Stansted Airport team prepares for freezing conditions – with training sessions in the sun!

Summer training for the worst of the winter weather is snow joke at Stansted Airport.

As temperatures hit the mid-20s, the team responsible for clearing runways, taxiways and aircraft has been fine-tuning plans.

To familiarise themselves with the airport’s fleet of specialist equipment and snow-clearing techniques, the workers have completed regular training sessions. At the same time, emergency response plans have been revised and updated to ensure they respond efficiently to snow and ice.

Operations director Nick Millar said: “With more than 29 million passengers travelling through London Stansted in all weather conditions each year, it’s a big job to ensure the airfield and runway are always safe and operational.

“Winter brings additional complexities, and a large team of colleagues work together to prepare for snow, no matter how rare it is in this part of the UK.

“We have a robust winter operations plan in place which is reviewed and tested every year to make sure everyone involved in responding to a snow event is fully prepared if and when the time comes.

“One of the key aspects of preparation is ensuring that the airport has the necessary equipment and resources to handle snow and ice effectively.

“The snow team has been conducting inspections and maintenance of its snow ploughs, blowers and other snow removal equipment to ensure they are in good working condition.

“They also check we have sufficient supplies of salt and de-icer to ensure the runway and taxiways are adequately treated during icy conditions.”

The airport’s proactive approach to winter planning extends beyond the runway and airfield to ensure that other facilities, including car parks, airport roads and passenger walkways, are also well prepared.

Mr Millar added: “Our commitment to winter preparedness is to provide a safe and smooth travel experience for passengers, and by proactively preparing early for the season’s challenges, the airport is ensuring it has done all it can to continue flight operations even during the harshest of weather conditions.”