SLIAC AIRPORT | FEATURE


A: That is a good question. We believe that is the case given the Apron extension and the new departure terminal, which will expand our larger aircraft handling. This positions us well to easily manage traffic growth during the next two years. However, we have identified that we need to provide additional information and services for pas- sengers, as well as extra parking spaces and renovating our GSE and emergency fire equipment. We are planning further growth during the next two years that will enable the departure terminal to handle 600 passengers. There are pos- sible options in EU structural funds, which may yield financial support.


“Yes there were previous plans to upgrade both taxiway and apron edge lights in March 2012. However, initial steps are already underway so the upgrade is now progressing”


Q: HOW MANY HI-LIFTS AND LOADERS DO YOU HAVE? ARE THESE MAINLY FOR CATERING, BAGGAGE AND CARGO? A: We mainly use two forklifts for baggage and cargo. Catering loads are handled by an external company and although there were no major delays last charter season, we would like to add supplementary loaders for the new season to ensure a smooth uninterrupted service.


Q: DO YOU PREFER BUYING, LEASING OR RENTING LOADERS? A: We are open to all options but historically secondhand equipment was purchased. Our objective is to source the best and not the cheapest option.


Q: ARE YOU PLANNING TO PROCURE MORE GSE IN 2012? A: At present, we are assessing our GSE inventory. Our aim is to en- sure that our operations are deployed safely and ideally without delays.


Q: ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC OPERATIONAL/PERFORMANCE CRITERIA THAT INFLUENCE YOUR PROCUREMENT CHOICES? A: We work within established aviation business rules but specifi- cally we target the following: achieving Airport Handling Manual (AHM) requirements; contract price and contractor authorisation to provide GSE business in EU.


Q: ARE YOU PLANNING TO PROCURE MORE AIRFIELD SIGNS IN 2012? A: There are no current plans.


Q: IN TERMS OF AIRFIELD GROUND LIGHTING (AGL), ANY UPGRADE PLANS IN THE PIPELINE? A: Yes there were previous plans to upgrade both taxiway and apron edge lights in March 2012. However, initial steps are already underway so the upgrade is now progressing. Our main supplier company is Trans- con Ltd from the Czech Republic.


Q: IS THE AGL AUTHORISED FOR CAT I OR II? A: Our airport is certified for CAT I with precision instrument land-


ing system.


Q: CAN YOU PROVIDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT AGL SET-UP? A: In terms of RWY 36: Portable Airfield Light Set (PALS), Flashing Light- ed Guidance Tube (FLG LGT), Runway Edge Lights (REDL), Runway Threshold Lights (RTHL), Runway End Lights (RENL), threshold identification flashing lights, vertical lighting marks of distance to the end of RWY in multiples of 1000ft, vertical lighting marks of place and direction TWY A,C,D,E. Information vertical lighting marks (black dot on yellow background) location of Barrier Arrestor Kit - BAK12. The following apply to RWY 18: Short Approach Lighting Systems (SALS),


REDL, RTHL, RENL, vertical lighting marks of distance to the end of RWY in multiples of 1000ft, vertical lighting marks of place and direction TWY C,B, A. Information vertical lighting marks (black dot on yellow background) location of Barrier Arrestor Kit - BAK12.


Q: HOW LONG HAS THE BASELINE AGL BEEN IN OPERATION? WHO WAS THE SUPPLIER? A: The baseline AGL has been in operation since 2009. The supplier was selected by the Ministry of Defence following a public tender as a component part of runway reconstruction during 2009 - 2010.


Q: WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR RUNWAY SWEEPING AND DOES THIS CHANGE WITH DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS? DOES THE RUNWAY SURFACE DEMAND ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT OR TYPE OF SWEEPER? A: Sliac


ˇ consists of a runway, parallel and connecting taxiways. The


runway, comprising a cement-concrete surface, is 2400m long and 57m wide. Sliac


ˇ is a joint civilian/military airport operated under the frame- work of a contract between the Airport Authority and the Ministry of Defence. As the Air Force has its base at Sliac


Q: ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC OPERATIONAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUR AGL INFRASTRUCTURE?


A: The service is divided between our airport company (RWY C and Apron) and the Ministry of Defence (RWY, TWY A, B, D). The power sup- ply is sourced from a common point including an alternate power supply.


Q: DO YOU PREFER BUYING AGL OUTRIGHT? ˇ, it is responsible for runway


sweeping in line with ICAO requirements deploying standard equipment and operation.


Our Airport company sweeps only one taxiway (200x22m) and Apron (136x145m, 8 stands) with common equipment and treatment.


Q: WHAT ARE THE WORST MONTHS FOR SNOWFALL AND ARE RUNWAYS EVER CLOSED DURING WINTER?


A: The Slovakian winter lasts from December to mid-March; the worst month is January. Because the airport is both civil/military, there are very strict rules and conditions to keep runways clear throughout the year (24/7) for military traffic.


Q: HOW MANY SNOW SWEEPERS DO YOU HAVE? A: We have one sweeper; one heavy snow plough; two light snow ploughs connected to tractors; one snow blower and one de-icing chemi- cal detergent tank sprayer.


Q: DO YOU PREFER BUYING OUTRIGHT, LEASING OR RENTING?


A: Given that the price of snow equipment is very expensive and that winter in Slovakia lasts for three months, we would prefer leasing.


Q: ARE YOU PLANNING TO ADD MORE SNOW EQUIPMENT THIS YEAR? A: We are planning to buy two new multi-functional heavy tractors with the option to be coupled to a snow blower and de-icing tank spray- er. A second tractor would have the capability to deploy both a snow plough and snow sweeper.


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A: Given the basis of co-operation between military and civilian op- erations, we do prefer an outright purchase.


Q: DO YOU OPERATE ANY ELECTRIC VEHICLES? A: We have two electric aircraft steps for passengers and two electric towing vehicles for baggage trolleys.


Q: HOW DO YOU SOURCE THESE VEHICLES? A: We are currently working with a Slovak company which is recon- structing and renovating older electric equipment, some of which is more than 10 years old. This company is well-known and they offer the benefits of flexibility and realistic costs. As I said earlier, given the traffic growth forecast this year, it is clear that we require more equipment. We have no option but to acquire a set of towing passenger steps, as well as renovating and reconstructing our current two pairs of steps to be compatible within the limits of the AHM. The top platform requires enlargement to enable sufficient width and depth to open and close the aircraft door without obstruction and with safety rails deployed.


Q: FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES IN 2012? A: Our plan this year centres on four targets: 1. To only source en- vironmentally friendly de-icing chemical detergents. 2. To only use en- vironmentally friendly materials in snow conditions. 3. Following the Soviet Army’s legacy of chemicals left in the ground, we will conduct certificated procedures in soil remediation. 4. Infrastructure modernisa- tion of new departure terminal to include energy saving initiatives. 


MARCH 2012 | AIRSIDE INTERNATIONAL 17


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