Business Case
Assessing the European market for aircraft de-icing systems
For a company specialising in ice protection, SURFEO assessed the European light aviation, professional drone and eVTOL segments to prepare its positioning.
Icing remains a safety, performance and certification issue
Atmospheric icing can affect aircraft performance, engine reliability and operational safety. EASA distinguishes in particular between supercooled droplets, ice crystals and mixed-phase conditions, while pointing to persistent limitations in forecasting the severity of the phenomenon [1].
A company specialising in ice protection systems wanted to assess the appetite of the European aeronautics market for a technology intended for general aviation, drones, electric aircraft and eVTOLs.
SURFEO was commissioned to analyse the target segments, players and programmes, regulatory requirements, competition and the selection criteria for on-board systems.
Decision at stake
Determine where the technology could meet a genuine need, under which integration constraints and with which potential partners.
Scope
Europe · light aviation · professional drones · eVTOL.
A study focused on the adoption of an on-board system
Segment the platforms
Compare light aviation, professional drones and eVTOLs according to their ice protection needs.
Map the ecosystem
Identify manufacturers, equipment suppliers, operators and current or upcoming European programmes.
Analyse certification
Examine the regulatory requirements applicable to the integration of de-icing systems.
Test the positioning
Compare the technology against buyers’ selection criteria and competing offers.
Qualifying the market depends on certification and operational use
Recent regulatory and scientific milestones
EASA publishes Amendment 28 of the CS-25 specifications for large aeroplanes [2].
EASA revises its bulletin on post de-icing and anti-icing checks on the ground [3].
The EN-ICCA report summarises the state of knowledge on atmospheric icing [1].
A multifaceted challenge
Supercooled droplets, ice crystals and mixed-phase regimes do not involve the same detection and protection conditions [1].
Certification shapes market access
Design and operating requirements must be examined according to the platform category and its operating envelope [2][4].
Operational control remains central
EASA stresses the need for appropriate procedures and checks after de-icing or anti-icing on the ground [3].
A clarified European positioning
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[1] EASA, “EN-ICCA — Report on the state of science and knowledge on atmospheric icing in a climate change context”, 18 August 2026. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/general-publications/en-icca-report-state-science-and-knowledge-atmospheric-icing-climate-change-context
[2] EASA, “CS-25 Amendment 28”, 19 December 2023. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/certification-specifications/group/cs-25-large-aeroplanes
[3] EASA, “Post De-Icing/Anti-Icing Checks”, SIB 2018-12R1, 4 April 2025. https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2018-12R1
[4] EASA, “Special Condition for VTOL and Means of Compliance”, updated on 18 July 2025. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/product-certification-consultations/special-condition-vtol
[5] SURFEO internal project sheet, source for the assignment facts, dates, scope and outcomes.