The 3 main reasons why UK airports can’t cope with snow but colder countries can
AIRPORT runways were forced to close over the weekend after parts of the UK were hit by heavy snowfall.
Manchester Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Birmingham Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport were among the travel hubs affected by the snowy conditions.
Some flights were delayed and cancelled, while others were diverted, leaving passengers stranded.
Weather warnings remain in force across much of the UK on Monday morning.
With more snow and rain forecast for later in the week, Brits looking to jet off abroad may be wondering why airports in the UK struggle to cope when snow falls.
Snowfall and ice can create difficult conditions at airports, including low visibility, runway skidding, and delays in loading luggage into the hold.
UK airports generally tend to see ‘wet snow’, which often turns into ice and slush, making it harder to clear.
Former Heathrow Airport Met Office meteorologist, Andrew Ward, told Sun Online Travel: “There are two different types of snow – dry and wet.
“We have wet snow in the UK, with a lot more moisture in it, and that’s what causes disruptions.
“Wet snow is more of a problem as it turns to slush and ice, which is more difficult to clear than dry snow that can be easily blown or swept away.
“It makes it harder to keep the airport running smooth as there are additional hazards of ice, and aircraft need de-icing.”
It means staff at UK airports need to be extra vigilant when clearing snow and ice, which can cause longer delays.
According to Aviation Source News, snow is easier to clear when temperatures dip below -2C.
This is because all the moisture in the snow is frozen, with the ‘dry snow’ becoming easier to shift.
It’s just one reason why airports in colder countries are able to operate despite regular snowfall.
For example, in Finland, snow is cleared off runways and planes are de-iced within 15 minutes.
Staff who work at airports in colder countries are also more experienced when it comes to managing and clearing snowfall.
This experience allows staff to expertly clear snow from airports, while staff at airports in warmer countries might struggle more in harsh conditions.
Airports in colder countries are likely to have more equipment that will help to banish snow more quickly.
For example, Helsinki Airport has a fleet of 200 vehicles and machines, ranging from snow ploughs to chemical sprayers, which are all on standby to clear its runway.
UK airports also have similar resources – although not as many, with Heathrow Airport reportedly having seven de-icing machines.
Planes aren’t only de-iced, but they’re also treated with anti-ice.
This helps to prevent ice from building up when the plane takes off, meaning flights can still operate when it’s snowing.
What actually happens when a plane is de-iced?
LAST year, travel reporter Hope Brotherton watched the British Airways team at Heathrow Airport de-ice planes in real time, here’s what happened.
There’s a secret area on the airfield at Heathrow Airport called the Jedi Zone and it’s where British Airways staff de-ice aircraft.
When I visited last January, I was greeted by a man named Dale Walsh who is the Winter Operations and Aircraft Appearance Manager at British Airways.
Dale told Sun Online Travel: “When we first started Jedi, we had to bring the aircraft in via wands, so a man would stand out there and bring in the aircraft.
“From the tower, looking down at night, they looked like something from Star Wars because all they could see were lightsabres being waved about, so it got the nickname Jedi.”
While the area isn’t quite its own galaxy or a film set, it provides a crucial service, especially when there’s a cold snap in the UK.
While the bottom half looks like a regular lorry, there’s a small cab on top, which I can only liken to a crane.
From the cab, a member of staff can drive both the lorry and operate the controls that are used to de-ice planes – and it’s safe to say the planes certainly feel their force.
There are two places where the British Airways team can de-ice an aircraft at Heathrow Airport.
Dale added: “You can do it on stand at the gate where customers board or you can do it at a remote de-icing facility.
“Doing it on stand, you have to either do it before all services arrive or after the service has arrived; however, de-icing a narrow-body aircraft takes between 15 to 20 minutes, while a wide-body aircraft can take 30 to 35 minutes, so you immediately face a departure delay.”
“Having a remote de-icing facility means that the aircraft can be fully loaded and can leave to stand on time, and while on its taxi to the runway, it can come through the remote de-icing facility we have here.
“If it does that, we can treat the aircraft in 5 to 6 minutes, depending on size.”
You can read more about how planes are de-iced, here.
Meanwhile, here’s how to get to a secret viewing platform at Heathrow Airport.
Here’s a clever airport hack that lets you avoid the crowds.