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Issue 1 2008, Past issues / 4 February 2008 /
Q: Frankfurt will be one of the first airports in the world to be served regularly by the A380. What has this meant to you in terms of preparations?
We will have fifteen home-based A380s with Lufthansa and some more airlines are expected to operate the A380 into FRA, so we knew that there would be several flights per day and not just one or two. Operations are expected to increase in the early years. We knew from an early stage that we would have to start preparations. As you know, Frankfurt Airport was not initially a code F airport already, so we had to plan and prepare very early. The airport was ready in 2005 and while many other airports could not handle the A380 at that time, we were in a position to accept the aircraft. We had an ‘Upper Deck Bridge’ at this time and we were well prepared for the complete operation on the ground . In the case of regular A380 operations, we knew that Lufthansa originally planned to operate from Frankfurt in 2007. We therefore decided to prepare very early to be ready. Another aspect of our preparations involved Airbus themselves inviting us to join different working groups to help with the changes at a very early stage of the project. This was a unique point, as the aircraft deliverer was working with the airports to co-develop concepts on how to handle this aircraft. (more…)
Issue 1 2008, Past issues / 4 February 2008 /
On 9th – 10th November A380 touchdown brought together delegates from around the world to discuss the entry into service of the Airbus A380 super-jumbo.
The event was hosted by Dubai International Airport and the venue was Le Méridien Hotel. It is a five star hotel with excellent conference facilities and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff who helped with the smooth running of A380 touchdown.
The conference was sponsored by Cavotec, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative mobile power supply solutions for the airport industry and DAE Airports, the global airport development and operations division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE).
The event was opened with a keynote welcome from HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group. (more…)
Issue 6 2007, Past issues / 30 November 2007 /
In a few months’ time, Paris-Charles de Gaulle will be one of the first airports in the world to accommodate the new jumbo Airbus A380 on a daily basis. Aéroports de Paris has been gearing up for years to accommodate this type of aircraft and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport is ready for the commercial operating of this aircraft, exceptional in many ways.
In total, Aéroports de Paris invested around 100 million euros in order to accommodate new jumbo aircraft such as the A380, the B777-300ER and the A340-600. Regarding the A380, the aircraft specifications have been integrated into the development of the airport without resorting to heavy changes in the aeronautic infrastructure. Hence, since 1997, all new developments have been made in conformity with this type of aircraft, whether new runways, taxiways or boarding lounges such as “la Galerie Parisienne” which was unveiled in June 2007. In parallel, older facilities have been upgraded according to a specific standard, relating to the A380, defined at European level.
The arrival of the A380 represents a real asset for Aéroports de Paris and is part of the industrial strategy of the group. Indeed, this aircraft can carry a larger number of passengers and thus contributes to the optimisation of our airport capacities, while respecting the environmental demands. The A380 participates in reinforcing the competitiveness of the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub. (more…)
Issue 3 2007, Past issues / 7 June 2007 /
We spoke with Dr. Michael Kerkloh, CEO, Munich Airport about the ground handling operation at Munich International Airport. (more…)
Issue 2 2007, Past issues / 3 April 2007 /
Los Angeles, Calif. March 19, 2007– The world’s largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat Airbus A380, landed today in Los Angeles, California, and received a welcome worthy of the movie stars the region is most known for.
A380 MSN001, powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, was at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to carry out airport function and compatibility checks in conjunction with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and Qantas Airways. While at LAX, the crews will test airfield maneuvering, docking at a terminal gate, ground-handling services and equipment (including fueling).
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa greeted the arriving plane and its crew upon landing, and toured the world’s newest passenger aircraft with the Airbus flight crew and Airbus North America Chairman Allan McArtor.
“Los Angeles has always played a leading role in the advancement of aviation, so it is fitting that Los Angeles International Airport hosts the first U.S. visit of the next generation of aircraft,” said Villaraigosa. “Ours is a world class city and this historic occasion signifies our standing as a leading international gateway.” (more…)
Issue 1 2006, Past issues / 17 March 2006 /
In preparation for the increasing introduction of heavy aircraft and new types of landing gear (e.g. B777 and A380), AIRBUS, STBA and LCPC undertook an ambitious research programme to define a more efficient pavement design method. (more…)
Issue 4 2005, Past issues / 25 November 2005 /
Heathrow will welcome the A380 into service next year, and in this article its had of projects discusses the modifications carried out to make this possible.
Heathrow airport is the world’s busiest international airport with 67 million passengers travelling through its four terminals every year and approximately 90 airlines currently flying in and out. BAA is to spend more than £3 billion in upgrading the airport over the next ten years (excluding Terminal 5 spend) and it has invested £450 million to re-develop the airport’s Terminal 3, to prepare it for the arrival of the new Airbus A380 aircraft.
A new era of air travel will begin when the A380 flights commence. The new aircraft will be able to carry a lot more passengers on each flight and as a result airport teams have had to plan in advance to ensure that they have the necessary facilities and services to handle the larger number of passengers who will be travelling through their terminals. (more…)
Issue 4 2005, Past issues / 25 November 2005 /
Airbus’ collaborative approach is helping introduce into service the world’s largest commercial airliner.
Half a year after the Airbus A380 first flight, on April 27th, and with 159 firm orders from 16 customers booked, the preparation for entry into service at the end of 2006 continues at a rapid pace. A380 customers expect to receive a reliable, mature aircraft with the capability to fit seamlessly into their existing ground operations environment, from day one. Key components in validating this design goal are the Airport Check exercises. To date, the first two development aircraft have carried out six of these voluntary checks. The value of the checks is well recognised from feedback on similar exercises performed with other large Airbus aircraft, such as the A340-600.
The first airport check exercise was completed successfully on the 29th October at Frankfurt, one of over 60 airports that the A380-800 will serve by 2010. Several ramp scenarios were simulated, based around the standard layout with upper deck catering. Other equipment, not normally part of the normal turn around process were also tested as well as multiple pieces from different manufacturers. In total around 40 different pieces of GSE were used. This compares to around 21 for a standard turn around. (more…)
Issue 2 2005, Past issues / 10 June 2005 /
Although in the past airlines have been more involved in the design an active dialogue with ground handlers and suppliers has ensured an easier entry into services, writes Dr. Thilo Stilp.
To the 15 customers that have already decided to add the A380-800 or its freighter version, the A380-800F, to their existing fleets and the 60-plus international airports that are going to welcome the A380 by 2010, the first flight of the A380 sets the date at which their preparation for the commercial entry into service of this aircraft enters the active phase.
Airlines are traditionally more closely involved in the design of a new airliner compared to airports and the ground handling community, who are usually confronted with the outcome of the airliner’s dialogue at a later stage of the process. The airport’s and ground handling community’s role of ensuring the highest level of operational reliability right from day one often goes forgotten. Not so with the A380. It was recognised from an early stage that input into the design from the airports and ground handlers, as well as the airlines, would be essential to ensure a seamless entry into service. (more…)
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