How Aena Prepares Its Airports for Winter: Key Measures and Resources

Aena launched the Winter Operations Plan against Ice and Snow Contingencies, known as the Winter Plan, at the 21 airports in its network most at risk from adverse weather conditions. This program, which began on November 1, has a budget of approximately 2.2 million euros and establishes procedures aimed at minimizing the impact of ice and snow on air operations.

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According to the company, the main objective of the plan is to ensure operational safety during the winter season. Actions include regular updates to procedures, inspection of machinery and equipment, and intensive training for both internal and external personnel involved.

Resources and training

For this campaign, Aena has more than 200 specialized vehicles, including snowplow trucks equipped with solid and liquid deicing spreaders, sweepers, and 4×4 vehicles adapted for extreme conditions. Additionally, more than 500 tons of solid deicer and 416,000 liters of liquid deicer are available, materials specifically designed to prevent damage to aircraft and infrastructure.

In terms of training, 1,486 people received over 7,255 hours of training last year, focusing on the handling of equipment and procedures for ice and snow removal. Since 2003, more than 16,480 workers have participated in this training program.

Protocol for adverse conditions

The protocol includes preventive actions, such as monitoring weather forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and early communication to operational teams. If moisture is detected on the runways, preventive treatments with solid or liquid deicers are applied. In cases of ice or snow accumulation, these materials act as deicing agents, complemented by mechanical equipment for deeper cleaning.

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Once these tasks are completed, the runway conditions are evaluated according to the Global Reporting Format (GRF) standard, and the friction coefficient is checked to ensure optimal conditions for takeoff and landing.

At airports with shared military use, such as Albacete, León, and Zaragoza, preventive and cleaning actions are coordinated with military authorities.

Coverage across the Aena network

The plan is implemented at the airports of Albacete, Asturias, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, Bilbao, Burgos, Girona-Costa Brava, Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén, Huesca-Pirineos, León, Logroño-Agoncillo, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Palma de Mallorca, Pamplona, Salamanca, San Sebastián, Seve Ballesteros-Santander, Santiago-Rosalía de Castro, Valladolid, Vitoria, and Zaragoza. In the rest of the network, response measures to inclement weather vary depending on operational needs and geographic location.

According to Aena, the implementation of this plan aims to minimize disruptions to air operations during the winter, ensuring that airports remain functional in adverse weather conditions.