Pittsburgh Airport Expecting No Problems From De-icing Fluid Shortage

Dec. 6--A shortage of runway de-icing fluid could hamper operations at airports in cold-weather climates this winter, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

But a Pittsburgh International Airport spokeswoman said the shortage shouldn't affect flights here because the airport bought its winter de-icing supplies in May, before a miners strike in Canada halted production of the potassium acetate-based de-icing fluid for several months.

"But we're using it conservatively," spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said.

The miners strike ended earlier this month, but de-icing fluid manufacturers went three months without getting any new potassium acetate, a necessary raw material in the production of the fluid.

As a result, the FAA said, major North American manufacturers could run out of supplies by January or February if this winter is as harsh as last year's. One leading manufacturer said it will be able to make only 2 million gallons of new de-icing fluid this winter, down from 9 million gallons a year ago, the FAA said.

The limited supply could, in turn, drive up airports' costs for de-icing fluid.

In an October memo, the FAA instructed airline industry trade groups and airports across the country to "notify airport tenants, users and air-traffic controllers of the shortage and the possible impacts to flight operations during this winter season."

The memo also instructed airports to develop contingency plans in case they run out of de-icing fluid, including using alternative chemicals or materials to deal with ice and snow on their runways.

A FAA official said Friday that he didn't expect widespread delays across the country as a result of the shortage.

"Airports that aren't in the snow belt won't be affected, and for airports that prepared for the winter season well in advance, the impact should be minimal. And obviously, a lot depends on the winter weather," said Michael O'Donnell, the FAA's director of airport safety and standards.

Jenny said the Allegheny County Airport Authority spent $750,000 on runway de-icing fluid for this winter in May, before the miners strike began.

Pittsburgh International typically buys its supplies for the upcoming winter season after the previous one ends because prices are better, and "you want to kind of top off your tanks ... so there's no condensation in the tanks that could have an impact on the effectiveness of the stuff."

Should the airport run out of de-icing fluid, Jenny said it would buy alternative materials to treat its runways.

Tom Fontaine can be reached online at [email protected].