New Heavy Equipment Helps Tulsa International Respond To Winter Weather

Tulsa International Airport has added new equipment to its snow removal fleet.

Three plow and broom trucks are new, each one a $1 million investment. The Director of Airport Operations, Cole Brown, said some new drivers have completed training and they’re ready for the first blast of ice or snow.

“If we get anywhere from a half inch to an inch of snow that's when we really initiate winter weather operations and bring out the big equipment,” Brown said.

The airport has massive snow blowers they can use, with ice-eating augers on the front, and brooms and loaders to clear off the rest. The added equipment helps ensure the runways, ramps, and taxiways stay clear - whether it's for passenger planes or ones loaded with packages.

The airlines handle de-icing for the planes - and the airport handles everything else.

“Even in the middle of a winter weather event when it's really snowing, we're still able to keep all our priority one stuff open and operating,” said Brown.

The staff that runs the equipment works here year-round, in all departments, but they roll out on snow and ice duty when needed