Flights resume at MacArthur Airport after storm; specialized equipment keeps runways clear
Unlike roadways, runways cannot be treated with rock salt because of the damage it can cause to aircrafts.
More Stories
Flights are back on schedule at Long Island MacArthur Airport after operations were suspended Sunday due to a powerful winter storm. Crews worked long hours using specialized snow-removal equipment to make the runways safe for takeoffs and landings.
Among the tools used were massive plow trucks and snowblower trucks capable of clearing large amounts of snow quickly. While those machines remove most of the accumulation, airport officials say the final layer of snow and ice presents the biggest challenge.
Unlike roadways, runways cannot be treated with rock salt because of the damage it can cause to an aircraft.
“We can’t use any kind of salt on the runway because it’s corrosive to the aircraft,” said Michael Stack, the airport’s project manager. “So it’s much harder to break the bond for the frozen ground.”
Instead, crews rely on trucks equipped with giant spinning brushes mounted on the front. The brushes sweep away remaining snow and ice, leaving a clean surface for planes to safely land and depart.
Passengers welcomed the return to operations. Susan Barnao of Riverhead was among the first travelers to take off after flights resumed, heading to West Palm Beach.
“It’s on time. It’s good,” Barnao said, admitting she was “a little bit” surprised her flight was running as scheduled so soon after the storm.
Despite the progress, airport officials say the work is not over. Strong winds can blow snow back onto the runways, forcing crews to repeat the cleanup process.
“A lot of times you get the whole field clean today, and tonight we’ll get wind gusts and then we have to come back and broom stuff,” Stack said.
Passengers say they’re grateful for the extra effort — especially those trading Long Island’s winter weather for warmer destinations.
