Airport Closed due to Snow?

Forums › Off topic › Airport Closed due to Snow?

networkn

Networkn
33020 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15609

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#87300 25-Jul-2011 11:34

Hi There!

Why would airlines not be able to take off and land in snowy conditions in Christchurch? We went to Japan last year and landed in a snow storm perfectly fine. Is it a case of different equipment on those planes?

sleemanj

1525 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 332

#497543 25-Jul-2011 11:53

I expect a lack of aircraft de-icing equipment is the main issue, but visibility may be below minimums.

Much like how the city comes to a virtual halt while other cities live with massive amounts of snow on a semi-permanant basis, it's just what you are used to and prepared for.

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

tdgeek

30087 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9524

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#497555 25-Jul-2011 12:21

Japan has regular snowfalls, they have the equipment, we don't. A snowfall that requires equipment like that occurs here every 10 years, in fact while we get snow every winter, the last fall like this was in circa 1991

floydbloke

3668 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4593

ID Verified

#497584 25-Jul-2011 13:14

Living in London back in the early 90’s, I recall hearing on the radio assurance from British Rail that there should be no delays caused by snow this winter because they had procured the latest equipment to clear the tracks.

Winter came, with snow, and sure enough so did the train delays. BR’s excuse: “it was the wrong kind of snow”

New Zealanders, on average, have one testicle.

networkn

Networkn
33020 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15609

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#497585 25-Jul-2011 13:15

lol wrong kind of snow. Nice one.

hairy1

3353 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 648

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#497598 25-Jul-2011 13:42

A lack of certified runway surface friction reports and lack of anti-ice fluid for aircraft (as opposed to de-ice fluid) means that operations in snow come to a halt in these conditions..... Hold over times (the time the aircraft remains free of ice or snow) after the aircraft has been deiced are short in New Zealand due to the type of fluid used.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

networkn

Networkn
33020 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15609

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#497601 25-Jul-2011 13:46

Hi There!

Well at least I understand now.