For the autumn-winter period, the airport begins to prepare long before its onset. Ground handling services check serviceability of the technological and fire-technical equipment of the airfield and runway, communication facilities. Airport personnel undergoes theoretical and practical trainings. So, in the aerodrome and ground handling services, classes are held on the technology of working with aircraft in difficult weather conditions (snow, rain, ice, etc.). The aerodrome service ensures the aerodrome’s round-the-clock readiness for the flights by constantly cleaning the runway, measuring the braking coefficient of the runway, determining the runway surface condition and concluding that the airfield is suitable for flying. The special transport service ensures the constant maintenance of the entire fleet of special equipment.

Snow cleaning on the territory of the airfield is carried out by modern high-speed plow-brush trucks, and special machines treat aircraft with certified de-icing liquids. By the way, this is probably one of the most important moments, because precipitation (rain, snow) and rapid temperature change form the ice layer on aircraft surface, which can cause an accident. Before departure, the aircraft commander checks it for snow and ice accumulation. If they are found on the critical surface of the aircraft, then crew order de-icing service indicating single-stage or double-stage procedure. Procedure involves the removal of snow and ice contaminants and prevention from their reappearance in two stages. Usually Type 1 liquid applies in single-stage processing. It is always applied heated under high-pressure to remove the frozen contaminants and creates shortest hold-over time (HOT). In a two-stage procedure, Type 1 and 4 are used: that is, first removes frozen contaminants, and Type 4 creates longer hold over time and protects against repeated ice formation. Both types of liquids include the glycol that does not allow them to freeze.

Winter maintenance of the airfield and its cleaning from snow and other contaminants is carried out alternately in accordance with the rules:

The 1st stage includes the cleaning of the runway, active taxiways, safety shoulders to a width of 10m from the edge of the runway and apron.

2nd stage: preparation of a Grass runway (if available), cleaning of parking bays, other taxiways and taxi shoulders to a width of 10m;

3rd stage: cleaning of the airfield along the entire length to a width of 25m from the runway edge, cleaning of the roadsides of parking spots and apron, cleaning roads to provide access to radio navigation and communication facilities, fuel warehouse to name but a few.