Snow Doesn't Hamper Operations At Centennial Airport Thanks To Teamwork

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - Centennial Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the U.S. and it was up and running in full operation on Saturday despite the snow.

Unlike other airports Centennial Airport doesn't shut down the runways to clear the snow. They plow in between takeoffs and landings.

"The snow is drifting like crazy off the hanger tops," said airport Director of Maintenance Dave Zarlengo. "Stuff is melting pretty quick."

It makes for a long day for the snow team at Centennial Airport.

"As long as there's a snow in progress, it's considered an airport emergency. So we work from start to finish," Zarlengo said.

Zarlengo is one of nine crew members who was working to clear slush and snow from the runways.

"Basically, right now, we're just trying to control this drifting on the edge here," he said.

A 22-foot blade pushed snow aside as a blower shot it dozens of feet into the air. GPS maps in the trucks help the crew track its progress. Sensors on the ground tell them temperatures, wind speeds, and how much moisture has accumulated -- information they relay to the control tower to help pilots have safe takeoffs and landings.

"We're open for business," airport spokesperson Deborah Smith said.

Smith says teamwork keeps things running smoothly during snowfall.

"It's a well-choreographed dance between our operations people, our maintenance people, and our friends in the air traffic control towers," she said.

It gives a sense of pride to the people who make it happen.

"Every time one of those aircraft leaves the airport, we know we made it possible, so that's what we get out of it," Zarlengo said.

The snow team there is 13-time award winner in snow and ice removal. They did have to suspend operations tor about 10 hours in the March blizzard. Before that the airport hadn't shut down since 2006.