A380 to AMS
 

Sorry if there is already a post, I'm not yet quit familiar with FT!

Via SchipholTv: the Airbus A380 is due to land in AMS on July 15th, it isn't commercial but route-prooving. No airline seems interested in A380 service to AMS, and KLM didn't seem interested to buy as far as I know. AMS has no
A380 specified facilities and the only runway suitable for landing and take-off is 18R. But it cannot go to the apron via the viaduct across the highway. (Antonov got stuck earlier). Any thoughts that KLM/AirFrance might buy A380. Maybe AF is deploying A380 to AMS as it is doing to LHR but it seems quite onrealistichttp://www.schiphol.nl/InDeSamenlevi...-naar-schiphol

Malaysian could well use one to AMS if they ever get them delivered. Also, if Emirates have the success in AMS that they seem to have elsewhere then they could upgrade their 777 to a 380 also. This is especially likely if the Euro governments are going to get all protectionist on us...may be the only way they can increase passenger numbers.

I have always asked myself what Emirates want's to do with so much A380's.
They ordered 90. JFK, the flagship route was already canceled a few monts later (but is now back). I have ret numerous reports of people saying the loadfactor is only 40%. Maybe they will deploy A380 on all possible airports but AMS has to improve facilities.

I find the thought of boarding 500+ pax through one of Schiphol's F-Gates truly scary! :eek: (Based on my recent AMS-USA experiences with B777s and A330s.)

-- Henry

I would presume Schiphol's gates would still need to me changed to accommodate the A380 (and put in a third jetbridge)?

Gajan

I suspect they might have been less scary if the gate agents could have been bothered to properly follow boarding procedures?

Johan

Up to a point but, let's face it, the post-security coralling pens are just too small. And the 'special areas' assigned for biz-class and elite pax are a complete joke.

-- Henry

They could easily have located those directly adjacent to the jetway doors, with a separate gate to facilitate priorty boarding. Currently the only purpose they serve is as gawking pens where the undeserving elites volutarily expose themselves to scrutiny by lesser cattle class mortals.

Johan

Has anyone tried those new "premium" waiting areas post-security designed in conjunction with Philips and Cathy Pacific? They had modified one gate as a trial, that would extended to all non-Schengen gates should the trial be successful and meet with the approval of passengers. While no Qantas first class lounge or Concorde Room, they certainly look refreshed. Imagine they also took larger aircraft into account (if they were clever enough).

What I do not understand is why they even are having the A380 come to Schiphol if it apparently can't even cross the motorway? Obviously a fairly simple (albeit expensive) fix, but if all it can do is land and take-off again... what's the point?

That's G7. I intend to wander over and have a look as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

Johan