"I don't think A380 is realistic for NW. When aircrafts are leaving 1/2 full on the current widebodies, filling A380 would be a challenge. Remember guys, there are still some usable 747's. "

Which routes are these? Looking at the load factors for Atlantic and Pacific, seems they've been holding in the 80% - 85% range (except for SARS last spring). Considering normal day-of-the-week fluctuations, in a practical sense you don't see load factors get much higher than that. They have to be sending a lot of full planes out to get those numbers.

It appears that parallel runways/taxiways would have to be widened ( up to 50' wider) to make sure that wings did not clip the other widebodied a/c at the airports that will be certified to accept the A380's.

Since most major airports have n/s and e/w runways to compensate for prevailing winds this widening project would require at least (1) taxiway and (1) runway for n/s and another pair of widened runways for the e/w.

How can anyone seriously believe there will not be any airport runway/taxiway/jetbridge widening/re-ramping projects required prior to the A380 going into service?

Also the A380-900 will stick out another 29' further than the 747-400 which may also require additional space.


RC


[This message has been edited by Radiocycle (edited Jan 11, 2004).]