Aircraft Ground Handling in Cold Weather Conditions

The foundation of successful air travel begins long before the aircraft takes off and extends far beyond its landing—it all starts with the crucial operations happening on the ground.

Ground handlers are the unseen heroes of aviation; they play a pivotal role in ensuring every flight runs smoothly. So, what exactly do they do?

Ground handlers are responsible for a wide range of services, including de-icing and anti-icing, ramp handling services, fuelling supervision, and aircraft cleaning. They also manage passenger boarding, check-ins, visas, and cargo and luggage handling.

In addition, ground crews will handle catering arrangements and delivery, coordinate closely with flight crews and air traffic control (ATC), and manage ground support equipment (GSE).

However, when winter arrives, aviation faces a new set of challenges that elevate the role of ground handlers to an even greater level of importance. The cold weather and what it brings of heavy snowfall, icy runways, and frozen fuel can all create additional demand on ground crews.

Cleaning snow from the runaways and spraying the aircraft with de-icing and anti-icing fluids are just a few of the essential tasks that fall on their shoulders.

So, when it comes to winter and ground handling, the crew must be prepared for the increased workload and potential risks associated with these weather conditions. But before we discuss and explore the best practices ground handlers follow during winter, let’s first understand how this weather affects aviation.

Understanding the Impact of Cold Weather on Aviation

Flying in cold, dry weather can indeed be beneficial for planes. The denser air in such conditions provides extra lift to the wings, allowing them to operate more efficiently. However, despite these benefits, cold temperatures can also create challenges for aviation, such as:

Engine Performance

In extreme cold, low temperatures, jet fuel can freeze—especially if the aircraft has been on the ground for extended periods. This can disturb the fuel flow, requiring additional heating and monitoring. Besides, the aircraft engine may demand extra time to warm up and start efficiently, leading to possible delays.

Passenger Discomfort and Delays

Cold weather often comes with the unpleasant reality of delayed flights or, even worse, cancellations. Many factors can cause delays, such as snow and ice that ground handlers must remove from the aircraft and runways. This procedure requires time, and the more time it takes, the longer the waiting time for passengers is and the more crowded the airport becomes. 

Additionally, cold temperatures may cause malfunctions in some ground support equipment (GSE), such as passenger boarding stairs, ground power units, catering trucks, and cargo loaders. These challenging conditions can further delay flights and create additional stress and discomfort for travelers.

Increase Risk of Accidents

Snowstorms and fog can affect pilots’ vision. Not being able to see where the runway starts and ends can be a considerable obstacle. Therefore, during such conditions, flights could be delayed, air traffic control could become more complicated, and ground handling could become more complex.

Moreover, icy runways pose significant challenges to aviation. Snow can increase the risk of planes slipping during takeoff and landing, expanding the chances of accidents.

Best Practices for Efficient Ground Handling in Cold Weather

Pre-Flight Preparations and Checks

Preparing ahead of time helps ground crews more than we can imagine. Before every flight, ground handlers follow a comprehensive checklist, which becomes even more extensive during winter. They must conduct thorough inspections of ground support equipment, de-icing fluids, hydraulic systems, fuel tanks, and brake systems, just to name a few. 

Not only this, but pre-season planning plays a critical role in minimizing flight delays. By preparing the essential pieces of equipment in advance and training staff for quick, safe, and efficient operation, airport personnel can maintain on-time departures despite sudden and unpredictable weather changes.

De-Icing and Anti-Icing

De-icing is the most essential and crucial task a ground handling agency provides during winter. This process involves more than just scraping snow off the aircraft. Ground crews must spray the plane with de-icing and anti-icing fluids before and after each flight.

But what exactly do these fluids do? During high altitude, ice can form on the wings and the engine inlets, potentially compromising the plane’s lift and engine performance. De-icing fluids are designed to remove existing ice and frost buildup, while anti-icing fluids act as an extra protective barrier that ensures no new layers of ice form until the next takeoff.

Snow Removal and Tarmac Management

Airports’ runways, taxiways, and aprons—where aircraft are parked, refueled, boarded, and maintained—should be cleaned from snow and ice forming during winter. Ground handlers use snowplows, sweepers, blowers, and de-icing trucks to clear these areas. This safety measure ensures that the airport is in good shape and ready for takeoff without any delays.

Crew Training, Awareness, and Safety

Preparing for the unpredictable weather changes that winter brings starts with one crucial step: training pilots and ground handling crews. This training equips ground crews with efficient techniques for safely loading and unloading passengers, baggage, and cargo in icy and snow conditions.

They are also trained and prepared to manage the risks associated with extreme colds, such as frostbite, slips and falls, and hypothermia.

In addition, airports provide their crews with precautionary measures to ensure their safety during hazards. They are instructed to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as high-visibility vests, anti-slip boots, and safety helmets.

Real-Time Weather Monitoring

Observing weather forecasts is a must in any airport. When airports utilize advanced weather monitoring systems, it makes ground handlers’ jobs a bit easier—or smoother, to be exact. This crucial operation allows ground crews to plan ahead and take extra precautionary measures. Real-time weather monitoring not only saves airports time and money it also allows them to prepare and respond to any winter-related challenges, including snowstorms, blizzards, heavy rain, and thunderstorms.

By leveraging these insights, airports can make data-driven decisions to schedule flight departures efficiently and coordinate plane refueling and de-icing procedures. Early warnings empower airports to develop backup plans in case a flight gets delayed or diverted from its destination.

Coordination Among ATCs, Airports, and Ground Crews

Planning, directing, and flying a plane takes a village. Ground crews not only provide airports with efficient ground services but also work around the clock with different teams and crews, including air traffic controllers, pilots, cabin crew, and other airports. This coordination covers every aspect of air travel, from scheduling takeoffs and de-icing operations to managing passenger boarding and cargo handling. All these efforts are done with precision and attention to detail to ensure smooth travel operations during cold weather conditions.