Airbus A-380 Airport Trials Continue
The gargantuan Airbus A-380, the largest passenger airliner in the world, is continuing the lengthy, global airport trials required prior to the giant’s entry into airline service, which is expected before the end of 2007. One of the several aircraft currently flying is presently at Singapore’s Changi Airport, where a whole host of operational procedures are being assessed. These include factors of safety, passenger entry/exit formalities, right down to catering. The Airbus A-380 arrived at Changi on August 8th, and is due to leave later on today.
Its presence in Singapore, the fourth to occur since airport trials began, is highly relevant, given that the country’s national airline will be the first to accept the Airbus A-380 into service. The first commercial flight of an A-380 in Singapore Airlines colours is slated for October, in which it will transit between Singapore and Sydney. This initial voyage will be, the airline confirms, for charity, with all proceeds resulting from ticket sales being donated. The specific date for this hugely significant event remains unpublished, but is expected soon.
The Airbus A-380 first flew in 2005. With its twin decks, the giant airliner is capable of accommodating 555 passengers. Orders/commitments for the type now stand at 154, and involve 15 airlines. Singapore Airlines itself is expected to take delivery of 10, but has an option to procure six more.
In other recent Airbus A-380 news, its manufacturers recently announced in a press release that the type had received approval to be used on runways spanning a minimum of 45 metres (150 feet). The approval was given simultaneously by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and 45 metres itself is the standard width for the majority of airports the world-over.
Commenting on the significance of the two aviation bodies’ statements, the Airbus Executive Vice President of the A-380 Programme, Mario Heinen, described in the release how: “Full Airport compatibility has always been a key design driver for this new flagship of the 21 century”. He continued: “Since the very beginning of the A3XX concept phase in 1996 Airbus has established a sustainable dialogue with regulators, airports, airlines, ground handlers and pilots as well as trade-associations, with the objective to make it fully compliant with the average airport environments. We are pleased to see once more that this approach is bearing fruits.”
Elsewhere, the A-380 will begin a new demonstration tour at the end of August. In this, it will visit Airports in Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source – Airport International’s New Projects Reporter
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