Cargo meeting on 2011-2012 winter airside operations

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol recently organised a meeting for its cargo partners to detail airside procedures and operational availability of runways, taxiways and aprons during severe weather conditions. In a review of the winter of 2010/2011, when there were heavy snowfall and extremely low temperatures, the airport, carriers and handling companies evaluated the operational procedures, examining which ones worked and which should be adjusted.

There was room for some improvement at the cargo aprons, specifically in terms of the total number of available and cleared aircraft stands, prioritising certain aircraft stands and extending the area that should be cleared just in time. To address these issues, the airport has invested in more equipment and staff training. The ground handler can now also make priority requests for gate planning (VOP-On-Demand).

By taking these measures in coordination with its partners, the airport is striving to do even better than last winter, when Schiphol was the only mainport in Europe to be fully operational for the entire season.