EI-EDY with tyre warmers !
Although aircraft tyres are inflated with nitrogen to help stabilise the pressure and prevent fires, cold weather still has an effect on the tyres performance. Cold weather causes a drop in pressure as the gas contracts due to the lower temperature. Aircraft tyre manufacturers will atest to the fact a 5% underinflated tyre will cause a 50% increase in the rate of tyre wear. Aer Lingus would appear to have taken the subject of cold weather management to its next step with the introduction of tyre warmers as seen in Michael Kelly's picture of Airbus A330 EI-EDY, photographed in Dublin on Saturday January 30.
Edit : Feb 3. Thanks to Jon for pointing out that these are in fact tyre covers to keep de-icing fluid off the brakes !