Typical cost for type I fluid in the uk is on average 75p per litre. Multiply by 500 litres for my aircraft the other day and thats £375. now multiply by 58 aircraft and thats £21750> Now say every aircraft flies 6 sectors a day (gotta keep those fares down somehow) and thats a daily bill of £130500. Of course not every airframe requires de-icing every turnround but gives you an idea. TypeII and IV fluids cost more. What really gets me is that wings and the fuselage can be cleared by manual means, as long as care is taken around antenna and probes etc. however, some 'elf and safety and de-ice suppliers proceedures, do not allow for this. Thus a snow covered aircraft could be in the order of 2000 Ltrs for a small short haul type, just to clear the snow off! Thats £1500 just to clear it! Then if it needs anti-icing...... you get the idea.
