In 2023, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) celebrated its 75th anniversary. What better time than now to reflect upon past events, including snowstorms, which impacted the airport’s operations and affected thousands of travelers? My name is Jerry Spampanato, and I was the General Manager of JFK from 2008 to 2014, a position in the Aviation Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Before joining the PANYNJ, I worked for Pan American World Airlines (Pan Am) for 33 years, including time spent at JFK and many other locations worldwide. I ended my Pan Am career as Regional Director; I worked at JFK in one capacity or another for more than 55 years.
I recall one particular storm in 1996 that covered JFK with more than 20 inches of snow. At that time, the PANYNJ had high-speed plows, brooms, and blowers in its arsenal of snow removal equipment. Snow operations staff would be called in just hours before a snow event occurred and were usually required to work 12-hour shifts. The first step in clearing the runways and taxiways was applying chemicals to the surfaces to prevent snow from sticking and accumulating. When the storm was particularly intense, the brooms often would get stuck and clogged with snow. While the brooms were being cleaned, snow would continue to accumulate on the surfaces. Constant communication with the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) was imperative while the cleaning operations continued to notify which runways were open and which were closed. The goal was always to be able to keep the airport open for operations to continue.
Most people do not realize that a snow event takes months of pre-planning. Meetings begin in the summer to develop plans and ensure all snow removal equipment is operational and available when needed. Coordination with government agencies, airlines, and third-party snow removal companies is established, and schedules are prepared to help avoid staffing issues. Once a snow event becomes evident, communication is also established with local New York media outlets.
After each snow event, there would be a debrief to identify what was done right and could have been done better. After this particular snowstorm, it was determined that the brooms needed to be replaced with newer, more efficient equipment. I was fortunate to get information from Finnair staff dealing with similar issues in Helsinki, Finland. I made the trip to Helsinki to meet with airport staff and observe the use of snow removal equipment manufactured by Vammas. I was able to visit the Vammas plant and demo a 20-foot plow, broom, and blower all in one unit. It was indeed a fantastic piece of equipment!
I was then challenged to see how the PANYNJ could purchase them. I eventually received authorization to purchase nine Vammas units, three for each airport. It was a good start, but I knew we needed more, especially for an airport the size of JFK.
As you can imagine, snow events can occur several times during the winter season or not at all. The airport must always remain vigilant of weather conditions and ensure proper operations are ready for whatever Mother Nature delivers.
