Safe Flight Operations in Icy and Snowy Conditions
To ensure safe operations around the clock even in winter weather conditions, Munich Airport has a winter service in place from the beginning of November to mid-April. The winter service team is deployed in icy and snowy conditions, comprising 184 vehicles, 152 for the airfield and 32 for roads, paths, and parking areas in the public area. Over 600 personnel are employed, with around 520 from agriculture and transport companies in the region, ensuring that approximately 200 staff per shift keep airport areas free from snow and ice.
The winter service is coordinated by Munich Airport's traffic management, which monitors operational areas 24/7 using weather forecasts and a black ice early warning system connected to 18 measuring stations. Special vehicles continuously check runway braking performance, while large areas including two runways, aprons, and taxiways, covering 5.6 million square meters, are cleared using specialized equipment such as 22 snow blowers, 5 loading snow blowers, and a snow groomer.
Mechanical cleaning of traffic areas is prioritized for environmental reasons, using de-icing agents only when necessary. Meltwater is collected in gutters and retained in controlled basins to prevent groundwater contamination. Cleared snow is transported to six snow dumps, with an underground collection basin ensuring environmental safety. For sustainability, vehicles are fueled with renewable HVO 100 diesel and cucumber water is used on public roads to replace conventional salt.
Aircraft are de-iced before takeoff by the so-called "polar bears" of EFM, a joint subsidiary of Lufthansa and Munich Airport. The de-icing fluid is largely collected and recycled. Despite extensive preparations, extreme ice and snow conditions remain a major operational challenge, with flight safety always being the top priority.
Source: Munich Airport — Winter Service Operations 2025
