Grand opening of Europe's first infrared de-icing hangar

SAS Ground Services Norway AS (SGS Norway) will today open Europe's first infrared de-icing hangar at Oslo Airport. The Minister of Transport and Communications, Liv Signe Navarsete, will carry out the opening. SGS in co-operation with Radiant and Oslo Airport AS will perform a trial of an exciting new method of de-icing, using infrared heat waves. SGS Norway is the first ground service operator and Oslo Airport the first airport in Europe, to use this method. Planes de-iced this way are driven through a specially built hangar where heat waves melt the snow and ice. With the use of infrared de-icing 70 percent less of the chemical glycol is needed. "We want to be able to offer airlines a more effective, economic and environmentally friendly service in the future," says president of SGS Norway Ola H. Strand. The de-icing hangar will be tested and work as a supplement to ordinary de-icing for the rest of the winter season. "Oslo Airport as a modern airport is adapting itself to our customer's innovative thinking. We are happy that this new method reduces chemical run-off, and is therefore a valuable contribution to our taking care of the environment at the airport," says president of Oslo Airport AS Nic Nilsen. "After successful use in the US, we are looking forward to introducing infrared de-icing to Europe. We are happy that SGS Norway and Oslo Airport are positive towards testing the method," says president of Radiant Europe Svein Utkilen.