Airport's new gritter fleet is ready for the worst winter weather

AS temperatures start to dip, East Midlands Airport says it is ready to deal with wintry weather with a clear plan of action and brand new equipment in place.

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

The airport has been reviewing and testing its annual winter operations plan since the summer to make sure that everyone involved in responding to a snow event is fully prepared when the time comes.

The main aim is to keep everyone at the airport, staff and customers, safe, while minimising disruption to the airport's passenger and cargo operations.

The airport has invested £2.5 million in a fleet of six new snowploughs and a snow-cutter blower which together can clear the runway in 24 minutes and move 5,000 tonnes of snow per hour.

Arport’s operations director Lauren Turner explains what goes into making sure the airport keeps going through the winter.

“We have the equivalent of 100 football pitches of tarmac on the airfield including the runway, taxiway and stands where planes park. It’s a huge operation to keep this free from snow and ice, which is why we start planning as far in advance as August.

“That's when we begin to run through our winter operations plan, testing it with more than 80 staff from airfield operations, firefighting and air traffic control who are at the frontline of responding, as well as with many more members of staff across 14 teams, plus airlines and external contractors, who provide vital support when snow and ice affect operations.

“We ensure our fleet of snow-ploughs and other equipment are ready to go, and that we have enough anti-icing fluid stored and ready to use.