Winter service at Cologne Bonn Airport: Strategies and Technologies for Safe Flight Operations

Winter poses special challenges for airports, especially when it comes to avoiding ice and freezing moisture. At Cologne Bonn Airport, the winter service team relies on innovative strategies to guarantee safe and smooth flight operations even under extreme weather conditions. Precise weather forecasts and modern technologies are therefore indispensable.

Winter Service in 24/7 Flight Operations

As one of Germany’s largest airports and an important hub for international freight traffic, more than 845,000 tons of air freight were handled in Cologne/Bonn in 2024. This makes it the third largest airport in Germany in terms of cargo handling. In addition, the airport has an average of over 10 million passengers per year. The total area of 1,000 hectares encompasses runways, taxiways, parking positions for aircraft and various logistics facilities.

24/7 operation is a particular challenge. ” We operate on a fast-paced schedule, especially at night when the main operation is running,” explains Enrico Stolp, supervisor in the winter service. Especially between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., up to 120 aircraft take off and land here. “The runways must be usable at all times to avoid alternative landings to other airports.” To successfully master this challenge, accurate weather forecasts and a large team of trained employees who can work flexibly in shifts are required.

A Strong Team: 170 Employees Dedicated to Winter Road Maintenance

Behind the smooth running of the winter service at the airport, around 170 dedicated employees from various departments are available, who have applied for the winter service in addition to their regular work and actively support the airport here. These experts are not only responsible for clearing the runways, but also ensure continuous monitoring of weather conditions and efficient deployment planning. Regular training and further education on vehicles, de-icing materials and weather conditions are an essential part of the training to become a winter service employee in order to ensure the safety of airport operations at all times.

“Our 170 winter service employees come from a wide variety of areas of the airport – from technology to administration. This versatility makes our team particularly powerful. Around the clock, we work in direct coordination with the meteorologists from Weather Solutions. Thanks to their precise forecasts, we can optimally plan our operations and maintain flight operations even under extreme weather conditions. “

– Enrico Stolp, Supervisor Winter Service, Aviation Division at Flughafen Köln Bonn GmbH

Close cooperation between the airport’s winter service management and the meteorologists from Weather Solutions ensures that operational planning is both fast and efficient whenever winter sets in. This is due to the airport’s unique geographical location, which leads to meteorological peculiarities that large-scale regional forecasts often overlook.

Special Topographic Challenges – Why Precise Weather Data Is Crucial

Cologne Bonn Airport is located in a low-lying area that is surrounded by higher terrain, which creates unique local weather conditions. Snow is often forecast for the broader Rhineland region, but it can remain dry at the airport while surrounding areas see snowfall,” explains Marcel Eßer, Operations Manager Flight Operations & Winter Service, Aviation Division at Flughafen Köln Bonn GmbH.

“The unique topography around Cologne Bonn Airport creates specific challenges — temperature variations, shifting wind patterns, and microclimates all have a direct impact on the runways. The specific forecasts from Weather Solutions, tailored specifically to our airport grounds, allow us to plan with greater precision and make winter maintenance more efficient.”

– Marcel Eßer, Operations Manager Flight Operations & Winter Service, Aviation Division at Flughafen Köln Bonn GmbH

Even small temperature differences can have a significant impact. For example, the main runway 13L/31R has a height difference of around 20 meters. “We can have dry conditions on one end while it’s snowing at the other,” explains Stolp. To detect such variations, 27 sensors have been installed to monitor surface conditions in real time. This data is essential for runway condition reports, which are conducted in compliance with strict EASA requirements. As a result, the winter service team can act proactively, applying targeted gritting measures to prevent ice formation and ensure runway safety. With this modern sensor technology and hyperlocal forecasts from Weather Solutions, the emergency team receives highly accurate, location-specific forecasts.

