Roberta Aguirre
Manchester Airport, one of the United Kingdom's busiest travel hubs, has been affected by snow in the past. In January 2023, the airport was forced to close both its runways due to heavy snowfall, causing travel disruptions and delays. Similarly, in January 2025, snow and icy conditions forced Manchester Airport to suspend operations temporarily, leading to flight cancellations and diversions. While the airport employs various measures, such as de-icing fluids and snow-clearing vehicles, to minimise disruptions due to winter weather, closures may still occur during heavy snowfall to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Runway closure | Manchester Airport closes the runway when the depth of snow gets to a particular level. |
| Snow clearing vehicles | Manchester Airport has a fleet of more than 30 snow clearing vehicles. |
| De-icing fluid | The runways are treated with de-icing fluid to prevent them from freezing. |
| Weather forecasting | Manchester Airport uses sophisticated weather forecasting systems to monitor the exact air pressure around the airfield, the precise level of the clouds, and the temperature of the tarmac. |
| Travel advice | Passengers are advised to pack snacks and a phone charger, plan their journey in advance, and allow extra time. |
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What You'll Learn
Manchester Airport closures due to snow
Manchester Airport is vulnerable to extreme weather events, and snow has been known to cause temporary closures of its runways. The airport covers a large area and is surrounded by hills, which can cause the weather to vary quickly across the site. Manchester Airport uses sophisticated forecasting systems to monitor the exact air pressure around the airfield, the precise level of the clouds, and the temperature of the tarmac. This helps the airport prepare for snow and ice, and it can implement de-icing measures to prevent snow from building up. The runways are treated with de-icing fluid to prevent them from freezing, and the surfaces are slightly grooved to provide better traction for aircraft.
Despite these measures, heavy snowfall can still cause significant disruption. On the 7th of January 2025, Manchester Airport was forced to close its runways due to heavy snow, and flights were cancelled or delayed. The airport reopened later that day, but disruptions continued due to the earlier closure. Similarly, on the 19th of January 2023, Manchester Airport closed both its runways following heavy snowfall, with flights being diverted to Birmingham Airport. The airport reopened just before 9 am, but delays persisted on the roads in the region.
In preparation for wintry weather, Manchester Airport has a fleet of over 30 snow-clearing vehicles, including tractors equipped with ploughs, brushes, and combined jet blowers. They also have over 180 workers trained to clear snow. These resources can be mobilised quickly to ensure runways are safe and operational. The airport usually closes the airfield for very short periods when snow reaches a particular depth to efficiently clear the runways using their full fleet of snow ploughs.
Passengers travelling through Manchester Airport during snowy weather are advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time, and check travel conditions. They should also be prepared with essential items, such as food, drinks, warm clothes, phone chargers, and a torch, in case they get stuck or delayed en route to the airport.
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Snow clearing vehicles and workers
Manchester Airport has a fleet of over 30 snow-clearing vehicles and more than 180 workers trained to clear snow. The vehicles include tractors that can be equipped with ploughs and brushes, and combined jet blowers that are fitted with ploughs, blowers, and brushes. These vehicles can clear significant snowfall relatively quickly and ensure that runways are safe.
The airport also treats its runways with de-icing fluid to prevent freezing. The surface is slightly grooved to provide better traction for aircraft when it is wet or icy. This treatment prevents some snow buildup, but in heavy snow, the snow-clearing vehicles and workers are deployed.
Manchester Airport monitors the weather using sophisticated weather forecasting systems, which help them prepare for various climate conditions. This includes tracking the exact air pressure, cloud levels, and tarmac temperatures. By understanding the temperature of the tarmac, they can anticipate when moisture will turn to ice and cause dangerous conditions.
The snow-clearing process at Manchester Airport involves closing the airfield temporarily when the snow reaches a certain depth. This allows for the efficient deployment of their full fleet of snow ploughs and other snow-clearing vehicles. These closures are typically brief, and the airport works hard to resume operations as quickly as possible.
The use of autonomous snow-clearing vehicles is an emerging technology in the aviation industry. Solutions like the Yeti Snow Technology, an autonomous snowplough, have been tested at various airports and show potential for improved efficiency, reduced costs, and lower CO2 emissions. These vehicles can work in formation, clearing large areas of snow regardless of the weather conditions.
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De-icing fluid and grooved runways
Manchester Airport, the UK's biggest airport outside London, has more than 20 miles of runways, taxiways, and stands, as well as a significant road network, footpath network, and several carparks. With such a large area to manage, keeping the airport running during the winter weather is challenging.
