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October 11, 2012 | Safety and Security, YEG News Releases

Media Release

EIA shows why we are the best – We can prove it!

EIA demonstrates training and equipment that won North American award

October 11, 2012 (Edmonton, Alta.) – Edmonton International Airport (EIA) demonstrated the training that snow and ice removal teams take annually to ensure continuous, safe operations in Winter.  EIA was awarded the coveted Balchen/Post Award for excellence in snow and ice control at the 46th Annual International Aviation Snow Symposium (IASS) on April 18th, 2012 in Buffalo, NY.  The award was presented to the EIA Airside Operations Team for their dedicated efforts in maintaining our airport in safe and operational status during the 2011 – 2012 winter season. EIA won in the category of Medium Commercial Airport (100,000 to 200,000 operations per year) and is only the second Canadian Airport to win a Balchen/Post Award in the 36 years it has been presented.

From January 01, 2011 to April 31, 2012 EIA received approx 239 cm of total snow fall.  EIA experienced 21 consecutive days of 24/7 snow removal operations.  Nine ice storms also occurred in this period.  Despite these circumstances, EIA was not closed once during the entire winter season.

“Winning the Balchen/Post Award is an incredible honour for Edmonton International Airport,” says Diane Trenn, EIA Vice President of Airport Operations. “On behalf of EIA, I’d like to thank the Northeast Chapter/American Association of Airport Executivesfor sponsoring this award and the IASS selection committee for recognizing our Airside Operations Crews’ efforts. I’d also like to acknowledge the inspirational hard work of our team and their commitment to our customers and our community.”

The IASS is the largest gathering of its kind exclusively focused on winter airport operations, and is attended by 800 participants from countries around the world, including the US, Russia, Scandinavia and Canada.  

The Balchen/Post Award criteria include:

–          Degree of in depth preparedness

–          Effectiveness of the snow and ice control program

–          Timeliness and accuracy of communications during snow and ice control efforts with stakeholders

–          Post Storm Activities

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For more about the Balchen/Post Award: http://www.necaaae.org/cfiles/ne_balchen_11_12.php  

Media Contact:

Chris Chodan

Communications

t: 780 890 8454               

c: 780 700 3596  

e: cchodan@flyeia.com  

w: www.flyeia.com