Snow and Ice on Rails and Runways - Now What? - Bavaria’s massive winter operations keep transport moving despite harsh conditions
Winter operations in Bavaria require significant efforts to keep transport running smoothly. Airports and railways deploy thousands of workers, specialized vehicles, and advanced weather systems to combat snow and ice. The scale of preparations mirrors the region’s vast infrastructure and harsh winter conditions.
Bavaria’s rail network spans over 10,330 kilometers of track, all of which must remain passable during winter. Deutsche Bahn relies on a custom weather system tracking 28 meteorological factors at 17,000 rail locations. More than 10,000 switches operate across the network, with 8,140 fitted with heating to prevent freezing. When extreme weather hits, 14,200 staff stand ready to clear tracks and switches manually.
Airports face equally huge challenges. Munich Airport’s two runways, aprons, and taxiways cover 5.6 million square meters—an area larger than 780 football pitches. To manage this, the airport uses 184 winter vehicles, including 71 locally sourced tractors, and employs over 600 staff. Deicing methods include mechanical clearance with ploughs, brushes, and blowers, while liquid deicers tackle freezing rain or black ice. The airport also combines German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts with an early-warning system fed by 18 on-site measurement stations.
Nuremberg Airport stocks 57,000 tons of deicing agents and operates four dedicated aircraft deicing vehicles. Like Munich, it follows strict international standards for deicing fluids, using Type I to IV formulations for planes and approved chemicals like sodium chloride for runways. Memmingen Airport, though smaller, also conducts daily deicing for hundreds of aircraft when freezing conditions arise.
All transport modes undergo winter checks. Trains, planes, and vehicles receive thorough inspections and deicing treatments to maintain safety. Railways use mechanical removal, heated systems, and approved chemical deicers, while airports adhere to environmental regulations when selecting runway treatments.
The coordinated effort ensures Bavaria’s transport networks stay functional despite winter disruptions. Thousands of workers, advanced forecasting, and strict deicing protocols keep trains moving and flights on schedule. Without these measures, travel delays and safety risks would rise sharply during cold snaps.
