The airport "slips" on every snow: Why can't they deal with a few centimeters?

The Airport did not answer why "Golubovci" cannot cope with several centimeters of snow, how much machinery they have and whether it is sufficient
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Most flights were cancelled, three were diverted, Photo: Airports of Montenegro/Facebook
Most flights were cancelled, three were diverted, Photo: Airports of Montenegro/Facebook
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

In the last year, the Podgorica airport was closed twice due to snow, because of which thousands of passengers were prevented from leaving or returning to Montenegro, or in the case of flight diversions, they ended up at Tivat or another regional airport.

Why the Podgorica airport cannot deal with several centimeters of snow was not answered by "News" from the Airport of Montenegro.

The state company that manages the airports in Podgorica and Tivat did not answer whether they have the necessary machinery for cleaning the runways, how many people are in charge of runway maintenance and how many were in charge of it in the middle of Sunday when it snowed.

It was known at the end of last Sunday that snow would most likely fall in the capital.

Less than ten centimeters of snow closed the airport in Podgorica on Wednesday.

The airport was closed due to snow, members of the VCG helped with their machinery

Before it opened late at night, ten inbound flights were canceled and three diverted.

Air Serbia passengers ended up in Tivat instead of the capital, while Vizer passengers from Munich and Milan ended up in neighboring Albania.

The problem is greater considering that last year was a record year for the Podgorica airport.

The Airport announced in mid-October that "Golubovci" served the millionth passenger two months earlier than in 2017.

The airport was also closed at the end of February last year, when several flights were cancelled.

"Doves" did not work in 2012 either, which reached a height of about 15 centimeters in Podgorica.

Every time the snow closed the airport, members of the Army of Montenegro came to help.

The military airport is located right next to the civilian airport.

"It is the duty of the Army to help citizens and civil institutions in case of need. After all, the third mission of the Army (assistance to institutions in the event of natural disasters) mandates the obligation to respond adequately. Considering that VCG shares part of the infrastructure with Podgorica Airport, the Army made available its technical and human capacities during the snowfall in order to bring the airport into operational condition. The army will always be at the disposal of the citizens and institutions of the state without reservation", the Ministry of Defense told "Vijesti".

Unlike the Airport, Predrag Bošković's department answered what kind of machinery they have.

Air Force VCG uses two snow pushers on the vehicle "FAP 1314/SK", one snow thrower "Rolba R-400E", special vehicle Mercedes "UNIMOG" with plow or snow thrower, cleaning brush of snow and dust "Rolba Viking SB 80", towing vehicle for pulling brush "Tam 150", UREE spreader on the tractor which is used as a reserve and as needed.

The airports could remain without their help for a few years, because the possibility of moving the military airport to Nikšić or Berane is being considered.

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