Weather & Technical Diversions, Delays & Cancellations

[Finger66]

EXS071W still holding. Certainly persistent. Surely they must have been aware of the issues at LBA when they departed GLA. So was this just hope, stupidity or bad luck?

 

[Aviador]

So to top it off the sleet has turned back to snow.

 

[marky810]

EZY68MK going to literally turn round in the hold and head back to Belfast. EXS071W still in the hold is heading back to Glasgow.

 

[lbaspotter]

Boeing 737-800, G-JZHE operating the EXS71W was going to make an approach, but his changed his mind as cant wait around any longer, so his diverting back to Glasgow

Meanwhile Easyjet Airbus A319, G-EZFU is inbound the LBA Hold from Belfast Int'l as EZY68MK, said he will be diverting back to Belfast Int'l if the can't get the problem fixed.

 

[The Pole]

Boeing 737-800, G-JZHE operating the EXS71W was going to make an approach, but his changed his mind as cant wait around any longer, so his diverting back to Glasgow

Meanwhile Easyjet Airbus A319, G-EZFU is inbound the LBA Hold from Belfast Int'l as EZY68MK, said he will be diverting back to Belfast Int'l if the can't get the problem fixed.

Problem? With aircraft? As stated if he can't get problem fixed?
We got in from Belfast on 27/12 in fog no problem.
Only asking as a regular on that hop

 

[lbaspotter]

Problem? With aircraft? As stated if he can't get problem fixed?
We got in from Belfast on 27/12 in fog no problem.
Only asking as a regular on that hop

Sorry, He said he couldn't wait around for LBA to get its ILS problem fixed, So they just wanted a straight return to Belfast Int'l without holding as they were already running late.

LBA have just issued another statement regards the deteriorating weather conditions tonight

UPDATE 19:45: Due to deteriorating weather conditions, flight disruptions are ongoing.

While nine flights have departed so far, our airline partners are working hard to operate as many flights as possible. However, many aircraft and crew remain displaced due to earlier disruptions. For the latest updates on your flight, please contact your airline directly.
As a result of the adverse weather conditions, the long-stay and car rental shuttle bus service is temporarily suspended. Customers are required to walk to the terminal. Please follow the instructions at the bus stops and exercise caution when navigating the car parks.
Customers on delayed arrivals who are parked in an official LBA car park, will not incur additional overstay charges upon exit. There is no need to contact us or amend your booking, please proceed to the exit barrier as usual.
We appreciate this has been a challenging day, we thank everyone for your continued patience and understanding that safety is our first priority.

Its also worth noting Transdev #FlyerBuses have suspended all services this evening as well

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875993375473815657

 

[BCFC]

Some of this mornings early flights have still not taken off….and probably won't now.

 

[quik123]

Yes I remember. So does this apply to all airport with ILS equipment? You don't hear about these kind of problems at other airports. In fact you don't hear about it at any other airport at all. Surely there must be a resolve? I've been around for a few years now. I admit that I don't have the technical expertise so forgive me, but in all the years I have been interested in the aviation topic I have never come across this until recently. We are losing traffic not because the runway isn't cleared but because there is snow on the ground in front of the ILS equipment. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?

Doesn't sound ridiculous to those that understand the situation(not trying to sound flippant, honest!) And to Joe Public the official word does not say anything about the reason behind the problems, simply that the ILS is not operating. In fact I bet most of the public are not even told that. I can imagine a pilot simply telling his passengers that the reason for the divert is due to weather or 'technical problems'

 

[CM.]

Sorry, He said he couldn't wait around for LBA to get its ILS problem fixed, So they just wanted a straight return to Belfast Int'l without holding as they were already running late.

LBA have just issued another statement regards the deteriorating weather conditions tonight



Its also worth noting Transdev #FlyerBuses have suspended all services this evening as well

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875993375473815657

The problem will be fixed when the snow melts as they’ve mentioned that there’s not much else they can do. One of the LS pilots was asking ATC about it earlier.

 

[quik123]

Are lessons going to be learnt??????

What lessons. Sometimes it snows quite a lot and then planes can't do what they normally can. That's it!!

If it’s as simple as snow thawing, get a mobile industrial heater blower with a diesel generator and thaw the snow on the ground around the ILS. That would be my smarter not harder idea - I know it would be impractical, but surely when the airport is losing traffic, they could look for innovative ideas to mitigate issues for the future? even if these events are rare, they do happen more at LBA- or that at least is the perception. Alternatively, do like they do on football pitches in colder countries, have a heated coil on the ground to keep it above freezing.

The area in front of 14 Glidepath is about 42000 metres (I've just had a quick look on Google Earth) Thats about 5/6 football pitches. Even if you could thaw an area, by the time you move on the snow would have recovered the bit you've just dealt with. Heated ground might work but it's such a huge area the costs to install, maintain and operate such a thing would be astronomical., so it doesn't happen. And nobody is going to spend that sort of money for the 1 or 2 times every other year that this happens.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The problem will be fixed when the snow melts as they’ve mentioned that there’s not much else they can do. One of the LS pilots was asking ATC about it earlier.

