Originally Posted by
Heathrow Tower
As has been alluded to, LHR had both runways and taxiways all cleared by 0700 on Sunday. Other airlines were operating. Not sure anything from BA landed after 0800, even though there were vacant stands cleared of snow in T5.
Of course, having departed aircraft for LHR, only to divert out, means lots of wasted slots that other airlines could have used!
HT :
The snow started around 1900 Saturday and stopped in the early hours. LHR is an H24 airport. The suppliers of the kit shown in the links from Helsinki above state on their website they "clear a 3,500m long runway in 10 minutes".
Airport Equipment from Øveraasen Snow Removal Systems The first arrival is due in to LHR shortly after 0430 from Hong Kong. As I understand it they were even ground held in Hong Kong the previous evening because nobody thought there was any chance of LHR being prepared for them to get in on time.
I see that there was kit for runways and taxiways, which was eventually got going. What plan was there to clear the stands, which has been the key issue before ?