Changi Airport getting ready for A380

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is spending $45
million to prepare Changi Airport to welcome a new guest: the Airbus
380 superjumbo jet.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be the first carrier in the world to fly
the 555-seater double-decker aircraft in 2006. The biggest airplane
today is the 420-seater Boeing 747.
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So far, Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, has received more than 120
orders for the new aircraft. SIA will buy 10 and is considering 15
more.

But before the A380 can land at Changi, the airport needs to be
modified to cater to the aircraft - 2m longer than the 70.7m-long 747,
with the tail about 5m higher - and the larger number of travellers it
will carry.

For example, intersections between runways and taxiways need to be
wider so the plane can turn safely on ground.

Also, 11 of the areas where passengers wait to board will be made 5 to
10 per cent bigger. Six baggage belts will also be extended, and the
airport will have 11 aerobridges to connect the A380s to the terminal.

Work has already started on the modifications, due to be completed by
the end of 2005.

CAAS engineering director Fong Kok Wai, said the A380's arrival
presents a challenge to the airport authorities.

'It's a test of their nimbleness in responding to an airline's needs
within a given time frame, as well as to the constraints of existing
infrastructure and an operational airport environment.'

Because of the increased number of passengers the new plane can carry,
more check-in and immigration counters may need to be manned, so
passengers can check in quickly.

For quick clearance and to prevent bottlenecks, travellers are also
encouraged to check-in by fax, phone or the Internet, and to use
automated immigration clearance channels.

By the time other airlines also start flying the superjumbo in 2006,
more than 20 airports should be equipped to handle the bigger jet.

But not all carriers are planning to pack their plane with the maximum
555 passengers.

SIA, for example, is looking into using the extra space in the
aircraft to provide passengers with more facilities, like a children's
play room that its frequent fliers suggested in a poll last year.

SIA expects to have a preliminary design plan for its A380s next year.

"taqai" wrote in message
om...
But not all carriers are planning to pack their plane with the maximum
555 passengers.

SIA, for example, is looking into using the extra space in the
aircraft to provide passengers with more facilities, like a children's
play room that its frequent fliers suggested in a poll last year.

Which I bet will last about as long as the first class lounges did on 747s.

--
"You know, unexamined, unintelligent patriotism, you know, my country, right
or wrong, love it or leave it, gets us nowhere and results in bad country
and western songs."
--Janeane Garofalo

BAA announced this morning that it has an $800 million 10 year Heathrow
improvement plan which includes upgrades to handle the A380 wich will be
featured at LHR quite a bit. It will be interesting to see which terminals
they will be upgrading for the 380.

Virgin will have the beast, as will Qantas.

I suspect that in the next 12 months, you'll hear a lot of similar projects
that mention the 380. But they are regular airport maintenance/upgrade
projects that will happen to include the modifications to handle the 380.

AJC wrote:
Virgin will have the beast, as will Qantas.


And SQ and EK and MH

But will SQ, EK and MH use the 380 on flights to LHR ?

Changi will handle SG's 380s sicne they will be based there. SIN will also
handle Qantas' 380s on the kangaroo route to London. But have any other
airlines announced firm plans to fly their 380s to Singapore ?

What about London LHR ? Virgin is based there, so its 380s will be seen there,
and Qantas has its Kangaroo route to London. But who else will fly 380s to
London ?

"AJC" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 05:37:39 -0500, nobody wrote:

I reckon the best places to go 380 spotting initially will be LHR,
SIN, SYD.



And the home of Emirates where most of the beasts - at least as the order
book stands now - are going to have their home.

Nik

"AJC" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 22:13:58 +0800, "Nik"
wrote:


"AJC" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 05:37:39 -0500, nobody wrote:

I reckon the best places to go 380 spotting initially will be LHR,
SIN, SYD.



And the home of Emirates where most of the beasts - at least as the order
book stands now - are going to have their home.

Nik


I was thinking more for variety of liveries. DXB will be exclusively
EK 380s but the airports I mentioned will have 3 or more carriers
flying them in.
--==++AJC++==--

Then you are no doubt correct!

Nik

Quoting (taqai) regarding Changi Airport getting ready for
A380 in a message dated 25 Nov 2003 17:37:43 -0800:

But before the A380 can land at Changi, the airport needs to be
modified to cater to the aircraft - 2m longer than the 70.7m-long 747,
with the tail about 5m higher - and the larger number of travellers it
will carry.
[SNIP]
Because of the increased number of passengers the new plane can carry,
more check-in and immigration counters may need to be manned, so
passengers can check in quickly.


Any word from airport officials as to whether they will improve the facilities
by installing "secured gate" facilities so that searching need not be done
during the boarding process?


__________________________________

Regards,
Arnold.

(E-mail address altered, to prevent spamming. :-|
Remove all asterisks and the *hates*spam* to get true address.)