Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft de-icing system comprising an aircraft-washing hardstanding (1) onto which an aircraft can be moved, and pipes and nozzles, (3) for spraying de-icing fluid onto the aircraft, and discharge and drainage pipes combined with a sloped impervious layer (11) for collecting and carrying away the fluid.In order to enable the fluid to be removed from the hardstanding quickly and reliably, the hardstanding is constructed so as to comprise a substantially planar surface layer (12) of so-called drainage asphalt, and an impervious layer (11) which is located beneath the planar surface layer and which slopes steeply down towards drainage pipes (15), so as to collect and carry away the de-icing fluid passing down through the surface layer (12). The system also preferably includes a pump (7) arranged to draw air down through the surface layer so as to entrain therewith any water vapor formed and thus prevent the formation of vapor clouds liable to rise from the hardstanding (1).