Brussels, 16/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - While spirits were dampened by last year's airport chaos caused by severe weather conditions, Siim Kallas has made quite sure that European airports are better prepared for what winter throws at them this year. The transport commissioner has sought to reassure air passengers as they prepare for air travel during the festive season. Throughout the year, he has met airport officials to ensure that a similar situation to that of winter 2010-2011 does not reoccur, and as the Christmas holidays fast approach, he states he is indeed reassured.
Last year, at the same time of year, thousands of passengers and luggage had been blocked in various European airports that had been closed due to heavy snowfalls. Put out by the inadequate response from airports with regard to infrastructure, the European commissioner had therefore immediately, in January, said that they must raise the game. And now, as snow begins to fall in northern Europe, it would seem this has been done. The Airports Council International (ACI) has informed Siim Kallas, by mail, that all airports that had suffered from winter conditions in 2010, have now taken the necessary measures to ensure service as normal.
The London airports of Heathrow and Gatwick, the Paris airport Charles de Gaulle, and the Dublin, Frankfurt and Brussels airports have increased their personnel as a precautionary measure, as well as making extra snow ploughs and salt reserves available, among other things. However, it is also a matter of keeping passengers informed, a point on which the commissioner is particularly keen, which means that passenger information strategies have also been set in place, such as additional display screens and warning systems using mobile telephony. “The use of social media makes sure that more people don't come to the airports without any reason if there are no flights going”, Kallas was pleased to state.
Although all these measures by the airport sector reassure the European commissioner, he nonetheless points out that “what matters to the travelling public and businesses is that in typical winter conditions they can continue to fly safely and on time”. If that is not the case this year, then airports should expect more legislative measures than those already tabled with the airport package. (MD/transl.jl)