Winter Ops at Airports: Mastering Snow Removal for Safer Skies Insights inspired by practical training resources on real-world hazards and regs.
Regulatory compliance or safety, or both?
Winter operations represent one of the most demanding challenges in aerodrome management. Snow, ice, and slush can rapidly compromise runway friction, aircraft performance, and overall safety — both on the ground and in the air.
A compelling training video titled “16 Winter Operations – Snow Removal” (available also here) brilliantly illustrates these realities by combining authentic operational scenarios with systematic hazard identification through the hazard register, a key element of any effective Safety Management System (SMS).
This article briefly explores the critical importance of snow removal, the regulatory backbone provided by ICAO Annex 14 and EASA Regulation (EU) No 139/2014, and practical best practices that help aerodrome operators maintain safe conditions.
Why Snow Removal Matters
Contaminated surfaces directly affect aircraft braking action, directional control, and takeoff/landing performance, including taxiing and aircraft parking.
Ground operations face additional risks: vehicle-aircraft conflicts, foreign object debris (FOD) from snow banks, equipment limitations in extreme cold, and coordination challenges between multiple stakeholders.
The referenced video emphasises that these are not just operational issues, they are identifiable hazards that must be proactively managed through risk assessment and mitigation. A well-structured hazard register helps turn real-life experiences into preventive actions.
Regulatory framework
ICAO Annex 14, Volume I – Aerodrome Design and Operations sets the international standard and recommended practices (SARPs); which just to recap are primary source of legislation; which shall comply as applicable. (It tell you what to achieve, but not how and safely).
Chapter 10 (Aerodrome Maintenance), particularly Section 10.3 – Removal of Contaminants, requires that snow, slush, ice, and other contaminants be removed from movement areas “as rapidly and completely as practicable”. Information on snow removal and ice control and removal of other contaminants is given in the PANS-Aerodromes (Doc 9981).
Detailed guidance is provided in the Airport Services Manual (Doc 9137), Parts 2 (Pavement Surface Conditions) and 9 (Airport Maintenance Practices).
In Europe, these ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) are implemented through Commission Regulation (EU) No. 139/2014 (the Aerodromes Regulation).
ADR.OPS.B.035 – Operations in winter conditions states
“The aerodrome operator shall, when the aerodrome is expected to operate in conditions when snow, slush or ice may accumulate on the movement area, develop and implement a snow plan. Then it continues with the snow plan and AIP information”
This requirement is supported by Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM), which cover:
- Development and implementation of a Snow Plan (usually included in the Aerodrome Manual)
- Procedures for surface condition assessment and reporting using the Global Reporting Format (GRF)
- Equipment and resource requirements
- Snow bank profile management (to prevent aircraft damage or incursions)
- Coordination with air traffic services, airlines, and ground handlers
- Training and competency of personnel
Compliance with these rules is not optional, it is a certification requirement for EASA-certificated aerodromes.
Key Elements of an Effective Snow Removal Programme
Successful winter operations go beyond simply having equipment. They require integrated planning and execution (see TIPs for auditors here below):
- Pre-season preparation — Equipment readiness, personnel training, and stakeholder coordination meetings
- Prioritised clearing strategy — Runways first, followed by taxiways, aprons, and other critical areas
- Appropriate equipment mix — Displacement plows, rotary snow blowers, sweepers/brooms, and chemical de-icers/anti-icers
- Real-time assessment & reporting — Use of GRF (Runway Condition Codes) aligned with ICAO standards
- Snow bank management — Maintaining safe profiles at runway and taxiway edges
- SMS integration — Continuous hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation (exactly as shown in the training video)
Turning Hazards into Controls
The strength of modern aviation safety lies in moving from reactive to proactive management. The video’s approach, pairing real operational footage with the hazard register, perfectly demonstrates this principle.
Every snow removal operation should be analysed for:
- Collision risks between vehicles and aircraft, as well as vehicles and vehicles
- Contamination effects on aircraft performance
- Communication breakdowns
- Environmental and equipment limitations
- Who is leading the process (it can be long and exhausting)
Effective controls include robust procedures, clear responsibilities, regular drills, and a strong safety culture, including safety reporting. In aviation operations, errors are inevitable, but manageable. The difference between good and excellent organisations lies in their ability to convert these errors into new competencies before they escalate or lead to negative outcomes.
Conclusion
Snow removal is far more than a maintenance task, it is a core safety function that directly protects lives, asset and reputation and enables reliable air transport during the most challenging weather conditions.
By aligning practical operations with the requirements of ICAO Annex 14 (Chapter 10) and EASA Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 (ADR.OPS.B.035), aerodrome operators can deliver safe, legal, effective, efficient winter operations while meeting their regulatory obligations.
Whether you are an aerodrome operator, accountable manager, safety manager, complience monitoring manager or aviation professional, I highly recommend reviewing your current Snow Plan and hazard register against these standards, and watching resources like the “16 Winter Operations – Snow Removal” video to reinforce some of the real-world critical processes awareness.
How is your organisation preparing for the next winter season? Share your experiences or best practices in the comments.
