On the Radar:
Behind the Summer Scenes

Gabriel Lépine, EVP - Operations and Development

On the radar September 27, 2024
When I was asked to write a letter to mark the new season in the middle of July, I could already imagine the reactions of our partners and aviation enthusiasts: “Why is Aeromag talking about winter in the middle of summer?” Fast forward to September, and here we are, ready to talk about the next deicing season.

Every summer, as we meet with our partners, suppliers, or simply anyone outside the world of deicing operations, we’re often asked the same question: “You guys must be bored during the summer, right?” It’s a fair assumption given that winter deicing seems far off during the warm summer months. But the truth is quite the opposite. While most people associate us with busy winter months, our work begins well before the first snowflake falls. Behind the scenes, the teams at the various stations and the head office are hard at work throughout the summer. From refining operational strategies and maintaining equipment to collaborating with suppliers and ensuring we’re fully stocked; the summer is a critical period of preparation. In fact, summer is one of the busiest times of the year for us as we gear up for the challenges that winter will inevitably bring. Even though it may seem strange to talk about winter in September, rest assured that by the time the cold months arrive, we will be more than ready, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teams, which begins well before the frost appears.

We dedicate countless hours each summer to annual maintenance, often totalling at least 40 hours of labour per vehicle, meticulously washing trucks, updating manuals, and driving innovation. Innovation, being at the heart of our mission, is critical for us to improve year after year. The summer months allow us to carry out this crucial work, as winter demands our full attention for day-to-day operations, with each team member focused on one priority: ensuring the safety of our crews and, most importantly, the passengers.

From the window seat, deicing might seem like a simple task—just spraying a warm fluid on the wing, often causing a slight delay before takeoff. But for us, it’s a process built on thousands of intricate details. Every summer, we’re excited to fine-tune these details and prepare for the upcoming season, when we’ll need to perform at our best, consistently, and as a team. With that in mind, I wish you a wonderful fall and a safe winter ahead.