Why Does Manchester Airport Close Due to Snowy Conditions
Manchester Airport has faced multiple runway closures due to heavy snowfall, impacting flight schedules and causing delays for travelers.
Manchester, UK, Snow, Airport, Flight Delays
Manchester: So, it’s been a snowy week in Greater Manchester, and guess what? Manchester Airport had to shut down its runways again. This is the fourth time since Sunday! It’s been a bit of a mess for travelers.
On Thursday morning, they announced the runways were closed at 9 am because of all the snow. They needed to clear it up, but they managed to reopen them just an hour later. Still, flights were delayed by a couple of hours, and some were even canceled. Talk about a hassle!
It seems like every day this week, the runways have been closing because of the icy conditions. The airport first shut down for three hours on Sunday, then again on Monday morning, and once more on Tuesday. It’s been a real struggle.
Even when they reopen, the delays can stick around for the rest of the day. If a plane misses its take-off slot, it can be stuck waiting for hours. That’s no fun for anyone trying to get somewhere.
But why does this keep happening? Well, Manchester Airport is in a spot that gets a lot of snow, especially with those chilly winds coming in. The snow here is often wet, which makes it tougher to clear compared to the dry snow you find in colder places.
When the snow piles up, they have to close the airfield to get their snow-clearing vehicles out. They’ve got over 30 of these machines ready to go, and even a little snow can mean a lot of work. Just one inch of snow means they have to clear thousands of cubic meters!
They use special de-icing fluids to keep the runways safe, and the surfaces are designed to give planes better traction. But when the snow gets too deep, it’s all hands on deck to clear it out quickly.
It’s interesting to note that airports in places like Finland are way better prepared for snow. They start getting ready for winter way ahead of time and have a huge fleet of vehicles to handle the snow. Meanwhile, in the UK, we’re just trying to keep up!
So, while it’s frustrating for passengers, the airport is doing its best to keep things safe and get everyone where they need to go, even if it means a few delays along the way.