SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The airfield at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) was closed for less than three hours during this past winter season, even though it saw a lot more snow than in recent winter seasons. That effort generated some recognition. The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) says it has won this year’s Balchen/Post Award […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The airfield at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) was closed for less than three hours during this past winter season, even though it saw a lot more snow than in recent winter seasons.
That effort generated some recognition.
The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) says it has won this year’s Balchen/Post Award for Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow and Ice Control for the Small Commercial Airport category. SRAA, which operates the Syracuse airport, announced the award on April 28.
The award’s purpose is to promote better snow and ice control in the industry and recognize airports for outstanding performance, SRAA said. It was presented by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NEC AAAE).
NEC AAAE presented the 2024-2025 award to members of the SRAA team at the International Aviation Snow Symposium in Buffalo on April 28.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our Airfield Maintenance and Airport Operations teams for their snow and ice control efforts here at SYR and it’s wonderful to see them recognized at the international level,” Aaron Harris, COO of SRAA, said in the announcement. “The numbers don’t lie: less than three hours of airfield closure for an entire season, in our climate? They have proven they are the best of the best.”
The team at the airport dealt with more than 115 inches of total snowfall in the 2024-2025 winter season and 18 snowfall events with greater than two inches of snow, SRAA said.
To be considered for the award, an airport must display excellence in the areas such as degree of in-depth preparedness, including a snow and ice control plan, equipment readiness, personnel training, and overall safety awareness.
