This session presents the main topics related to winter service in the airport context. The following topics will be addressed:
Weather monitoring is the essential first step in anticipating winter conditions. It ensures the optimal mobilization of the human and technical resources necessary for the smooth running of snow operations. Secondly, thanks to decision-making support systems and high-performance digital tools to optimize interventions, snow removal operations are triggered at the right time in order to reduce the impact on flight operations as much as possible.
Human organization is a major challenge: it includes team management (monitoring, on-call, intervention), continuous training, skills retention and the strategic choice between internal management or outsourcing. The equipment used for snow removal and surface treatment must be adapted to the specific constraints of airport platforms.
De-icing and the use of de-icing agents are essential to prevent the risks associated with black ice and delay the adhesion of snow to the ground, as is the management of slopes, tarmac, car parks and roads in order to maintain the fluidity of operations and the safety of users. Pedestrian access must also be taken into account to ensure the continuity of services.
How AI can optimize de-icing operations and deliver significant cost savings, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety through glycol usage prediction and planning optimization.
Coordination with air traffic control is essential to synchronize ground and flight operations in order to limit the impact on air operations as much as possible. In addition, the preservation of water resources and the consideration of the specificities of altiports impose particular environmental and technical constraints.
Finally, the management of operations during the winter period includes day-to-day management, response to weather events and the implementation of crisis plans, in conjunction with the State services. Regional coordination of traffic, particularly during diversions, and the integration of artificial intelligence in airport organisations represent areas of innovation to improve the efficiency and resilience of systems.