Record Snowfall Hits Moscow Region

Snow and ice removal operations were conducted at Moscow aerodromes to increase runway friction coefficients. Reduced runway friction requires increased separation distance between arriving aircraft to allow more time for aircraft to vacate the runway and minimise risks in the event of a go-around.
At Domodedovo airport, the Domodedovo ATS centre coordinated with aerodrome services appropriate time intervals for runway cleanup to minimise time spent by aircraft in airborne holding upon arrival.
To ensure proper arrival sequencing and continuous operations at Sheremetyevo airport under repeated runway cleanup closures, the Main ATM Centre in cooperation with Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Yekaterinburg and St. Petersburg regional centres exercised proactive air traffic flow management by applying increased horizontal separation between aircraft 2 or 3 hours prior to ETA.
Close cooperation at strategic and tactical levels and timely interaction with flight operations services of airports and airlines are the key factors for successful performance of ATM operational units.