Safe Winter Take-Offs: How PortGround Uses Weather Forecasts to Keep Winter Air Traffic Moving
When ice, frost, or snow affect air traffic in winter, there’s no room for improvisation. Decisions must be made quickly and reliably – in planning, in technology, and in timing. At Leipzig/Halle and Dresden airports, PortGround GmbH is responsible for aircraft deicing.
With a well-designed system, modern equipment, and precise meteorological support, the company ensures that aircraft can take off safely even under winter conditions. And location-specific weather forecasts play a decisive role in making that possible.
Structured Processes for Critical Minutes
With 1.4 million tonnes of air freight each year, Leipzig/Halle Airport is Germany’s second-largest cargo airport and home to DHL’s biggest global hub. The airport runs around the clock – especially at night when express cargo flights dominate. In winter, rapid action is crucial whenever ice or slippery conditions may occur.
Unlike many airports, deicing at Leipzig/Halle doesn’t take place at the gates but exclusively on dedicated deicing pads located directly next to the runway. This avoids additional taxiing, speeds up departures, and increases operational safety.
“Our aircraft are ready for take-off immediately after deicing. No pushback, no detours – it’s efficient and reduces risks.”
— Jürgen Lange, Coordinator Deicing Operations, PortGround GmbH
PortGround’s team works in a three-shift system, supported by seasonal staff from other departments who undergo both theoretical and practical training before winter begins. Depending on the weather, deicing is done in one or two steps: first with heated type 1 fluid to clear snow, ice, and frost, and if needed, with thicker, cold-resistant type 4 fluid to stop re-freezing during taxiing.
Weather Forecasts as the Basis for Planning
To ensure that every deicing operation is safe, efficient, and traceable, PortGround has been working with Weather Solutions since the 2019 winter season. The decision was straightforward: the airport’s winter service department was already a customer, and their positive experience made the choice easy.
Through Weather Solutions’ MeteoFocus weather portal, Jürgen Lange’s team receives location-specific forecasts in high time resolution – including temperature, dew point, wind, precipitation type, and a specially configured deicing index. For PortGround, this index is a central planning tool. Every day at 5 p.m., the Duty Manager Deicing and the traffic control center meet to decide what measures to implement for the coming night.
Building on this, the close cooperation between the PortGround’s deicing management and Weather Solutions meteorologists ensures that planning can be carried out quickly and efficiently whenever winter weather strikes. Because of its unique geographical location, the airport also experiences weather patterns that broad regional forecasts don’t capture – which makes local expertise even more important.
Live Data Straight from the Wing
At Leipzig/Halle, an in-house weather station with sensors monitors wing surface temperature. PortGround was the first Weather Solutions customer to use this technology in live operations. The data flows straight into the assessments and is included in the deicing index.
This gives the team an extra layer of support in daily decision-making and strengthens documentation. If airlines have questions, PortGround can provide precise evidence of the conditions during deicing and explain why a specific method was chosen.
“We don’t rely on gut feeling. Real-time sensor data gives us a clear advantage and provides the basis for choosing the right deicing procedure to keep flights safe.”
– Jürgen Lange, Coordinator Deicing Operations, PortGround GmbH
Extreme Weather: Forecast, Preparation, Execution
The partnership between PortGround and Weather Solutions has also proven its value during extreme weather. In February 2021, forecasts signaled a major snowstorm. MeteoFocus data picked up the situation early, giving PortGround time to increase staffing, prepare vehicles, and adjust processes. When over 30 centimeters of snow arrived, operations carried on smoothly – well prepared and reliably executed.
“We increased staffing in time because we knew what was coming. That made all the difference. Without reliable forecasts, handling such weather would have been extremely difficult.”
— Jürgen Lange, Referent Flugzeugenteisung, PortGround GmbH
In moments like these, direct contact with the Weather Solutions meteorology team is especially valuable. For complex scenarios, coordination is quick, expert, and to the point.
Reliable Planning – Even in Harsh Conditions
Whether in day-to-day operations or in exceptional cases, the value of accurate forecasts is clear. For common situations such as frost, high humidity, or freezing fog, MeteoFocus provides a reliable foundation for decision-making.
All measurement data is recorded, archived, and available on demand – a key part of PortGround’s quality standards. This not only improves traceability but also drives continuous improvement.
Conclusion: Weather as a Core Part of the System
PortGround demonstrates what professional aircraft deicing requires: smart infrastructure, skilled staff, and precise weather support. MeteoFocus is more than a forecasting tool – it is built into daily decision-making, supports planning, and provides data for complete documentation.
By combining live weather data, local expertise, technical know-how, and meteorological guidance, PortGround has created a system that doesn’t just react – it takes the lead. For airports, winter services, and other safety-critical infrastructures, this isn’t optional – it’s essential.
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