Press Release

Issued by Mountfitchet Risk Solutions.

January 31, 2017

According to a recent industry report, the aircraft de-icing market is set to be worth an estimated $1.3billion by 2020. Aviation insurance specialists, Mountfitchet Risk Solutions, in partnership with global reinsurance intermediary Aon Benfield, have launched a new policy, De-Ice Protect, designed to remove the expense of de-icing from the charter customer.

The aviation authorities promote a very clear policy on de-icing: no aircraft may take off with any frozen contamination. An aircraft can take off only after it is completely free of frost, ice, snow and slush, and adequately protected against the formation of new ice, this is the process known as de-icing. Failure to do so can lead to loss of control or inability to get airborne, and in worst cases, can cause fatal crashes.

While it is an unavoidable legal safety requirement, de-icing can be extremely costly and it is the charter customer who is liable. As the nature of de-icing is unpredictable, costs vary hugely on a case by case basis, due to factors such as the amount of fluid required, and the size and location of the aircraft. This can have a damaging impact on customer relationships. However, De-Ice Protect addresses these issues and indemnifies against the full costs incurred by de-icing, protecting against financial losses and client reputation.

Available for both operators and brokers, the policy is being underwritten by Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, a division of leading global reinsurer Swiss Re.

Oliver Clarry-Risk, managing director of Mountfitchet Risk Solutions, says: “De-icing is unpredictable and it is often contentious when a customer is left with an unexpected bill post-flight, this can cause serious disputes. We have worked tirelessly to build a product which alleviates these worries. Our goal is to constantly provide niche products to aid the operational efficiency of the business aviation industry and this second product of ours is the next step in doing so.”

De-Ice Protect is the follow up policy to AOG Protect, which indemnifies against the cost of providing a replacement aircraft in the event of an AOG incident, catering for even the most complex of charter fleets.