The decision to de-ice an aircraft is made by the responsible pilot. The de-icing of aircraft at Munich Airport is the exclusive responsibility of EFM. Our company is capable of de-icing all aircraft types – from small Learjets to the enormous Airbus A380 – and performs up to 68 de-icing operations per hour.

Aircraft must be free of ice and snow before take-off, because a build-up on the wings and control surfaces causes the aerodynamic properties to deteriorate. This means that the aircraft needs a longer take-off roll, for instance, which in turn delays lift-off and may even result in an abandoned take-off.

Consequently, the Clean Aircraft Concept (ISO 11076) is mandatory around the world. This standard stipulates that an aircraft can take off only after it is completely freed of frost, ice, snow and slush (de-icing) and adequately protected against the formation of new ice (anti-icing).

The official de-icing season at Munich Airport extends from early October until the end of April. However, de-icing may also be necessary in July. For instance, when an aircraft lands in Munich after a long flight, the local air temperature may be +15 °C, whereas the remaining fuel in the tanks has a temperature below -30 °C. If it rains during the aircraft’s turnaround time, the heat absorption of the cold fuel can lead to the formation of a sheet of clear ice on the wing surface. It can be so smooth and transparent that it is invisible to the naked eye.

At Munich Airport approximately 95 percent of all aircraft are de-iced just before take-off with their engines running at special de-icing pads (the remote areas) at the heads of the runways. There are three de-icing pads for each take-off direction on the north and south runways. Each de-icing pad is provided with several de-icing vehicles.

As much of the sprayed de-icing fluid as possible is collected at the remote areas. It is treated at the airport's recycling facility to produce new de-icing fluid. Because of the proximity of the remote areas to the runway, they also have the advantage that aircraft can take off within the shortest possible time after being de-iced. This minimizes the possibility that the hold-over time for the de-icing fluid will be exceeded, which necessitates a repeat de-icing operation. Remote de-icing ensures safety, saves time, reduces costs, limits the quantity of de-icing fluid used and protects the environment.

In some cases aircraft are de-iced on the apron. However, this happens only when it is not possible to de-ice the aircraft with running engines at the remote areas, for special de-icing procedures such as under-wing de-icing, or when de-icing aircraft outside the de-icing season. For example, propeller aircraft without propeller brakes and propeller planes in the general aviation segment are de-iced on the apron. In these cases, de-icing is performed at the parking position of the aircraft.

Ice and snow on turbine blades and propellers can cause vibrations and lead to engine damage. Consequently, engines and propellers must also be de-iced before take-off. This task is performed using hot air.