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How Local Farmers Became Winter Heroes at Asahikawa Airport! The Secret to Conquering Snow

2023.12.06

Asahikawa Airport serves as the aerial gateway to the heart of Hokkaido. Located in a heavy snowfall region with an average annual snowfall of over 550cm—more than double that of Chitose City, home to New Chitose Airport—it boasts an astonishingly high on-time performance rate of 99% (as of 2019). How does Asahikawa Airport manage to be so resilient against the snow? The secret lies with a special group of people who support the airport during the winter.

The Key Players are Local Farmers! The "WAX WINGS" Snow Removal Team Supporting the Airport

In winter, flight cancellations due to adverse weather like blizzards and heavy snow are an unavoidable part of air travel in Hokkaido. Amidst these conditions, Asahikawa Airport's ability to maintain a high service rate is thanks to its thorough runway snow removal system. This system is upheld by a snow removal team called the "WAX WINGS."

Surprisingly, all members of "WAX WINGS" are local farmers. Farmers from the nearby towns of Higashikagura, Higashikawa, Biei, and the city of Asahikawa come together to form this elite snow removal team, active only during the winter. With their expert skills and teamwork, they clear the vast 2,500-meter runway, ensuring safe flight operations.

We Wanted to Know More! An Interview About "WAX WINGS"

So, what exactly does the work of "WAX WINGS" entail? We spoke with Mr. Eita Sakai from the Asahikawa Airport Office of Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd., which operates Asahikawa Airport.

How many people are on the snow removal team?

There are 40 members in total. The team consists of a wide range of ages, with an average age of 43. The oldest member is 66, and the youngest is 22.

What do the farmers usually grow?

They are mainly rice farmers. Some also grow vegetables.

Do you feel their farming experience is beneficial for snow removal?

I believe the strong teamwork, fostered by their everyday connections, is a huge asset. Their deep knowledge of Asahikawa's unique local characteristics is also a great strength.

How long has this snow removal team been active?

Local farmers have been cooperating with airport snow removal since the very beginning. The connections among those original farmers have been maintained, and today's farmers continue to take on the responsibility of snow removal.

How is the snow removal carried out to combat the heavy snowfall?

At Asahikawa Airport, we utilize a fleet of 25 vehicles, including seven different types: snow sweepers, snowplows, rotary snowplows, snow graders, wheel loaders, wetland bulldozers, and tractors for spreading de-icing agents. For example, a snow sweeper is a vehicle equipped with a cylindrical rotating brush. It scrapes away snow and ice from the pavement with the sweeper at the front and blows it away with a blower (a machine that sends compressed air) at the rear.

The runway's black surface emerges as the pure white snow is cleared away.

The Passion and Professionalism of the "WAX WINGS" Members

We also received comments from the "WAX WINGS" members themselves about their passion for their work.

The sense of accomplishment when we enable aircraft to depart and arrive on schedule, even in bad weather, gives me a great sense of purpose and is a huge motivation to continue this work.

I am proud to be a member of "WAX WINGS," a team with the high-level skills and teamwork capable of maintaining a high on-time performance rate even in Asahikawa, one of the snowiest areas in Hokkaido.

We will continue to do our utmost in our snow removal work so that we never betray the trust of the passengers. Each aircraft carries the thoughts and feelings of every single customer, and we work to ensure they can operate on schedule, no matter the weather.

Behind the ability to enjoy safe air travel even in heavy snow lies the passionate dedication and thorough professionalism of these team members.

The Origin of the Name "WAX WINGS"

How Local Farmers Became Winter Heroes at Asahikawa Airport! The Secret to Conquering Snow

The Key Players are Local Farmers! The "WAX WINGS" Snow Removal Team Supporting the Airport

We Wanted to Know More! An Interview About "WAX WINGS"

The Passion and Professionalism of the "WAX WINGS" Members

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