By Stan Ashbee
Southern Alberta often gets hit with snowstorms, wild rain and intense wind situations.
On Wednesday, the Calgary Airport even temporarily suspended flights earlier in the afternoon due to heavy snow and reduced visibility across the Prairies.
Of course, many southern Albertans rely on the Calgary Airport, as a hub to domestic and international destinations.
Mackenzie Murphy from the Calgary Airport says maintaining a safe operation is the airport’s top priority. “In a winter storm we clear the runways, taxiways and aprons of snow and ice to ensure aircraft can land, take-off and taxi safely. Periodically, all paved surfaces need to be shut down for snowplows, sweepers and sanders to clear the snow.”
Additionally, Murphy adds, on-call crews become hard at work to support in clearing all the airport’s surfaces for safe and efficient operations.
During the winter months, Murphy recommends the following, so travel plans aren’t put on hold due to unforeseen weather-related circumstances:
- Check with your airline to see if your flight is on time, before coming to the airport.
- If your flight is on time, leave extra time to get to the airport.
- Once you’re at the airport, be patient, as runway clearing and de-icing may create some delays for flights.
For questions about specific flight delays, please contact the airlines directly.