To minimise the impact of snow and ice, Manchester Airport uses de-icing fluid on its runways and taxiways. De-icing fluid is essential because it prevents surfaces from freezing over and helps to thaw snow and ice. This is particularly important because, unlike roads and pavements, grit cannot be used on runways as it is corrosive and can damage aircraft. The de-icing fluid is spread on the runways by tractors and specialist vehicles.
In addition to de-icing fluid, the runways at Manchester Airport have a slightly grooved surface. These grooves provide better traction for aircraft when the surface is wet or icy. This is another crucial measure to improve safety and minimise disruption during winter weather.
The de-icing fluid and grooved runways are effective in preventing and managing light snowfall. However, during heavy snowfall, Manchester Airport may need to deploy its fleet of over 30 snow-clearing vehicles, including tractors, ploughs, brushes, and blowers, to clear the runways. The airport also has an adverse weather standby team who can be deployed depending on the forecast.
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Travel advice for passengers
Manchester Airport does all it can to prepare for wintry weather, but passengers can also take steps to make travelling through the airport during snowy weather easier. Here are some tips for passengers travelling through Manchester Airport during snow and ice:
Plan your journey in advance
It is advisable to plan your journey to the airport in advance, allowing extra time and checking travel conditions on the way. Snow and ice can cause disruptions on the road and rail. Check travel information via apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps, and look out for travel news on TV and radio. Train travel can also be affected by cold weather, but operators like Trainline will update you on any significant delays.
Prepare for delays
Any type of travel is likely to be slower in cold weather, so allow extra time. Make sure you are prepared in case you get stuck or significantly delayed en route to the airport. If you are driving, make sure you have food, drinks, warm clothes, sturdy shoes, a blanket, a phone charger, de-icer, a warning triangle, a torch, a first aid kit, and a shovel.
Stay updated
Check the latest travel advisories from the airport and your airline for the most up-to-date flight information. Manchester Airport uses sophisticated forecasting systems to monitor the exact air pressure around the airfield, the precise level of the clouds, and more. This means that teams at the airport know when snow is likely to start falling and the temperature of the tarmac on the airfield.
Be cautious
If you are driving, exercise extreme caution and ensure your vehicle is equipped for icy conditions. Authorities urge drivers to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy snowfall.
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Impact on local transport networks
Manchester Airport is one of the United Kingdom's busiest travel hubs, and its temporary closure due to heavy snowfall can bring the region to a standstill. The airport has a sophisticated forecasting system to monitor the exact air pressure around the airfield, the precise level of the clouds, and the temperature of the tarmac on the airfield. Despite this, the airport has had to close runways on several occasions due to heavy snowfall, with flights being diverted to other airports.
The impact of such closures extends beyond personal inconvenience. Businesses reliant on timely deliveries and commuter-dependent operations experience delays, while schools and public services face closures. The transport network in Greater Manchester is severely affected, with motorways gridlocked and public transport severely delayed. Major motorways, including the M60 and M56, experience severe delays, with some key roads deemed "impassable". The A555 Manchester Airport relief road also remains closed during such weather events, compounding the travel chaos.
The airport has a fleet of over 30 snow-clearing vehicles, including tractors equipped with ploughs, brushes, and combined jet blowers fitted with ploughs and blowers. They can clear significant snowfall relatively quickly and ensure runways are safe. The airport also treats its runways with de-icing fluid to prevent them from freezing. The surface of the runway is slightly grooved to improve grip in cold weather.
Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time, and check travel conditions. They are also advised to be prepared in case they get stuck or significantly delayed en route to the airport. If driving, it is recommended to carry food, drinks, warm clothes, sturdy shoes, blankets, phone chargers, de-icers, warning triangles, torches, first aid kits, and shovels.
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Frequently asked questions
Snow can cause flight cancellations and delays at Manchester Airport. In addition to the runways, snow and ice can affect the airport's taxiways, road and footpath networks, carparks, and train, tram, and bus stations.
Manchester Airport uses sophisticated weather forecasting systems to monitor the exact air pressure and cloud levels to prepare for snow. The airport also treats its runways with de-icing fluid and uses snow-clearing vehicles to remove snow buildup.
During heavy snowfall, Manchester Airport may temporarily close its runways to mobilise its fleet of snow ploughs and clear the runways quickly. These closures are typically short, and the airport aims to minimise disruption.
Passengers should plan their journey in advance, allow extra time, and check travel conditions. They should also prepare an emergency kit in case they get stuck or delayed en route to the airport, including food, drinks, warm clothes, and a phone charger.
Yes, Manchester Airport has temporarily closed its runways due to heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions on multiple occasions. For example, on 6 January 2025, the airport closed due to heavy snow, and on 19 January 2023, the runways were shut following a period of heavy snowfall.
