UK: Airport runway problems down to 'type of snow'

The closure of airport runways because of snow has inevitably led to questions about how colder countries manage not to grind to a standstill in wintry weather. Both Manchester and Liverpool airports were forced to shut in recent days to allow snow ploughs time to clear airfields. In response to the question of why airports in countries more used to snow don't seem to suffer the same disruption, Manchester Airport said it largely came down to one thing - the "type of snow". And the colder the weather, the easier it can be to clear - with snow frozen below -2C easier to move than the more slippery snow that causes slush and ice, the airport said. Runways are closed when snow reaches a certain depth to allow the snow-clearing vehicles to work unhindered to clear the tarmac as quickly as possible. In Manchester's case, there are more than 30 snow ploughs on standby for this reason. The airport said clearing the snow was "no small task" for these teams, with more than 20 miles of runways and taxiways to clear.<br/>