Heathrow - a world class airport?

[SueEllen]

BBC News - How are airports kept open in cold weather?

Interesting article about airports.

Yeah interesting.

People don't really realise how busy large airports like LHR and AMS are compared to lots of others around the world.

I remember a mate telling me the gap between planes taking off and landing at Heathrow and some other UK airports as she use to work on calculating the minimum gap. Strangely I prefer using smaller airports............

[Ignis Fatuus]

It was under Liebor that it was sold to a foreign company that UK Govt has got much less leverage over.

It was under Liebor Govt earlier this year, and I think 2 years ago that Heathrow had those problems - did Govt do anything? No, they did fook all.

All Al Quada needs to do in this country is to rent a few snow machines and economic damage caused by this will be more profound than any violent attacks they can possible carry out.

AtW, your are beginning to froth at the mouth rather than utter sense from it. What do you mean "under Liebor"? You mean "during a Labour government". Yes, it was sold to a foreign owner during a Labour government, but that doesn't mean that the Labour/Liebor/whatever government did it. The then British owners did the selling-off. The earlier Tory government had made that possible, by privatising it.

The Labour government couldn't really stop it, because a Spanish buyer is not really foreign in a business context: they and we are part of the same EU so it is a legitimate purchase and the government can't interfere.

That's that EU that a Tory government originally took us into. Looks like Tory fingerprints all over this, not Labour.

[TimberWolf]

BBC News - How are airports kept open in cold weather?

Interesting article about airports.

Instead, less corrosive chemicals like urea are used in the de-icing.

Hmm. Has anyone ever tested this "yellow snow" theory?

[Gibbon]

Hmm. Has anyone ever tested this "yellow snow" theory?

When I was in the RAF we used crystallized pigs piss for treating runways etc.

[Sysman]

Many insurance companies are not covering cars with winter tyres because they are classed as modifications.

[AtW]

The Labour government couldn't really stop it

It could easily stop it by demanding (like it did later) to break up BAA into multiple airports - had that been done in advance it would have greatly reduced value of BAA.

It's the Govt that sets regulations - demanding that airport can cope with a few days of snow isn't totally outrageous demand!

[doodab]

I would imagine most airports would be closed after that dump of snow in that short a period.

True, but most airports have a better plan than "wait for summer" for getting operational again

[Ignis Fatuus]

Heathrow has 200 aircraft stands. It looks like it's got snow and ice clearing equipment for about 20.

Get paying punters for 200, pay costs for 20. More profit. Ah, I see.

[lilelvis2000]

A interesting read...
Clearing Pearson airport for takeoff in the winter - thestar.com

between 8 and 11 Vammas machines in a staggered line, pushing the snow aside. Moving at up to 40 km/h, the machines can clear a 11,000-foot runway in about 15 minutes.

How long has it taken BAA to do that?

[minestrone]

True, but most airports have a better plan than "wait for summer" for getting operational again

You are Dean Martin and I claim my free snow shovel.