Cost of keeping Newcastle Airport open during cold snap revealed

Feb 3 2010 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

KEEPING the busiest airport in the North East open during the recent snowy weather has cost more than £500,000.

Newcastle International closed for only 17 hours out of the close on 600 hours during which snowfall could have caused runway problems.

But large amounts of de-icing liquid and grit had to be spread across the tarmac, with staff working around the clock to keep the airport open.

Around £27,000 has been spent on each day that the airport stayed open for the full 24 hours between December 17 and yesterday.

Chief executive Dave Laws said: “All our staff put in an enormous amount of effort to keep the runway, taxiways and aircraft stands operational, as well as keeping our customers fully informed. I have worked at the airport for 30 years and don’t think I have ever seen weather conditions quite as severe as they were in recent weeks.

“Colleagues have on many occasions worked around the clock to ensure that this weather disrupted as few passengers as possible over the Christmas and New Year period, and I am extremely proud of their efforts and commitment.

“Of course, we are still in the middle of winter and this current thaw will not make us complacent. We remain on standby and I am sure our staff will respond equally efficiently if snow hits the region again”

The airport’s snow team is made-up of nine dedicated staff, while a further 12 workers were drafted in to help keep it open during the cold snap.

On the most severe days, the senior management team worked through the night to ensure all areas were kept safe and suitable for use.

A series of snow ploughs are on stand-by at the airport in case more poor weather strikes.

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