Cuando llegan tormentas de nieve inesperadas, ¿cómo se decide qué pistas priorizar en las operaciones aeroportuarias?

Además del volumen de tráfico y la importancia económica, es crucial evaluar la conectividad que cada pista proporciona dentro del aeropuerto y con otras infraestructuras de transporte. Priorizar las pistas que facilitan la conexión eficiente entre las terminales y los accesos principales puede optimizar el flujo de operaciones. Esto incluye considerar las pistas que permiten una rápida rotación de aeronaves y aquellas que conectan con rutas estratégicas para vuelos nacionales e internacionales. Al garantizar que las pistas más conectadas y cruciales estén operativas, se puede mantener una mayor fluidez en el movimiento de pasajeros y carga,mejorando la resiliencia del aeropuerto frente a tormentas de nieve inesperadas.

Selection of RWY is crucial due to length, valume of operation, T/O and Landing capacities, etc. Moreover, shorten route is important too because of usage of Deicing materials and expedirlting traffic flow

Assess Weather Impact: Evaluate the severity and expected duration of the snowstorm. Runway Utilization: Prioritize runways most frequently used for arrivals and departures. Safety Considerations: Focus on runways with the best visibility and minimal crosswinds. Aircraft Type: Consider runways suited for different aircraft sizes and weights. Emergency Access: Ensure runways that provide easy access for emergency services are cleared. Operational Efficiency: Opt for runways that minimize delays and support efficient traffic flow. Resource Availability: Allocate snow removal equipment and personnel to maintain prioritized runways.

The points l have seen here in the responses, have all been absolutely applicable and valid. The safest runway to use for aircraft landing would surely be the first thing to consider? When an aircraft is on the ground, it may take longer to offload, move, and many other things.

When unexpected snowstorms hit, prioritizing runways in airport operations depends on factors like runway conditions, aircraft size, and traffic volume. Typically, runways critical for the arrivals and departures of larger aircraft are prioritized first. Airport operations teams assess snow accumulation, visibility, and runway friction to make informed decisions, ensuring safety and minimizing delays.

Normally these are identified in the form of primary RWY (longest RWY, precision lights like CATII,III, Shortest TWY to Apron). Emergency protocols are designed keeping in mind the primarily accessible that is designated based on historical wind pattern & ILS systems

Normally winter maintenance plans elaborate on priority 1 areas (primary RWY, TWY & Apron), priority 2 areas (parking lots, primary roads, secondary RWY,TWY and apron) and priority 3 areas (secondary road & other access areas)

Normally a weather briefing by observing the TAF will enable the planning session for a significant weather event. Planning collaboration with external agencies and also internal resources will effectively help manage a weather event at an airport