Why do runway snow and ice control operations start before weather conditions?

• A. To minimize costs
• B. To ensure safe takeoff and landing operations
• C. To reduce staffing
• D. To reduce de-icing procedures

Answer: (B)

Starting runway snow and ice control before or at the onset of precipitation is about preserving friction to keep takeoffs and landings safe. Ice and wet snow reduce braking action and aircraft handling on the pavement; if you wait until conditions worsen, de-icing and removal become harder, slower, and more likely to cause runway closures or unsafe arrivals and departures. By initiating control measures early—pre-treating surfaces with anti-ice agents, deploying plows and sweepers, and staging crews—you prevent ice from bonding to the pavement, maintain a usable surface, and support predictable, safer operations. While costs or staffing considerations matter, the primary purpose is to ensure safe takeoff and landing performances by sustaining adequate braking action and pavement condition.