Denver International Shut Down Due To WX

bomber996 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:14 pm

It would appear that DIA has basically shut down.

FlightAware is showing aircraft are being held at their origin until 1500 MST.

Runway 16R/34L Lights OTS, Runway 35L approach lights OTS, no power to Concourse B and C, and no power to the fuel farm.

Fun day for all involved.

Rdh3e · Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:24 pm

From their facebook page:
___________________________

Denver International Airport has made the decision to close the airport until further notice. Weather and visibility are such that it is not safe for aircraft to arrive or depart at this time. Additionally, Pena Boulevard is currently impassable. Crews are working to clear Pena Blvd. and relieve some of the congestion but passengers should not plan on coming to the airport until further notice. For those passengers currently at the airport, we are asking you to stay put until conditions improve and Pena Boulevard is safe and passable. The airport will make announcements when Pena Boulevard is again safe for travel.

http://www.facebook.com/denverinternationalairport/?fref=ts

jporterfi · Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:36 pm

WN 4476, which was scheduled to fly MDW-DEN-LAS is now skipping DEN and flying MDW-LAS directly.
OO5717 (original destination: ASE) is now diverting to GJT - many other flights are diverting to GJT.

Spacepope · Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:50 pm

Here in the mountains directly to the southwest of DEN it is BAD today. Snow, strong winds, whiteout. Visibility is just a few hundred feet max. I don't blame them one bit. We're even getting sent home from work early before the roads ice up any more.

ramprat74 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:52 pm

When I worked at Stapleton, we were told that DIA would never shut down.

OA412 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:05 pm

Not surprising. I know a few flights got in and out early this morning, but it's pretty bad out there and it's still coming down. Most everyone in my office is working from today.

crazytoaster · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:08 pm

Well hope it opens up for tomorrow. Have a connecting flight through DEN tomorrow afternoon.

cageyjames · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:12 pm

Quoting ramprat74 (Reply 4):
When I worked at Stapleton, we were told that DIA would never shut down.

Honestly sounds like it is a bigger issue with Peña Boulevard than anything.

OA412 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:30 pm

Quoting crazytoaster (Reply 6):
Well hope it opens up for tomorrow. Have a connecting flight through DEN tomorrow afternoon.

You'll probably be fine. It's supposed to be 51 and sunny tomorrow. Oh Colorado...

bomber996 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:31 pm

Quoting cageyjames (Reply 7):

Negative... My understanding is that field lights are more to blame. When 35L's approaches lights went out it limited arrivals to 1800RVR.

toltommy · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:35 pm

Quoting ramprat74 (Reply 4):
When I worked at Stapleton, we were told that DIA would never shut down.

And that's why they say "never is a long long time".

Stitch · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:37 pm

Quoting ramprat74 (Reply 4):
When I worked at Stapleton, we were told that DIA would never shut down.

I remember a major snow event in the mid-2000s and they filled every seat on my DEN-SEA 777 to get folks to an alternate as "we were one of the last planes getting out".

N104UA · Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:57 pm

UA 183 NRT-DEN took a 90 degree turn over YVR and diverted to SFO, https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL138

although it appears that LH and BA from FRA and LHR are still flying towards DEN, but wouldn't be surprised if they divert to MSP, ORD, or SLC due to current flight paths.

Brick · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:13 pm

Last time LH diverted from DEN to SLC the crew timed out and the passengers got stuck in SLC. Two days later LH ferried the aircraft back to FRA empty.

Frontier CUN-DEN diverted to AUS.

EGE is having issues as well. AA from MIA and LAX circled for a long time, but eventually landed. DL from ATL went to Grand Junction. UA from EWR diverted to Hayden.

