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Christmas at the airport: This is the price of service on the holiday!
Find out how airports in Southwest Palatinate operate safely in winter conditions at Christmas and what challenges exist.
Christmas at the airport: This is the price of service on the holiday!
On December 24th, Christmas Eve, things will be cozy in many families while many employees start their duties at airports in Germany. Fabian Knoll, a 32-year-old traffic manager at Triwo AG at Zweibrücken Airport, is once again keeping an eye on the roster this year. Even at Christmas, everything has to run smoothly in the “Ramp Office,” says Knoll, whose everyday life doesn’t stop even on the holidays. Such missions are everyday life for many airport employees, but the challenges on this day are particularly high.
As [Rheinpfalz]. This is especially true when unforeseen weather conditions endanger smooth operations. In addition to passenger care, various logistical tasks are also on the agenda.
Christmas magic at the airport
In many airports, such as in Munich, a festive magic is still spread during the Christmas season. At Munich Airport numerous preparations are underway to make the wait as pleasant as possible for travelers. A festive Christmas market invites you to stroll and offers all sorts of delicacies - even when winter sets in, the anticipation of the holidays remains palpable.
Winter service plays a central role in ensuring safety even in snow and ice. For example, up to 15,000 aircraft are treated every year, including impressive machines such as the Airbus A380. Specially trained “polar bears” are used to efficiently ensure that the machines are free of ice before take-off. The safety standards at Munich Airport are high and guarantee smooth flight operations, even when nature causes challenging conditions.
Challenges in winter conditions
Particularly in winter conditions, prudent action is required. Freezing rain can make not only roads but also airport areas extremely dangerous. The experts know that the right moment to use surface de-icing agents is crucial in order to prevent the development of an ice sheet. In addition, up to 200 employees with over 184 vehicles are deployed per shift to keep the 5.6 million square meters of space free of snow and ice so that flight operations remain safe.
As Stefan Häberlein explains, the challenges in winter weather conditions are more than just cosmetic. The correct timing and materials are essential to maintain high standards in air transport and enable passengers to travel safely. In these challenging times, the high level of commitment that employees put in every day to ensure a bit of normality at Christmas is evident.
The positive impulses of this Christmas season, despite the many challenges, are unmistakable. The people at the airport are working together to keep travelers not only safe but also happy during the holidays. And even if the food sometimes has to stop, the Christmas spirit remains unbroken.