Meteorological Experts for Winter Weather – Essential for Operational Planning

Tailored Weather Forecasts for the Airport’s Winter Maintenance

It’s not just about the general weather in Cologne, but how it develops specifically at the airport,” explains Stolp. Weather Solutions offers not only general forecasts, but also precise, location-specific predictions tailored to the airport’s unique conditions. The weather data in the MeteoFocus portal incorporates local sensor values and accounts for the distinct meteorological challenges of the region.

Exact Surface Forecasts for Optimized Spreading Measures

A decisive advantage of the Weather Solutions weather portal is the prediction of the ground temperature. “The surface temperature is one of the most important values for us,” emphasizes Marcel Eßer. If it is above zero degrees in combination with a lowered freezing temperature, ice formation is unlikely and snow tends not to remain on the ground – even if snowfall is expected. This avoids unnecessary gritting operations.

Precise Surface Forecasts for Optimized Gritting Measures

One of the key advantages of the Weather Solutions weather portal is its ability to predict ground temperatures. “The surface temperature is one of the most important factors for us,” emphasizes Marcel Eßer. When the surface temperature is above zero but with a lowered freezing point, ice formation is unlikely, and snow typically doesn’t accumulate — even when snowfall is expected. This helps avoid unnecessary gritting operations.

“MeteoFocus not only provides us with weather data, but also offers a solid foundation for decision-making. By closely collaborating with the meteorologists, we can take more precise action, optimize the use of gritting agents, and improve the overall efficiency of the entire winter service.“

– Enrico Stolp, Supervisor Winter Service, Aviation Division at Flughafen Köln Bonn GmbH

This is very important, because the airport relies on a preventive gritting system: special de-icing agents are applied even before an expected slippery surface formation to prevent ice formation. Thanks to MeteoFocus‘ highly accurate forecasts, the winter service can calculate exact quantities and apply them in a targeted manner, which could drastically reduce the overall amount of material and labor used, all while reducing the environmental impact.

Human Expertise as a Key Factor

“The meteorologists’ personal assessment often plays a more crucial role for us than the raw data in the reports,” explains Stolp. While many weather services rely on automated forecasts, Weather Solutions provides direct access to experienced meteorologists, available around the clock throughout the winter season. These meteorologists interpret forecasts tailored to each customer’s needs, offer personalized assessments, and support the winter service in making urgent decisions. This close collaboration is particularly valuable in dynamic weather situations where quick action is essential.

Flexible Access to Weather Data

MeteoFocus provides a user-friendly platform that can be accessed both on desktop and through a mobile app. “The iOS and Android app is perfect for quickly checking the weather when you’re not on-site at work,” says Stolp. On the other hand, Eßer prefers using the desktop version of MeteoFocus for detailed analyses and long-term deployment planning.

The real-time warnings are particularly advantageous for Stolp, the winter service operations manager. Not only are warnings and forecasts displayed on the MeteoFocus dashboard, but they are also sent via email, push notifications, and, if needed, SMS. This ensures quick response times, even during the night shift.

Efficiency Despite ongoing Flight Operations

A typical winter deployment scenario often begins with a weather analysis the evening before. “We assess what’s coming our way and plan our resources accordingly,” explains Eßer. If snow or ice is forecasted, emergency teams are ready to go early in the morning. Thanks to MeteoFocus‘ precise forecasts, the airport can respond in a targeted manner, ensuring optimal use of resources.

““Thanks to MeteoFocus‘ high-precision forecasts, specialized in winter road maintenance, we can respond more quickly and specifically to ice events at Cologne/Bonn Airport. The combination of state-of-the-art technology and direct advice from experienced meteorologists makes all the difference in operational planning.”

Marcel Eßer, Operations Manager Flight Operations & Winter Service, Aviation Division at Flughafen Köln Bonn GmbH

The combination of technological innovation, site-specific weather forecasts, and a flexible, well-organized winter maintenance strategy ensures that Cologne Bonn Airport remains operational, even in extreme weather conditions. Close cooperation with the meteorologists from Weather Solutions has proven to be a decisive factor in minimizing flight cancellations and ensuring safe operations.