. The punishment is to be provided in order to make sure that the airport governments have made all necessary in order to avoid the problems which have already happened.

In 2010 BA cancelled 2,000 flights only for 6 days which is an enormous number. Heathrow airport was closed until the period of snow and ice was over (BBC News 2011).

It is reported that the UK military organizations offered their services however, the airports refused as they did not expect so much snow (Milmo & Jones 2010). However, the situation could be much better and the number of the airports which cancelled or delayed the flights might be smaller if the military services were accepted.

The number or military vehicles could improve the situation and to make sure that the snow is cleaned. These services should be taken into account for the future cases if the same bad weather is predicted. There is no need to remind about the potential and the transport the military services can offer along with the working power, the employees which may be involved while extreme situations.

Snow ploughs on the tarmac in the UK airports are working constantly after the snow. Additional problems are created with the replacement of the aircrafts in order to meet the new schedule (Daily Mail Reporter 2010). Thus, this is one of the most spread ways for dealing with the show, the snow ploughs.

One of the main problem the UK is facing in this case and the issue which is to be solved in the number of these snow ploughs. Remembering the situation in 2010 when the UK airports were closed and the winter of 2012 when many flights were delayed, it becomes obvious that he number of snow ploughs does not correspond to the necessary needs of the country.

Thus, the problem could be avoided in case the companies paid more attention to it. It should be reminded that the number of such situations may increase as in the light of the global warming the show is going to become the normal issue. Thus, the UK airports should do much to increase the number of snow ploughs and their appropriate functioning during severe winters.

Even though Milmo and Jones (2010) report about the “multimillion-pound investment in snow ploughs, de-icing equipment and salt stocks” (n.p.), the situation still remains catastrophic. Additionally, Mail Online reports about salt storage the UK airports managed to do (Mail Online 2010).

Still, the cases of the airport closure while winter increases and the number of delays is not reduced. Of course, there is nu such a catastrophe with the delays which occurred in winter 2010, still, the cases of the flights cancelation should bother. The UK airports should get ready for severe winters, much snow and the desire to improve the situation.

Here are a number of ways which may be used while severe winters. Of course, snow plows, sweepers, and snow blowers are the most spread instruments while snowfalls, however, it is important to use those appropriately (Reuters 2010).

The appropriate strategy, the developed rules and policies which are to be followed while the extreme situations is one of the guarantees of the success. Additionally, good planning and the ability to predict the disaster may be considered as the half of the future success.

Recommending the UK airports to avoid problems during bad weather, it should be remembered that while sunny summer days the cars and other vehicles usually leave smaller gaps and as a result the smaller safety margin between them and the vehicle in front.

However, the snowy winters presuppose the increase of the gap (International Airport Review 2010). The same should happen in the airports. The schedules should be changed and organized in such a way that the aircrafts’ departure time should be separated with the longer time period.

The slower speed should be applied to as the surface even on the carefully cleaned and prepared tarmac may cause problems in winter while low temperatures. These simple measures may increase the safely of the passengers of the plain and prevent the dangerous incidents (BBC News 2010).

Those who believe that the safety of the traffic in the airport depends on the condition of the tarmac are mistaken as the pilot is the person who “needs bigger safety margins if visibility is lower than normal” (BBC News 2010, n.p.).

Thus, this is the pilot who analyzes the situation, considered the level of danger, chooses the speed and does all possible to prevent the catastrophe. The airports should just offer top quality technical opportunities, that is all. Thus, the responsibility on the safety is laid on the pilot.

Isn’t it the reasons to make up the courses or additional training for pilots with the purposes to improve their knowledge and skills in behaving while extreme situations connected with bad weather?

The use of the precautionary anti-icing chemicals for de-icing is crucial for dealing with high temperatures. However, David Learmount points at the refusal to use salt as the de-icing procedure, “Salt is corrosive to bare aluminium [which is often found on planes].

Instead, less corrosive chemicals like urea are used in the de-icing” (BBC News 2010, n.p.). David Learmount does not point at the particular chemicals which are used, however, it is possible to predict that these chemicals are more expensive that creates additional complications when too snowy winters take place.

Therefore, it may be concluded that e storages of salt should be made along with the storage and use of chemicals. Too snowy winters appear to be too expensive if only specific chemicals are used. The application to less expensive salt may be a good way out for the UK airports.

The next aspect which should be considered as the helpful and inevitable item while handling with bad weather and particularly snow at the airports is the staff. One should understand that staff is crucial. Highly trained and appropriately informed staff is able to cope with the task better and faster.

The number of people, adequately trained people, should not exceed the number of positions and the amount of responsibilities which are to be met. The professional approach to the staff organization, direction and sharing the responsibilities may reduce the time necessary for cleaning the territory of the airport to minimum.

