Here's how crews at DIA de-ice planes during winter weather

DENVER – Have you ever wondered what it takes to get planes off the ground during a snowstorm?

According to staff at Denver International Airport, it takes about 250 pieces of equipment to make sure the tarmac, runways and aircraft are ready for takeoff.

Crews use snow plows and brushes to remove snow from the ground, then each plane gets sprayed with chemicals to remove ice and snow.

First, the planes get a shower of hot chemical to remove any built-up ice. Then, a second coat prevents ice from re-developing.

After about 15 minutes, a de-iced plane can head to the runway for takeoff.

Denver7’s Jason Gruenauer talked to airport staff who were working in frigid, snowy conditions to prepare planes for takeoff Thursday morning:

Staff said winter weather led to the cancelation of about 10 percent of Thursday’s flights at DIA.

Be sure to check your flight status before heading to the airport. You can check flights online here.