My company has to obtain supplies in Beijing and ship it to LHR in a freighter to hold as a dedicated source for our aircraft as none available locally. Imagine the cost. Each ton or fluid takes 500kg or fuel to carry it from there.
Do they ship a de icing rig and trained operators too?
Other UK stations have also had de-icing fluid shortages. Mainly because supplies previously ordered were diverted to LHR without so much as a by-your-leave!!!
