Aircraft deicing

The decision as to whether the aircraft is deiced always rests with the pilot. There are two ways to place a request: the pilot reports his deicing requirement via data link in the cockpit (ACARS) or an aircraft radio frequency.

NICE then creates an order ticket and reports the expected deicing time and planned location. The aircraft is deiced either at its current parking position or on one of our remote deicing pads.

Before the actual deicing process, a so-called "ICEMAN" coordinates details and begins the deicing process with the cockpit crew.

At the scheduled time, a NICE team drives with the deicing vehicles to the aircraft's handling position (position deicing), or the aircraft taxis to a special deicing site near the respective runway (remote deicing).

For deicing, we use vehicles with a so-called double-proportional mixing system. These vehicles meet all needs for fast and sustainable deicing and are suitable for use on all aircraft types, including the A380.

Double-proportional means that both the deicing to remove contamination and Anti-Icing to protect the aircraft can be individually adapted to respective weather conditions. This ensures that de-icing is as efficient and resource-saving as possible.

Deicing takes around 10-15 minutes, depending on weather conditions and aircraft contamination

After deicing is complete, the "ICEMAN" transmits a so-called "Anti-Icing code" to the aircraft crew.

The "Anti-Icing code" contains information on the required concentration and type of de-icing agent used, as well as the starting time for anti-icing in order to determine the hold time. The code also states that the aircraft is free of ice, frost and snow and that all vehicles are outside the aircraft's taxiing area.

The aircraft can now taxi to the runway, regardless of whether it was deiced at the handling position or our special deicing pads.