Mother Nature Wreaks Havoc On Travel

[straitman]

Mother Nature Wreaks Havoc On Travel

Mar 1, 2010

By Jennifer Michels [email protected]
WASHINGTON

Earthquakes and floods in Central and South America, heavy snow showers in much of the Midwest and Northeast U.S., the threat of Tsunamis in the Pacific and strong winds in France are just a few of the acts of nature stranding passengers and causing massive flight cancellations around the world.

Santiago, Chile’s Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) is closed again today after an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude struck the country at 3:34 a.m. Feb. 27, which resulted in broken windows in the passenger terminal, as well as extensive damage to ceilings and walkways.

 

[samh004]

Are there any photos of the runway and tarmac? I saw photos from Santiago after the earthquake that showed roads broken all over the place. And according to wikipedia one runway has had constant problems with it, but there were no problems from the earthquake, which is a little odd.

Apparently the airport has been open since Tuesday with domestic flights during the day and international flight at night.

 

[straitman]

It was on the news today that the first flight from Santiago had arrived in SYD. It appears it was LA801 and that LA800 has departed on time also.

 

[docjames]

I believe Sam the issue was major damage to the terminal (and other buildings) plus the access road to/from the airport.

I dont believe the runways were damaged at all.

 

[samh004]

I believe Sam the issue was major damage to the terminal (and other buildings) plus the access road to/from the airport.

I dont believe the runways were damaged at all.

Oh I gather that, it just seems strange that major roads in Santiago bore the brunt of the damage while two 3.8KM runways and all taxiways had no damage.

 

[oz_mark]

The pictures of damaged roads I saw generally involved bridges or some other structure. Yhe roads themselves looked fairly intact.

Some fairly good pictures here Earthquake in Chile - The Big Picture - Boston.com

 

[Sprucegoose]

Oh I gather that, it just seems strange that major roads in Santiago bore the brunt of the damage while two 3.8KM runways and all taxiways had no damage.

If they are modern runways they are constructed to very high standards, the equivalent to about five highways in terms of thickness and strength, to put it in lay terms

cheers

SPRUCE