Start of the winter season 2013/2014: Schönefeld and Tegel Airports are well prepared for winter weather
16.10.13 11:00Start of the winter season 2013/14
At airports, winter can sometimes begin in the autumn, as ice may form on cold aircraft wings even when the temperature is above 0°C , for instance in humid conditions. This year, the first aircraft were de-iced on 2 October. This officially marks the start of the winter season at the airport.
As every year, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH and its partners are already well prepared for the start of the winter season. The evaluation of the previous winter shows that the collaboration between all those involved was highly successful and efficient. The new de-icing coordination concept, which was implemented at Tegel Airport for the first time, proved to be very effective and will be implemented at Schönefeld Airport this year, too: the de-icing coordinator at GlobeGround Berlin GmbH & Co. KG will now be on-site at both airports in the Airport Control Center (ACC) which is where all central airport processes are controlled and monitored. This ensures that the information flow between the airside duty managers or the airports’ operations managers and the GlobeGround Berlin coordinator is as fast as possible, thus facilitating efficient decision-making processes.
Additionally, new vehicles will be provided for the runway crew, the capacities of the de-icing fluid depot at Schönefeld have been increased to cope with contingencies and an additional handling and de-icing position has been provided at Tegel Airport.
Elmar Kleinert, Head of Operations, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH:
Michael Schwarz, Vice President Airport Operations airberlin:
Bernhard Alvensleben, Managing Director GlobeGround Berlin GmbH & Co. KG:
Staff and vehicles are ready for action
Review winter 2012/13
Service information for passengers
The weather conditions in the winter present a tough challenge for all carriers and can always cause unexpected delays and cancellations. Passengers are advised to check the situation at the airport and their flight status well in advance of departing for the airport. Passengers can obtain information about their flight from the airline or their tour operator.
In addition to this, the 24h airport information desk will provide updates and information on its helpline: +49 30 6091 1150.
At www.berlin-airport.de passengers can get updates for their flight before leaving for the airport and can also sign up for a free text message service. In addition, the Berlin Airport iPhone App provides all important updates and real-time information for arrivals and departures at both airports. The App will also soon be available for Android devices. In general, passengers and anyone picking a passenger up should allow more time to get to the airport. The airport operating company apologises for any inconvenience or delays that may occur.