I dont remember ever hearing about ILS issues caused by snow until this winter. Am I imagining this?

Some of this mornings early flights have still not taken off….and probably won't now.

Aircraft seem to be taking off on their return flights to Leeds, presumably there is a realistic prospect of them landing.

 

[quik123]

I dont remember ever hearing about ILS issues caused by snow until this winter. Am I imagining this?

Been happening since ILS was invented! Of course we didn't have forums back then and the volume of air traffic trying to land in crap conditions has changed a lot. Not as prevalent at places like Heathrow simply because they don't get the same amount of snow.

 

[lbaspotter]

I dont remember ever hearing about ILS issues caused by snow until this winter. Am I imagining this?


Aircraft seem to be taking off on their return flights to Leeds, presumably there is a realistic prospect of them landing.

Its Snowing quiet heavy again now. Good luck keeping the runway clear.

Another Weather Statement issued by Leeds/Bradford tonight.

UPDATE 22:45: Heavy snowfall is continuing, our teams are working hard to try clear the runway for the remaining arrivals and departures this evening. Our airline partners hope to operate as many flights as possible. For the latest updates on your flight, please contact your airline directly.
As a result of the adverse weather conditions, the long-stay and car rental shuttle bus service is temporarily suspended until further notice. Customers are required to walk to the terminal. Please follow the instructions at the bus stops and exercise caution when navigating the car parks.
Customers on delayed arrivals who are parked in an official LBA car park, will not incur additional overstay charges upon exit. There is no need to contact us or amend your booking, upon your return, please proceed to the exit barrier as usual.
Customers departing from LBA today whose flights have been rescheduled to tomorrow, please check the status of your flight with your airline prior to setting off to the airport. If you have an official LBA car park booking, you can re-enter the car park tomorrow, you do not need to contact us or amend your booking. You may need to press the help button on the entry barrier to re-enter.
Snow is forecast to continue, our teams are working throughout the night. Disruption is likely to extend into tomorrow's flight schedule, customers due to travel on 6th January are advised to check with your airline before heading to the airport. We will provide a further update by 05:00 tomorrow morning. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Sunday, January 5th flight disruption due to SNOW

Last Updated 01:22 January 6th -Airfield open for flight Operations - ILS & runway 14 Localizer out of Service .

Arrivals
07:05 - W43313 Cluj Napoca = Diverted to London Luton
08:00 - EI3390 Dublin = Cancelled
08:00 - EI3670 Belfast City = Cancelled
08:05 - FR1932 Warsaw = Diverted to Manchester
08:10 - FR2333 Krakow = Diverted to Manchester
08:25 - FR152 Dublin = Diverted to East Midlands
09:05 - FR9078 Alicante = Diverted to East Midlands
09:30 - KL1019 Amsterdam = Cancelled
12:55 - EI3672 Belfast City = Cancelled
14:55 - FR2483 Riga = Diverted to Manchester
15:15 - FR2047 Arrecife = Expected 03:15
15:15 - EI3676 Belfast City = Cancelled
15:30 - EI3392 Dublin = Cancelled
15:30 - FR5890 Marrakesh = Diverted to East Midlands
16:05 - FR156 Dublin = Diverted to Manchester
16:10 - LS426 Funchal = Expected 01:55 Holding
16:40 - LS288 Geneva = Diverted to Birmingham
16:45 - KL1023 Amsterdam = Diverted Teesside
16:55 - LS286 Geneva - Rescheduled to Jan 6th
17:55 - LS71W Glasgow = Diverted back to Glasgow
18:20 - LS222 Tenerife South = Rescheduled to Jan 6th
18:50 - LS404 Fuerteventura = Diverted to East Midlands
19:00 - LS268 Paris Cdg - Rescheduled to Jan 6th
19:10 - EZY49 Belfast International = Diverted back to Belfast Int'l
19:15 - EI3678 Belfast City = Cancelled
19:20 - LS272 Alicante = Rescheduled to Jan 6th
19:30 - EI3394 Dublin = Cancelled
19:35 - LS416 Arrecife = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
19:40 - LS202 Malaga = Diverted to East Midlands
19:55 - LS226 Las Palmas = Diverted to
Liverpool
20:05 - LS252 Faro = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
20:20 - LS204 Prague = Rescheduled to Jan 6th
20:50 - LS244 Tenerife South = Rescheduled to Jan 6th
21:55 - KL1025 Amsterdam = Cancelled
22:45 - FR457 Dublin = Diverted to Birmingham
23:00 - FR9092 Alicante = Diverted to London Stansted
23:10 - FR5421 Bucharest = Cancelled
23:10 - FR2447 Malaga = Diverted to Birmingham