What makes this storm bad besides the rare blizzard conditions within the Denver metro area, was how badly the forecast was blown. 24 hours before the storm, the forecast called for 2-4" of snow. At the start of the storm, the forecast was for 6-10". I've got over 18" of undrifted snow on my patio located in south Denver 9 hours into the storm. The storm still has 2-5 more hours to go.

roseflyer · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:26 pm

A morning UA EWR-DEN flight and B6 BOS-DEN flight made as far as Iowa before diverting back to EWR and BOS. They must have decided that the weather was not going to get better because it is rare for a plane two hours into its flight to divert all the way back to its original departure city. More than half the 10am arrival bank diverted for United. That's a lot of planes and people in the wrong place. IAH and ORD got some of the diversions, so we know lots of planes will eventually make their way to Denver.

LAXintl · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:28 pm

United cancelled their schedule for the remainder of Wednesday at DEN and now working on a recovery schedule to Thursday based on aircraft and crew availability.

OA412 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:31 pm

Quoting N104UA (Reply 12):
although it appears that LH and BA from FRA and LHR are still flying towards DEN, but wouldn't be surprised if they divert to MSP, ORD, or SLC due to current flight paths.

Looks like they're both now diverting. LH to DTW, BA to LAS.

nitepilot79 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:33 pm

Quoting crazytoaster (Reply 6):
Well hope it opens up for tomorrow. Have a connecting flight through DEN tomorrow afternoon.

If you scroll down a little bit to the blue bars, you'll see that the snow is coming to an end shortly...

http://www.9news.com/weather

SPREE34 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:36 pm

Quoting cageyjames (Reply 7):
Honestly sounds like it is a bigger issue with Peña Boulevard than anything.

Quoting bomber996 (Reply 9):
Negative... My understanding is that field lights are more to blame. When 35L's approaches lights went out it limited arrivals to 1800RVR.

It's Pena Blvd, approach lights, and power outages in terminals and field facilities. Power was lost feeding the fuel farm and deice facility. Can't pump fuel, can't pump glycol, can't get to or from the airport by ground, and if you fly in, you won't fly out. This isn't my understanding, this is from local media and monitoring airport radio comms.

winterlight · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:37 pm

Global warming for you.

smokeybandit · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:44 pm

Quoting crazytoaster (Reply 6):
Well hope it opens up for tomorrow. Have a connecting flight through DEN tomorrow afternoon.

It's Denver. A blizzard today could be all melted tomorrow

Brick · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:48 pm

I just shoveled snow that was up to my mid thigh in south Denver. Granted that's drifted snow, but it ain't going to melt by tomorrow.

canadianpylon · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:55 pm

Quoting toltommy (Reply 10):
Quoting ramprat74 (Reply 4):
When I worked at Stapleton, we were told that DIA would never shut down.

And that's why they say "never is a long long time".

'Always' and 'Never' are words you should always never use.

sw733 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:56 pm

Quoting OA412 (Reply 16):
LH to DTW,

Interesting choice. I wonder what the driving force behind that was.

toering · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:00 pm

I was one of the unlucky few that made it in but couldn't fly out To my final destination (PHX). The blizzard was so bad I figured it would be best to settle on a flight out of here for tomorrow early, and I'm glad I did! Now tomorrow's flights are filled. Hats off to the United and airport staff for doing a great job despite the nasty weather.

cageyjames · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:03 pm

Quoting sw733 (Reply 23):
Interesting choice. I wonder what the driving force behind that was.

Clearly all the Star Alliance connections.

usflyer msp · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:09 pm

It is days like this I am glad that my carrier of choice (AA) has five mild-winter hubs...

Be safe out there DEN workers...

DocLightning · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:14 pm

Quoting OA412 (Reply 16):

Looks like they're both now diverting. LH to DTW, BA to LAS.

Why not divert to ORD where they can be put on UA to DEN later?

usflyer msp · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:40 pm

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 27):

Why not divert to ORD where they can be put on UA to DEN later?

I doubt UA is going to have any open seats on UA Hub-DEN flights for several days...

N104UA · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:45 pm

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 27):

Quoting OA412 (Reply 16):

Looks like they're both now diverting. LH to DTW, BA to LAS.

Why not divert to ORD where they can be put on UA to DEN later?

