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Farmers are the Heroes of Winter Airports! Why Asahikawa Airport is "snowproof

2023.12.06

Asahikawa Airport is the gateway to the skies in the middle of Hokkaido. Although located in an area with heavy snowfall, with an average annual snowfall of over 550 cm, more than twice that of Chitose City where New Chitose Airport is located, the airport boasts an astonishing 99% (in 2019) of flights in service. Why is Asahikawa Airport so resistant to snow? Behind this is the existence of "certain people" who support Asahikawa Airport in winter.

The key players are nearby farmers! WAX WINGS", the snow removal team that supports the airport

In Hokkaido in winter, flights are inevitably cancelled due to bad weather conditions such as blizzards and heavy snowfall. The secret behind Asahikawa Airport's high service rate in winter is the "thorough snow removal system on the runway. The system is supported by a snow removal team called "WAX WINGS.

The members of the "WAX WINGS" are all local farmers. Farmers from Higashikagura Town, Higashikawa Town, Biei Town, and the suburbs of Asahikawa City have gathered to serve as an elite snow removal team for the winter season only. Their skilled skills and teamwork remove snow from the vast 2,500-meter runway to support safe flight operations.

I want to know more! We asked about WAX WINGS.

So what are the actual activities of "WAX WINGS"? First, we spoke with Mr. Eita Sakai of the Asahikawa Airport Office of Hokkaido Airport Co.

How many people make up the snow removal team?

There are 40 members in total. The average age of the members is 43, the oldest is 66, and the youngest is 22.

What do farmers usually produce?

They are mainly rice farmers (rice producers). Some farmers also produce vegetables.

Do you feel that the work of farmers is also used for snow removal?

I think that the strong teamwork that comes from everyone's everyday connections is put to good use. Another strength is our knowledge of the unique characteristics of the Asahikawa region.

When did you start working as a snow removal team?

Since the beginning of snow removal at the airport, we have had the cooperation of nearby farmers. Today, we are still connected with the farmers from those days, and they are in charge of snow removal.

How is the snow removal work carried out even in heavy snowfalls?

At Asahikawa Airport, a total of 25 vehicles are used for snow removal, including snow sweepers, snow plows, rotary snowplows, snow graders, wheel loaders, wetland bulldozers, and tractors for spraying snow melting agents. For example, a snow sweeper is a vehicle equipped with a cylindrical rotating brush called a sweeper. Snow and ice on the road surface are swept away by the sweeper at the front of the vehicle and blown away by the blower (a machine that sends compressed air) at the rear of the vehicle.

A runway where white snow is scraped away to reveal the black ground.

The passion and professionalism of the "WAX WINGS" team members

In addition, we received comments from the "WAX WINGS" members regarding their thoughts on the activities they are actually involved in.

The sense of accomplishment when an aircraft is able to take off and land on time in bad weather makes the work worthwhile and is a great motivation to continue working.

I am proud to be a member of "WAX WINGS," a company with high technical capabilities and teamwork that can maintain a high service rate even in Asahikawa, where there is a lot of snowfall in Hokkaido.

As always, I will do my utmost to keep the wishes of each and every one of our customers in mind as we work to remove snow from the airplanes that carry them, even in bad weather, so that they will be able to enter into service on time.

Behind the scenes of enjoying safe air travel even in the midst of heavy snowfall is the passion and thorough professionalism of our members.

「WAX WINGS」の名前の由来<h3 class="ptn_4"> The name comes from the Asahikawa city bird, the "kirenjaku</h3> <p> WAX WINGS" is the English name of a bird called the "Wrenjak. In winter, the yellow-rumped waxbill, Asahikawa's city bird, returns from its breeding grounds and stays in the Japanese white pine trees to watch over the town. This snow removal team, like the kirenjak, is meant to "keep Asahikawa Airport safe in winter".</p><img id="29191" src="https://domingo.ne.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0a613d627edfc6e9bcf9d4372c9bcc81.jpg" alt="キレンジャク"/><p class="imgcaption"> A red-faced tree-hermit perches on the Asahikawa city tree, "Nanakamado" in Asahikawa City, Japan.</p> <h3 class="ptn_4"> The first scheduled domestic LCC flight will start in December.</h3> <p> Asahikawa Airport is set to launch its first scheduled flight between Asahikawa and Tokyo Narita on December 15, 2023.</p> <p> Asahikawa Airport will become even easier to use. If you use the airport in winter, be sure to take a look at the activities of the snow removal crews that can be seen from the observation deck.</p> <p> <Cooperation> Hokkaido Airport Co.</p> <div class="box_stroke"> <p class="sp_img_txt spot"><span class="sp_img pin">

Farmers are the Heroes of Winter Airports! Why Asahikawa Airport is "snowproof

The key players are nearby farmers! WAX WINGS", the snow removal team that supports the airport

I want to know more! We asked about WAX WINGS.

The passion and professionalism of the "WAX WINGS" team members

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