Originally Posted by
flyerCO
However the plane must carry enough fuel to divert from scheduled airport, plus an extra hour on top of that. I don't think CHC can.handle A380 so it's diversion airport is at least a couple hours away.
Originally Posted by skywardhunter
For diversion most important factor is runway and adjacent taxiways and availability of Jet Fuel. Whether ground handling is set up for the aircraft is irrelevant, though of course EK may choose a more convenient diversion point as a result.
Why yes, CHC *is* able to handle A380s, as of 2 years ago
http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz...rates-service/
He says Christchurch Airport is New Zealand's alternate arrival point for the Emirates A380 aircraft, as demonstrated a year ago when two landed here.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/new...-lands-in-Chch
Two Emirates A380s and a Boeing 777 landed this afternoon at Christchurch Airport after being diverted from Auckland when a Qantas plane broke down and partially blocked the runway.
In fact the "Great Circle" distance between Dubai and Christchurch is slightly shorter than Auckland, at 14050km
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=DXB-CHC&MS=wls&DU=km