Timeless Lessons Learned - Wherever the Snow May Fall… Airports and Airlines Winter Operations Forum 10 October, 2011 Keflavik Airport, Iceland D. Michael Ehl, Director Aviation Operations Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, U.S.A.

Safety Preeminent Regardless of the post-event analysis of the events surrounding the winter season in Europe, one tenet rings clear: Regardless of the post-event analysis of the events surrounding the winter season in Europe, one tenet rings clear: Safety remains the absolute priority for airport operators around the globe. 2

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Operations: 314,000 in 2010

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Passengers: Ranked 16 th in U.S./36 th in World Passengers: Ranked 16 th in U.S./36 th in World

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Passengers: Ranked 16 th in U.S./36 th in World Passengers: Ranked 16 th in U.S./36 th in World 28 airlines: 90/10 % domestic/international 28 airlines: 90/10 % domestic/international

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Operations: 314,000 in 2010 Passengers: Ranked 16 th in U.S./36 th in World Passengers: Ranked 16 th in U.S./36 th in World 28 airlines: 90/10 % domestic/international 28 airlines: 90/10 % domestic/international Airport elevation 429’ MSL Airport elevation 429’ MSL

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations 8

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations – Average snowfall 12” over several events 9

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations – Average snowfall 12” over several events – Significant snowfall approximately 1 year in 3 10

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations – Average snowfall 12” over several events – Significant snowfall approximately 1 year in 3 – Sub-optimal proficiency of personnel 11

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations – Average snowfall 12” over several events – Significant snowfall approximately 1 year in 3 – Sub-optimal proficiency of personnel – Sub-optimal removal fleet: 27 units circa

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations – Average snowfall 12” over several events – Significant snowfall approximately 1 year in 3 – Sub-optimal proficiency of personnel – Sub-optimal removal fleet: 27 units circa 1992 Pressure to deliver Pressure to deliver 13

SEA Shares the Challenges Facing Airports Unaccustomed to Snow Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Airport lies within the Puget Sound convergence zone, resulting in highly unpredictable snow forecasting Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations Limited exposure = Misaligned stakeholder expectations – Average snowfall 12” over several events – Significant snowfall approximately 1 year in 3 – Sub-optimal proficiency of personnel – Sub-optimal removal fleet: 27 units circa 1992 Pressure to deliver Pressure to deliver Runway availability reduced 2/3 in snow events Runway availability reduced 2/3 in snow events 14

Early Lessons Learned 3 events - 1 airport - 1 year Durango, Colorado/DRO: 25 FEB 1987 AWE 166 B FEB 1987 AWE 166 B JAN 1988 TCE 2286 SW4 19 JAN 1988 TCE 2286 SW4 02 FEB 1988 ASP CV FEB 1988 ASP CV580 15

The Lessons Continue… 20 DEC 2008 AWE 158 B Scenario: 2300 PST Darkness Blowing Snow/Freezing Fog Visibility ½ mile 11,900’ RWY 16L in use Contract maintenance personnel become disoriented during an aircraft relocation from terminal gate to remote hardstand. Aircraft ultimately taxis through infield and onto active runway 16L as CLX B744-F touches down on arrivals surface, resulting in runway incursion. Probable Cause: Loss of situational awareness/lack of airfield familiarity. Disorientation of maintenance personnel given meteorological conditions. Limited visibility prevents ATC from recognizing the deviation of taxiing aircraft from apron to movement area. ASDE-X surveillance does not identify conflict. Outcome: Approximately 2000 foot remaining separation. No injuries or damage to either aircraft. 16

17 AWE 158 video video

18 And Continue… 22 NOV 2010 CAL 5391 B744-F Scenario: 1630 PST Darkness Light snow/fog Visibility 1 ½ miles 8500’ RWY 34L in use CAL Cargo B744-F landing 34L overruns runway departure threshold. Probable Cause: Roll out of heavy aircraft in untraveled area of contamination led to greater distance to stop. Previous PIREPS of aircraft landing 34L indicated braking action Fair to Good; however were able to decelerate and exit at earlier intersections. Outcome: Runway closure during aircraft relocation from beyond threshold. Aircraft remained on paved surface. No injuries or damage to aircraft.

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Summary Recommendations Include snow removal as an integral strategic business strategy in maintaining continuity of operations with financial justification. Include snow removal as an integral strategic business strategy in maintaining continuity of operations with financial justification. Do not allow cost pressures to outweigh safety imperative. Do not allow cost pressures to outweigh safety imperative. Communicate annually across all stakeholder groups to reinforce importance of mission. Communicate annually across all stakeholder groups to reinforce importance of mission.