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Manchester Airport is preparing for snow and ice as temperatures drop and it’s shared some guidance for those who will be travelling soon. Colder weather, particularly snow and ice, can cause disruptions for all travel networks, but the airport says it has taken a range of measures to ensure the potential for disruption is reduced. Passengers travelling to the airport can also do a handful of things to help them get to the airport safely and on time when they are due to travel with the airport sharing some tips to help.
Manchester Airport said: “With more than 20 miles of runways and taxiways – plus a significant road network, miles of footpaths, a train, tram and bus station and several sizeable car parks – keeping it running during the worst of the winter’s weather is no small task. #TravelTipTuesday 🕶️ Breeze through security by staying updated on what you can and can't bring through🎒 Check out our Guide to Going Through Security and stay updated on all regulations⬇️ https://t.co/6Sz3fiCexo pic.
twitter.com/xxwqTUF2rs — Manchester Airport (@manairport) November 19, 2024 “But despite that, significant disruption due to snow and ice is rare because of the work that goes into mitigating the effects.” How passengers can prepare for wintry weather at Manchester Airport Plan your journey in advance The airport encourages passengers to plan their journey in advance, allow extra time and check travel conditions on the way to the airport as snow and ice can cause disruption on road and rail.
Make sure to check travel information via popular apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps and look out for travel news on TV and radio. Train travel can also be affected by cold weather but operators and services like Trainline will update you if your journey is affected by significant delays. Any type of travel is likely to be slower in cold weather so allow extra time, the airport suggests.
Be prepared in case you get stuck en route The airport suggests making sure you are prepared in case you get stuck or significantly delayed en route to the airport. If you are driving, it’s a good idea to have food , a drink, warm clothes, sturdy shoes, a blanket, a phone charger, de-icer, a warning triangle, a torch, a first aid kit and a shovel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester Airport (@manairportuk) If you are on the train, make sure you have a phone charger, warm clothes and things to keep you and your family occupied.
Dress appropriately for the colder weather Make sure you are dressed for the weather in the UK – not just for wherever you are going. If you are going somewhere warm it may seem inconvenient to take a coat, hat, gloves and sturdy shoes with you but you will be glad of them if you face delays on the way to the airport or on your way home, the airport says. Check communication from your airline and airport Keep an eye out for communications from your airline and from the airport.
Your airline will inform you of any significant issues with your flight. Make sure you can access your emails and follow your airline on social media. Some airlines have apps that will send alerts directly to your phone if there are updates.
Manchester Airport said in the event that the airport’s airfield has to close it will post details on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), when it closes and when it reopens and will provide regular updates in the interim. With cold weather and possible snowfall expected, we’re taking steps to minimise disruption ❄️ If you are travelling to the airport in the coming days, please prepare in advance and take extra care. Tips for safe travel 👇 🚆 Rail and bus services may face delays or.
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twitter.com/pMkf8plUut — Manchester Airport (@manairport) November 18, 2024 Be careful Snow and ice can make surfaces slippery so take care. The airport grits and treats all footpaths, walkways and car parks and monitors them throughout the day.
How Manchester Airport prepares for snow and ice Monitoring the weather Weather can vary very quickly across Manchester Airport as it’s surrounded by hills so it uses forecasting systems to monitor the exact air pressure around the airfield, the precise level of the clouds and more. This means that teams at the airport know when snow is likely to start falling as well as the temperature of the tarmac on the airfield and the likelihood of any snow settling. This also helps the airport understand what type of snow is likely to be around.
Snow is easier to clear when the temperature is below -2c because it is drier as all the moisture in it is frozen. Above that temperature, not all the moisture will be frozen meaning it turns to slush and ice that are more slippery and harder to clear. Putting extra staff in place During the winter months, there are extra staff on rotas all over the airport, including an adverse weather standby team who can be deployed depending on the forecast.
A 100-person resilience team is also trained in different roles around the airport who can help out. Items you can't take in hand luggage Treating surfaces all around the airport The airport’s road network, including all the car parks and footpaths, is treated with grit and salt to make sure they are safe for users throughout the winter. Grit isn’t suitable for airfields as it is corrosive and can damage aircraft so the airport uses a de-icing fluid on the runways and taxiways that prevents them from freezing.
The surface of the runway is also slightly grooved to improve grip in cold weather. Specialist snow and ice-clearing vehicles Manchester Airport has a fleet of more than 30 snow-clearing vehicles fitted with ploughs, blowers, brushes and more. Recommended reading: Manchester Airport issues check-in guide for all passengers to follow How early should you arrive at Manchester Airport before a flight? Airlines moving to Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 and what it means for you They can be mobilised quickly and can clear significant snowfall in a short period of time, the airport explains.
Close the airfield when necessary Manchester Airport closes the airfield when snow reaches a certain depth. Doing this allows for the full mobilisation of its fleet of snow-clearing vehicles so that runways can be cleared more quickly. These closures are usually short and are an important safety measure, it explained.
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