SINGAPORE : Changi Airport is getting ready to welcome the
super-sized Airbus A380. It is investing S$45 million to
accommodate the much larger plane and the increase in passenger
load.
Works started early this year and should be completed in time to
welcome the plane when it takes to the skies in 2006.
The A380 is a super-sized plane with two decks that can accommodate
up to 550 passengers or about 30 percent more than a 747.
By the second quarter of 2006, Singapore Airlines will be the first
airline worldwide to use it.
As part of preparations, while its runways are fine, Changi has to
widen the runway shoulders.
Once the A380 lands, taxiway junctions will also have to be widened
for it to turn easily.
Parking bays will also have to be adjusted so that there is a safe
distance between planes.
But if you are one of its 550 passengers, boarding and disembarking
from such a large plane can be tricky.
Changi is considering various aerobridge options, including
aerobidges to both main and upper decks, and even increasing this
to three aerobridges.
Depending on the options, getting on and off a A380 can take
between 11 and 24 minutes.
Other changes include expanding passenger holding areas, and
lengthening luggage conveyor belts from the current 70 metres to
about 90 metres.
These plans were revealed by airport planners at an international
aviation safety conference organised by ALPA-S. - CNA