Air traffic is greatly affected by weather and wind. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is well equipped for all kinds of weather.
The airport has heightened readiness for snow from October until mid-April. Poor visibility has not been a major problem since May 2005, when Arlanda’s Runway 3 was upgraded to CAT III. It can accommodate aircraft that are landing in very poor visibility.
The combination of weather that Stockholm Arlanda finds it most difficult to handle is strong side winds, slippery conditions plus poor visibility. Under such conditions, the airport imposes restrictions. This means that air traffic is limited, since a larger distance is required between aircraft and each take-off and landing. Delays may occur.
De-icing of aircraft ordinarily takes place when outdoor temperatures are between +2 and –5 degrees Celsius. The need for de-icing is determined by atmospheric humidity.
An aircraft is de-iced on its wings and sometimes its fuselage. The pilot decides where and how the aircraft is to be de-iced. An aircraft mechanic then checks manually whether a surface is free of ice.
Special vehicles known as “elephants” are used for de-icing. Glycol mixed with hot water is sprayed on the aircraft. The process takes a few minutes, depending on the size of the aircraft.
When the aircraft leaves the gate, the glycol is collected in a vehicle that vacuums up the fluid spilled on the apron. The glycol solution is then purified in special glycol ponds.
Stockholm Arlanda receives weather forecasts from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).
Low visibility procedure (LVP)
In case of poor visibility, LVP goes into effect at the airport. This includes prohibiting all vehicles from driving on vehicle routes that cross taxiways.
Taxiways or aprons may not be crossed when LVP is in effect. The air traffic control tower decides when to put LVP into effect.