To ensure the safe and efficient operation of flights at the capital airport under icy and snowy conditions, the BGS Apron Department and the Aircraft Maintenance Department—key pillars of de-icing support—have, based on their experience from previous years in adopting advanced de-icing practices, proactively planned ahead and systematically carried out preparatory work, including maintenance and upkeep of equipment and facilities, retraining and refresher courses for personnel, and logistical support. They are continuously striving to enhance their capability to provide effective de-icing services for aircraft.

The Apron Management Department and the Aircraft Maintenance Department have established a special ice-removal support team. They have updated and refined the ice-removal procedures in accordance with the airport’s ice-removal manual and revised the contingency plans. They have also completed the pre-positioning of 28 ice-removal vehicles and are conducting regular, ongoing training sessions on basket lift operations and ice-removal vehicle driving skills. In collaboration with the Airfield Operations Department and Hainan Airlines, they conducted a live, fixed-point ice-removal drill at Ice-Removal Apron No. 2. Following the drill, they reviewed its effectiveness, analyzed and summarized the issues identified during this support effort, and further optimized the support procedures. Additionally, they carried out a desktop ice-removal exercise, simulating the activation of a snowfall warning and the initiation of fixed-point ice removal. This exercise tested the ice-removal procedure’s activation capability, ice-removal resource management, resource allocation, command and control capabilities during the ice-removal implementation phase, and the coordination and cooperation among various departments. By comparing flight schedules and taking into account flight volumes, aircraft types, and parking positions, they calculated the demand for ice-removal vehicles for each time period, providing a basis for vehicle pre-positioning and scheduling, thereby enhancing the efficiency of ice-removal operations. Furthermore, as early as August, the Apron Management Department and the Aircraft Maintenance Department had already launched theoretical and practical training for ice-removal support personnel. The trainees completed both the training and practical assessments according to the latest, valid ice-removal training syllabus and course content, laying a solid foundation for the safe and smooth execution of ice-removal operations.

The apron and maintenance departments will closely monitor weather changes, make thorough preparations for de-icing emergencies, firmly uphold the safety bottom line, and ensure the safe arrival and departure of every flight.