B elgrade NikolaTesla Airport ful ls all global stand- ards, aiming to - above all - ensure the safety of passengers and planes, and keep all ight operations on schedule during snowy winter days. Constant training and implementation of the new- est technologies qualify this airport as being among the best-equipped airports in this part of Europe, and all pas- sengers can be sure of the fact that, when the temper- atures are low and snow fall increases, airport services will quickly and e ciently ensure the safe and secure ow of air-tra c ow.
Pista beogradskog aerodroma u potpunosti može da se očisti od snega za 8–10 minuta Belgrade Airport’s runway can be completely cleared of snow in just 8 to 10 minutes
EIGHT MINUTES FOR A CLEAR RUNWAY
And how long does it take? Belgrade Airport’s take- o and landing runway, which is 3,400 metres long and 45 metres wide, can be completely cleared of snow in just 8 to 10 minutes. This is a result of coordinated e orts, the engaging of many airport employees, accompanied by the latest equipment and vehicles, who are ready to confront winter snowdrifts and work e ciently at all re- quired airport locations. During snowfall, the runway, taxiway and aprons with aircraft stands are inspected many times a day, while the presence of snow and ice is constantly monitored in or- der to ensure conditions are favourable for the conduct- ing of air-tra c in a regular and safe manner. In the case the airport’s winter maintenance service, in coordination with Air-Tra c Control, issues an order for the clearing of snow, seven units of so-called“towing vehicles”spring in- to action. These vehicles have nine-metre-wide ploughs that remove snow from the runways, taxiways and aprons. They are followed by snow cutters, which blow the snow deposited on the sides to a safe distance of approximate- ly 40 metres from the runway, and nally special vehicles are used to distribute liquids and products that prevent ice from forming on the surface of the runway.
HOW IS A PLANE DE ICED?
Apart from the apron, during icy days planes them- selves also need special care and attention. Belgrade Niko- la Tesla Airport has at its disposal a modern aircraft de-ic- ing/anti-icing platform. In the case that speci c weather conditions cause ice to form on the surfaces, planes must be sprayed with adequate chemical products. These prod- ucts, or uids, melt ice from aircraft surfaces and protect aircraft until the moment of take-o . When weather con- ditions cause frost to form on surfaces, the process of de-icing/anti-icing takes ve minutes, but when weath- er conditions cause heavy snowfall that produce a thick layer of residue on aircraft surfaces, this process can last around 25 minutes. Belgrade Airport has six modern aircraft de/anti-icing Volvo and Mercedes vehicles, and a team on duty 24/7. A dedicated and well-trained sta , constant drills and training, modern and up-to-date equipment, all enable Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport to provide passengers and planes with the same level of service during unfavour- able winter weather conditions as other large airports worldwide, and that is something that’s implemented, underlined and required by all VINCI Airports – the Con- cessionaire of Belgrade Airport.
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