Northeast Wisconsin airports put together for winter storm throughout spring break journey surge

ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (WBAY) – Airport officers in Green Bay and Appleton stated Thursday they’re making ready for a winter storm anticipated to carry heavy snow and diminished visibility to northeast Wisconsin, with the system probably arriving as early as Sunday.

Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport

Marty Piette, director of Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, stated storm preparations start days earlier than a system arrives and embody coordination conferences with airport tenants, airways and air visitors controllers.

“We actually have several coordinating meetings beginning tomorrow with all of our tenants so that we’re ready for Sunday,” Piette stated.

Piette stated they’re outfitted to maintain runways clear. Visibility is his major concern heading into the storm.

“The airfield equipment that we have, we have about a dozen different pieces of equipment. Looks a little bit different than your highway equipment. We have plows, brooms, de-ice trucks, and also very large snow blowers,” Piette stated.

“Right now, I’m more worried about visibility. Making sure that not only our trucks can see, but the aircraft can see. Once we get below a half mile visibility, then it becomes pretty tough.”

As of Thursday, airways had not issued journey waivers for the storm. Piette stated he expects that to alter.

“The airlines have not issued any waivers yet for travel. Typically, during a storm, they’ll let you change tickets at no price. We haven’t seen that yet. But I’m anticipating that on Sunday and Monday,” Piette stated.

Appleton International Airport

At Appleton International Airport, Director Abe Weber stated the storm is arriving throughout one of many busiest journey intervals of the yr, with spring break journey anticipated to succeed in report ranges.

Weber stated crews are centered on conserving runways, taxiways and apron areas clear.

“We’re really focused on what we can control and our airport crews are ready to make sure that the runways, taxiways, apron ways are clear of snow and ice, making sure that aircraft can land and take off safely,” Weber stated.

Weber urged vacationers to permit further time earlier than their flights.

“It’s always good to give yourself a little extra time… make sure that you get parked, you can get checked in right through the checkpoint,” Weber stated.

TSA operations unaffected

Officials at each airports stated TSA safety operations are persevering with usually regardless of a partial federal funding stalemate. Local TSA officers are nonetheless reporting to work as Congress stays deadlocked on funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

“But we’ve been fortunate here that our workers are showing up,” Piette stated.

Airport officers are advising vacationers to watch their flight standing earlier than heading to both airport and to plan for attainable delays because the storm approaches.

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