Power failure in Italy

[flowman]

We have confirmed reports of a total power failure in Italy. ATS unaffected for the time being. Are there any Pprooners with information about ground handling or any other problems which will inevitably arise?

[DHebert]

I work on the ground operations in Montreal-Dorval Intl'(CYUL), Canada.

There is a lot of aspects to look at when considering ground operations dependence on electricity.

- Of course ATC and aircraft movements (mainly at night) can be impaired. But ATSs do have a ways to deal with this.

- Ramp crew (luggage/cargo) don't really need electrical since they work outside with equipement that don't require electrical power. (lugguage room do need power for the conveyor belts though)

-Cabin crew(grooming) : Now they need light ! They need electricity for the vaccum cleaners. But this is all provided by the aircraft's APU, or a GPU (ground power unit) so they arent vulnerable to power failures.

- Where this would cause a bigger mess is on the computer systems used by the ticketing agents. They would become completely inop. and unable to register pax.

- Operations office also use computers for determine and print W&B, Wx data etc for the pilots.

But realisticly speacking, big airports don't loose electricity! Never seen that kind of situation in CYUL yet ;)

Hope it could help