Considering the mistakes of the previous years, the UK airports should remember about the levels of disruption which depends in most cases of the way how busy the airport is. In other words, the more popular airport, the greater number of passengers comes there each time, the more difficult to make sure that everything is followed, all the requirements are met, etc.

For example, “in an airport like Heathrow – much busier than Stockholm-Arlanda – which can often be operating at 98% of capacity, small amounts of disruption can cause rafts of cancellations” (BBC News 2010, n.p.).

The effect on the flights cancellation in the bigger airports is more noticed, therefore, it is important to make sure that the biggest airports of the county are properly cleaned. However, looking at the situation from the perspective of the workers, it is obvious that the airport cannot be cleaned from snow when planes are landing and taking off.

To make sure that the cleaning vehicles are working appropriately the airports should try to change their schedules and delay some of the flights to the smaller airports to make the schedule in the bigger ones freer (Paurus 2012).

Looking at the situation, the heated runways should be used as the most innovative way in combating with snow. This technique will reduce the number of the cleaning machines in the airport and the number of the staff who deal with the problem.

However, it should be mentioned that this innovative strategy requires too much investments and financing. The change of the whole runways is too costly. Additionally, the airport is to be closed for the time until the work is done. It seems unreal even for the biggest airports which income in much higher than the income of the smaller ones (BBC News 2010).

Thus, the inability of the big airports to deal with the problem brings the smaller ones in the same row as they do not have big investors who may finance the project. The creation of a new airport with the implementation of the new innovative system devoted to melting the snow on the runway is one of the ways out.

The UK airports should consider the experience of other airports. Thus, the Helsinki Finland airport reports about the easy way out of the situation. The airport has three runways, and in case of snow, one is closed and others are working, when this first is cleaned, the closed one is changed.

During the heavy shows, two airports may be closed, depending on the level of slow on the runway. The possession of the top quality equipment and other specific items which are necessary for successful cleaning of the closed runway is obligatory (All Voices 2010).

Many Europe airports refer to this particular way of handling with snow as it allows to avoid the airport closure and the flights cancellation. It is important to understand that the UK is able to create two or even three additional runways and make sure that he problems of 2010 and 2011 will never repeat anymore.

Thus, it should be concluded that the UK airports have faced a number of problems connected with bad weather. The snowy winters have created many complications to the airports and the passengers who used those airports. To make sure that the same problem is not going to repeat anymore, the UK airports should search for the way to handle with severe winters.

One of the main and the most spread ways to cope with show at the runways is to use various ploughing, sweeping, and blowing machines (Bowater 2012). This equipment helps to cope with the show. The staff should be appropriately trained and prepared. The use of salt and other chemical substances are helpful in battling with high temperatures.

However, it is important to remember that using these methods the UK airports are going to succeed, however, they are to search for more appropriate ways to deal with show and ice. The innovative warm runways are really effective, however, the price of the implementation of such technology is enormous.

Another piece of advice offered by the Europe airports is the use of three and more runways. When the snow begins to prevent an appropriate flight of the aircrafts, one or two lines should be closed for cleaning and opened again while one or two lines should be colder for cleaning.

The change of the opened and closed runways may help avoid the problem of snow at the runways and flights delay and cancellation. The UK manages to deal with the snow successfully, however, there are some better ways they are to apply to.

Reference List

Adams, S., Hough, A. & Bowater, D. 2012, ‘Britain faces a month of weather chaos as snow wrecks travel plans’, The Telegraph. Web.

All Voices 2010, ‘Helsinki Finland: Airport shows how to deal with snow and ice’. Web.

BBC News 2010, ‘How are airports kept open in cold weather?’. Web.

BBC News 2011, ‘Should airports be fined for bad weather disruptions?’. Web.

Bowater, D. 2012, ‘Weather forecast: Britain braced for month of snow, ice and freezing temperature’, The Telegraph. Web.

Daily Mail Reporter 2010, ‘Latest travel advice: Heathrow airport closes Terminals 1 and 3 and warns passengers to stay away’. Web.

International Airport Review 2010, ‘Ready for the big freeze’, p. 12.

Mail Online 2010, ‘UK weather and snow update: Latest travel advice as the big freeze is set to stay’. Web.

Milmo, D. & Jones, S. 2010, ‘UK snow chaos: some make it home, but thousands still stranded’, The Guardian. Web.

Paurus, J. 2012, ‘Technology vs the elements’, 28 March, International Airport Review, p. 37.

Reuters 2010, ‘Snow causes pre-Christmas travel chaos in Europe 2010’. Web.

Squires, N. 2012, ‘Europe deep freeze reaches North Africa as it claims more than 300 lives’, The Telegraph. Web.