Munich in Germany became the first European airport to receive official authorisation for A380 operations when it received approval from the Bavarian government in early April. The airside is capable of handling aircraft larger than A380 and its new Terminal 2 building offers two larger pier parking positions for A380 aircraft while its runway and taxiway facilities are already compatible.
In the UK, London’s Heathrow airport recently announced the start of a redevelopment project worth €163 million that will enable the airport to accommodate the A380 from the beginning of 2006 and even larger aircraft later on. One runway has already been widened and work on another is under way, while taxiways are also being upgraded. The redevelopment of Heathrow’s Terminal 3 will create four aircraft stands with double jetties capable of servicing both passenger decks of the aircraft.
Singapore’s Changi airport authorities announced a €22 million upgrade recently that includes minor airside adaptations, gate-room widening and baggage belt extensions, to be completed by the end of 2005. Some 11 gates at Changi’s Terminals 1 and 2 will accommodate the A380, with another eight compatible gates becoming available when Terminal 3 is delivered in 2008.
In the USA, New York’s JFK airport authorities have also recently announced improvements to runways, taxiways and related infrastructure that will allow it to accommodate the A380. Eight A380 contact stands at Terminals 1 and 4 will be available in 2006
Frankfurt Airport has declared its intention to build a new runway and an additional passenger terminal with associated facilities at the south of the airport to cope with traffic growth. Preparation for A380 is under way with plans for dedicated A380 stands at Terminal 1 and a new maintenance base for the A380, to be ready by 2007. Terminal 2 already has five stands available.
841 εκατομμύρια $$$ θα κοστίσουν οι τροποποιήσεις στο LHR ("widening taxiways, installing double-decker loading ramps and upgrading immigration and baggage facilities")