Departures
06:00 - FR153 Dublin = Cancelled
06:10 - KL1018 Amsterdam = Cancelled
07:00 - LS271 Alicante = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
07:35 - W43314 Cluj Napoca = Cancelled
07:45 - LS251 Faro = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
08:00 - LS221 Tenerife South = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
08:30 - EI3671 Belfast city = Cancelled
08:30 - FR1933 Warsaw = Cancelled
08:35 - FR2332 Krakow = Cancelled
08:45 - EI3391 Dublin = Cancelled
08:55 - FR2483 Riga = Cancelled
09:30 - FR9079 Alicante = Cancelled
09:45 - LS415 Arrecife = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
10:00 - KL1020 Amsterdam = Cancelled
10:40 - LS243 Tenerife South = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
11:10 - LS285 Geneva = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
13:25 - EI3673 Belfast City = Cancelled
15:00 - LS203 Prague = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
15:15 - LS267 Paris Cdg = Rescheduled to Mon 6th
15:45 - EI3677 Belfast City = Cancelled
15:45 - FR5420 Bucharest - Cancelled
16:00 - EI3393 Dublin = Cancelled
16:20 - FR2446 Malaga = Cancelled
16:30 - FR157 Dublin = Cancelled
16:40 - FR9089 Alicante = Cancelled
17:15 - KL1024 Amsterdam = Cancelled
19:40 - EZY50 Belfast International - Cancelled
19:45 - EI3679 Belfast City = Cancelled
20:00 - EI3395 Dublin = Cancelled
23:10 - FR456 Dublin = Cancelled

 

[Aviador]

Doesn't sound ridiculous to those that understand the situation(not trying to sound flippant, honest!) And to Joe Public the official word does not say anything about the reason behind the problems, simply that the ILS is not operating. In fact I bet most of the public are not even told that. I can imagine a pilot simply telling his passengers that the reason for the divert is due to weather or 'technical problems'

So basically all the big airports around the world that get a lot of snow get their ILS knocked out for as long a period as it takes for the snow to melt? So one would assume this could in some cases take months. That is how I am reading your explanation of the situation.

So all the big snow cities like Anchorage; Qubec; New York; Oslo; Stockholm; Moscow, they all operate through the winter without ILS then. This is standard and it's been going on for years? Please forgive me because I"m truly gobsmacked. I really had no idea hence all the probing.

 

[KARFA]

ILS being knocked out by snow sounds unusual - it is certainly not typical.

I can only assume that the NDB was unusable - or the conditions were out of limits for the NDB approaches.

It is a shame LBA doesn't have an RNAV approach.

 

[twevsmiff]

Well we are open this morning even after more snowfall overnight. However, the ILS on 32 is still localiser only, until the snow thaws in front of the glideslope. Landing aircraft are reporting seeing the lights at approax 1000'. I would guess that today will be pretty chaotic as parking spaces are at a premium.
I don't intend keepingup with all the positioning flights inbound but so far we have had:-

PH-EXY EMB.190(KLM 9948) from Teesside 0634
EI-EGD 737/800(Ryanair 7815) from East Midlands 0640
9H-VVN 737/MAX(Rayanir 328) from Dublin 0726

All these 3 are still awaiting their stands to be fully cleared for parking.

 

[jason1-11]

Well we are open this morning even after more snowfall overnight. However, the ILS on 32 is still localiser only, until the snow thaws in front of the glideslope. Landing aircraft are reporting seeing the lights at approax 1000'. I would guess that today will be pretty chaotic as parking spaces are at a premium.
I don't intend keepingup with all the positioning flights inbound but so far we have had:-

PH-EXY EMB.190(KLM 9948) from Teesside 0634
EI-EGD 737/800(Ryanair 7815) from East Midlands 0640
9H-VVN 737/MAX(Rayanir 328) from Dublin 0726

All these 3 are still awaiting their stands to be fully cleared for parking.

That would suggest that the KLM was the first arrival in the last ~30 hours - astonishing.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

ILS being knocked out by snow sounds unusual - it is certainly not typical.

I can only assume that the NDB was unusable - or the conditions were out of limits for the NDB approaches.

It is a shame LBA doesn't have an RNAV approach.

Or even SRA.

 

[KARFA]

Well we are open this morning even after more snowfall overnight. However, the ILS on 32 is still localiser only, until the snow thaws in front of the glideslope. Landing aircraft are reporting seeing the lights at approax 1000'. I would guess that today will be pretty chaotic as parking spaces are at a premium.
I don't intend keepingup with all the positioning flights inbound but so far we have had:-

Ah that’s a problem. Localiser only has a decision height of 1020ft, as well as minimum RVR of 900m.

 

[a300boy]

Or even SRA.

Or even SRA.

The ceiling minima for an NDB or RNAV approach would not help with a situation like we had.