Auditor Tips:
How I Look for “Critical Processes or safety control barriers” in the Aerodrome Manual
As an auditor, one of the first things I check in an Aerodrome Manual (and its associated procedures) is the clear identification and proper management of Critical Processes. Here is my practical winter OPS checklist (not exhaustive, it depends on the type of aerodrome certification to be audited):
‘runway surface condition descriptors’ means one of the following substances on the surface of the runway:
(a) compacted snow: snow that has been compacted into a solid mass such that aeroplane tyres, at operating pressures and loadings, will run on the surface without significant further compaction or rutting of the surface;
(b) dry snow: snow from which a snowball cannot readily be made;
(c) frost: ice crystals formed from airborne moisture on a surface whose temperature is at or below freezing; frost differs from ice in that frost crystals grow independently and therefore, have a more granular texture;
(d) ice: water that has frozen or compacted snow that has transitioned into ice in cold and dry conditions;
(e) slush: snow that is so water-saturated that water will drain from it when a handful is picked up or will splatter if stepped on forcefully;
(f) standing water: water of depth greater than 3 mm;
(g) wet ice: ice with water on top of it or ice that is melting;
(h) wet snow: snow that contains enough water to be able to make a well compacted, solid snowball, but water will not squeeze out;
‘SNOWTAM’ means a special series NOTAM given in a standard format, which provides a surface condition report notifying the presence or cessation of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush, frost, standing water or water associated with snow, slush, ice, or frost on the movement area;
Reg. (EU) 139/2014 Annex 2 – Snowtam Format
‘specially prepared winter runway’ means a runway with a dry frozen surface of compacted snow or ice, or both, which has been treated with sand or grit or has been mechanically treated to improve runway friction;
AMC2 ADR.OR.D.027(d)(1);(d)(2) Safety programmes and aerodrome safety committees, (c)(9) snow & ice control issues.
Aerodrome Manual, E. PART E — PARTICULARS OF OPERATING PROCEDURES OF THE AERODROME, ITS EQUIPMENT, AND SAFETY MEASURES, (24) Procedures for winter operations, including snow removal plan and procedures for its implementation as well as description of the available means and relevant arrangements.
GM3 ADR.OPS.A.005(a) Aerodrome data, FRICTION MEASURING DEVICES (nice to have it)
AMC1 ADR.OPS.A.015 Coordination between aerodrome operators, and providers of aeronautical information services Reporting (snow ((a) (3)&(5), ((b) (14), (d) (4)).
GM1 ADR.OPS.A.057(d)(4) Origination of NOTAM – SNOWTAM FORMAT, GM2 ADR.OPS.A.057(d)(4) Origination of NOTAM
ADR.OPS.A.060 Reporting of surface contaminants
ADR.OPS.A.065 Reporting of the runway surface condition, AMC1 ADR.OPS.A.065(a) Reporting of the runway surface condition, GM1 ADR.OPS.A.065(a) Reporting of the runway surface condition, GM2 ADR.OPS.A.065(a) Reporting of the runway surface condition (RWY condition report), GM3 ADR.OPS.A.065(a) Reporting of the runway surface condition, GM4 ADR.OPS.A.065(a) Reporting of the runway surface condition,
AMC1 ADR.OPS.A.065(b);(c) Reporting of the runway surface, GM1 ADR.OPS.A.065(b);(c) Reporting of the runway surface
GM1 ADR.OPS.B.015 Monitoring and inspection of movement area and related facilities, PAVEMENTS AND ADJACENT GROUND SURFACES INSPECTION
ADR.OPS.B.035 Operations in winter conditions, AERODROME SNOW PLAN
AMC1 ADR.OPS.B.035(a) Operations in winter conditions, AMC2 ADR.OPS.B.035(a) Operations in winter conditions, ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES
AMC1 ADR.OPS.B.035(a)(1) Operations in winter conditions, USE OF MATERIALS FOR DE/ANTI-ICING OF PAVED SURFACES
GM1 ADR.OPS.B.035(a)(2) Operations in winter conditions, PREPARATION FOR DE-ICING/ANTI-ICING OPERATIONS IN COOPERATION WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS CONCERNED
ADR.OPS.B.036 Operations on specially prepared winter runways, AMC1 ADR.OPS.B.036(b)(1)(i) Operations on specially prepared winter runways. GM1 ADR.OPS.B.036(b)(1)(i) Operations on specially prepared winter runways, PROCEDURES FOR USE OF SAND OR GRIT
AMC1 ADR.OPS.B.036(b)(1)(ii) Operations on specially prepared winter runways,, METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS
AMC2 ADR.OPS.B.050 Operations in adverse weather conditions. RISK MITIGATION.
AMC1 ADR.OPS.B.070(d) Aerodrome works safety, PROCEDURE FOR REDUCED RUNWAY LENGTH OPERATIONS
GM1 ADR.OPS.B.100(a) Suspension of runway operations and runway closure. SUSPENSION OF RUNWAY OPERATIONS.
GM2 ADR.OPS.C.015(b) Maintenance of visual aids and electrical systems. LED LIGHTS — MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME — ICING AND SNOWING CONDITIONS.
GM1 ADR.OPS.C.015(d);(f) Maintenance of visual aids and electrical systems. MARKINGS AND SIGNS.
AND OF COURSE ALL THOS cs THAT ARE AFFECTED BY WINTER OPS.
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