I am trying to figure that out too, could a crew timing situation where if they divert to ORD crew could time out so they couldn't try to fly to DEN. Right now it is showing on LH they are scheduled to fly to DEN, looks like they are going to get everyone to clear customs in DTW then try to continue to DEN today. Could have also diverted to DTW due to number of hotel rooms in DTW compared to ORD with many UA flight having diverted to ORD

YYZAMS · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:48 pm

Quoting usflyer msp (Reply 26):

Yes, though every hub has its downfall. DFW in summer is a nightmare when thunderstorms roll in and you are 50 deep on a taxiway or cancelled

ScottB · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:58 pm

Quoting crazytoaster (Reply 6):
Well hope it opens up for tomorrow. Have a connecting flight through DEN tomorrow afternoon.

If you're only connecting through DEN, and if you're going somewhere accessible via another hub, it might be wise to take advantage of your airline's travel waiver policy if possible...

Sooner787 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:58 pm

Quoting YYZAMS (Reply 30):
Yes, though every hub has its downfall. DFW in summer is a nightmare when thunderstorms roll in and you are 50 deep on a taxiway or cancelled

And there's a chance we might have storms rolling thru DFW tonight as well

Brick · Wed Mar 23, 2016 10:14 pm

Quoting Sooner787 (Reply 32):
If you're only connecting through DEN, and if you're going somewhere accessible via another hub, it might be wise to take advantage of your airline's travel waiver policy if possible...

Good advice. Even though the sun will be out on Thursday, there is going to be a lot of crew and aircraft out of place which will probably take a good part of the day to recover from the storm. Plus, the roads to DIA are going to be bad in the morning which is going to affect the ability of airline and airport employees to get to work. By late afternoon, things should be getting back to normal.

[Edited 2016-03-23 15:20:29]

OA412 · Wed Mar 23, 2016 10:36 pm

Quoting sw733 (Reply 23):
Interesting choice. I wonder what the driving force behind that was.

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 27):
Why not divert to ORD where they can be put on UA to DEN later?

I was wondering the same. ORD would certainly make more sense given the UA hub and larger LH presence. Perhaps ORD couldn't take any additional diverts.

Quoting YYZAMS (Reply 30):
Yes, though every hub has its downfall. DFW in summer is a nightmare when thunderstorms roll in and you are 50 deep on a taxiway or cancelled

Indeed. And to be fair, a storm like today's is quite rare. Most storms that come through here don't cause closures, because the city and airport are well prepared to deal with them. Besides, in spite of today's storm, winter here is actually not all that bad. It's far more mild than a lot of people think.

airfrnt · Wed Mar 23, 2016 10:54 pm

Quoting ramprat74 (Reply 4):

When I worked at Stapleton, we were told that DIA would never shut down.

I think they can be forgiven a shutdown every decade or so, especially when compared to Stapleton with it's horrific ILS situation, and it's tendency to close when a inch of snow hit the ground.

As a side note, a big problem is the high water content of the snow. It's freezing solid like a brick, and apparently very difficult to clear from roads (and one assumes runways and tarmac).

roseflyer · Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:35 pm

Quoting N104UA (Reply 29):
Quoting DocLightning (Reply 27):

Quoting OA412 (Reply 16):

Looks like they're both now diverting. LH to DTW, BA to LAS.

Why not divert to ORD where they can be put on UA to DEN later?

I am trying to figure that out too, could a crew timing situation where if they divert to ORD crew could time out so they couldn't try to fly to DEN. Right now it is showing on LH they are scheduled to fly to DEN, looks like they are going to get everyone to clear customs in DTW then try to continue to DEN today. Could have also diverted to DTW due to number of hotel rooms in DTW compared to ORD with many UA flight having diverted to ORD

ORD may not have had any gates to accept the flight. DTW is a LH outstation so they have staff in place. LH probably plans to overnight and DTW and fly to DEN tomorrow with its own plane. There is no need for United connections. DTW may have had a gate and staff available whereas Chicago may have not have had as many resources available since the international terminal is quite crowded with every gate used in the late afternoon.

icelandair75w · Thu Mar 24, 2016 11:02 am

ORD was it's own mess yesterday, inbound delays and fog/low clouds. It was a fairly nice day at DTW yesterday.

kgaiflyer · Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:02 pm

Quoting toering (Reply 24):
Hats off to the United and airport staff for doing a great job despite the nasty weather.

