When winter brings snow and ice to the ramp, having the proper equipment in place allows ground handlers to keep departures on schedule. By Josh Smith W inter conditions pose a challenge for every facet of aviation. Whether an airline, ground handler or ground support equipment (GSE) manufacturer, cold weather conditions are on the forefront of many minds as all parties share the same priority of keeping commercial aircraft operating on time. That's why deicers, heaters, snowplows and other winter equipment become paramount when ice and snow begin to accumulate at an airport. 16 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE FEBRUARY 2020 "The winter season can throw such a wrench into how the airline industry is ran," explains Luke Brown, director of sales at Ground Support Specialist. "All the equipment changes because of how complicated winter can get. "Still, planes need to take-off no matter what the weather."