Some Airports Are Paralyzed By Snow Right Now– But Not MSP

Mother Nature was busy over the weekend, sending winter storms we're used to seeing here in Minnesota to parts of the south-- where they're NOT used to dealing with it. It's too bad those parts of the country aren't as prepared as the Land of 10,000 Snow and Ice-Covered Lakes is!

While we might not know what it's like to live in a warm-weather climate by the ocean, we *do* know winter here in Minnesota. And while a winter storm cancelled over 1,800 flights from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport over the weekend, had that storm hit the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP), the crew there would have been much more likely to keep those flights landing and taking off.

How MSP Airport Handles Major Winter Storms

That's because, whenever the white stuff starts to fall, the dedicated team at MSP has a goal of keeping at least one runway open during any snow event. According to a release from MSP, the Field Maintenance Department of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) works along with the airlines, the FAA, and the MAC's Airside Operations Department to coordinate all the snow removal operations at Minnesota's biggest airport.

SEE ALSO: Some Minnesotans Are Now Being Charged an Extra $45 Fee to Fly

The MSP crew works non-stop anytime Mother Nature drops any amount of snow on the 28-million square feet of pavement at MSP's airfield near Bloomington to keep it safe for airline operations. (28 million square feet?!? Now *that* is a big driveway, am I right?)

Even though winter can cause hundreds of delays and cancellations, MSP still has one of the best on-time performances in the country. Hey, it's Minnesota-- we KNOW snow, right?

Why Minneapolis-St. Paul Has the Best On-Time Flight Performance

Get our free mobile app

Once it starts snowing, the MSP crew gets to work, using their special 'conga line' formation to keep runways clear. This line consists of 15 to 20 pieces of snow removal equipment, all working together to clear the snow. Most times, MSP says, they only have to shut down a runway for 15 to 20 minutes—a task that takes much longer at other airports.

Watch: The MSP Snow Removal 'Conga Line' in Action

It's really impressive to see. Check it out in the video below, and keep scrolling to check out the 10 things Minnesotans can't wait to stock up on when a snowstorm heads our way.