The same from me for last Thursday (March 17th-18th) when snow caused many late afternoon and evening flights to misconnect.

Airport restaurants stayed open and Gateway Boulevard and Tower Road hotels took on extra help - hard to do on short notice.

Brick · Thu Mar 24, 2016 4:13 pm

Quoting toering (Reply 24):
Hats off to the United and airport staff for doing a great job despite the nasty weather.

What did they do that was such a great job? The airport was shut down for most of the day. United cancelled all flights except for a few that made it out in the morning.

usflyer msp · Thu Mar 24, 2016 4:57 pm

Quoting kgaiflyer (Reply 38):
Airport restaurants stayed open and Gateway Boulevard and Tower Road hotels took on extra help - hard to do on short notice.

Not really difficult, since the employees that were there were unable to leave due to the road closures...

manny · Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:13 pm

So what happened to the BA flight diverted to LAS and LH flight to DTW.

Brick · Thu Mar 24, 2016 10:54 pm

BA ferried back to DEN this afternoon and looks to be ferried to Cardiff overnight.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/GCIVO

LH is still at DTW and presumably will be ferried back to FRA on Friday.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DABVS

[Edited 2016-03-24 15:56:35]

tb727 · Thu Mar 24, 2016 11:01 pm

Quoting Brick (Reply 42):
LH is still at DTW and presumably will be ferried back to FRA on Friday.

I was surprised to see it still sitting there when I landed at 5pm today.

Brick · Fri Mar 25, 2016 2:04 am

LH is on its way back to FRA from DTW now.

BA is on its way from DEN to Cardiff at the moment as well.

[Edited 2016-03-24 19:05:49]

Web500sjc · Fri Mar 25, 2016 2:22 am

Quoting Brick (Reply 44):

Why would BA reposition to Cardiff? Why not LHR, is the aircraft going straight into maintenance?

luv2cattlecall · Fri Mar 25, 2016 4:47 am

If a DEN based airline's (F9) NOC is hypothetically inaccessible, especially if the entire city was clogged with snow, would that force them to shut down flights systemwide?

manny · Fri Mar 25, 2016 7:08 am

Quoting Brick (Reply 42):
LH is still at DTW and presumably will be ferried back to FRA on Friday.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DABVS

I am surprised this flight did not make it to DEN. So how did the passengers on his flight get from non Star hub of DTW to DEN ?

alasizon · Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:12 am

Quoting luv2cattlecall (Reply 46):

If a DEN based airline's (F9) NOC is hypothetically inaccessible, especially if the entire city was clogged with snow, would that force them to shut down flights systemwide?

It depends on the backups they have. I don't know how their internal network is setup but I am sure they have a back up plan. All of the legacies have at least a 3rd tier plan in case the first two are down. Yes, the farther down you get, the more delays that occur but at least flights are moving. Mind you, if the NOC/SOC/IOC was down for a major, it would effect their flights more than their regional partners since the regional partner has their own SOC/OCC

roseflyer · Fri Mar 25, 2016 10:46 am

Quoting manny (Reply 47):
I am surprised this flight did not make it to DEN. So how did the passengers on his flight get from non Star hub of DTW to DEN ?

I am also surprised that they did not make it to Denver. There is no reason why LH had to depend on UA. Interline agreements are not the same as codeshares. Lufthansa just as easily can rebook people on Delta as they can United. While they probably don't have arrangements with airlines like frontier, spirit or soithwest, they probably do with Delta. The way interline agreements work is usually that it would cost about the same for Lufthansa to rebook on delta as it does United. Maybe there were enough seats between delta and United.

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