Airport prepares to handle ultra-large airliner as $11 billion upgrade gets go-ahead
Long-term prospects for the Airbus A380 at Los Angeles International airport (LAX) have received a major boost following the landmark approval of the airport's $11 billion expansion plan after much delay.
The airport, which handles over 100 Boeing 747 movements a day, had been dragging its heels on committing to expansion and modifications to handle the 550-seater - much to the frustration of Airbus and early A380 customers. The airport says it is due to begin handling its first regular A380 services in November 2006 - up to two daily flights operated by Qantas. Other carriers will follow in early 2007 with, according to Airbus, Air France, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic the early customers planning to serve the airport.
"The signing-off by Los Angeles city council of the LAX master plan in December was a move forward," says A380 director of infrastructure and environment Willy Pierre Dupont. "The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to approve the plan on 4 February and construction could start in the spring."
The airport's master plan covers a series of long-term development and expansion proposals - such as relocating the southern runways - which the FAA is expected to approve on a case-by-case basis after weighing issues such as the environmental impact.
"We will have two A380 contact gates at the Tom Bradley international terminal ready in 2006/07," says Rick Wells, chief of project planning and development, at LAX operator Los Angeles World Airports. This move is unrelated to the implementation of the master plan. "Four other gates at our current west boarding structures would be made ready to handle the A380 in 2006/07 as well," he adds.
Dupont is confident the airport can handle "five to six A380 flights a day" initially. He says by 2010-2011, LAX could have a remote parking area capable of handling four A380s, possibly with its own bespoke "mini-terminal" building.
"We have made a proposal to LAX that, with the relocation of two taxiways, more A380 stands could be installed on the southern side," says Dupont. In the longer term, "six to eight" more stands on the west side of the Tom Bradley terminal are possible, he adds.
Wells says there are currently no plans for additional A380 gates in the 2010/11 timeframe, or to undertake a taxiway relocation plan as submitted by Airbus. "Projects such as these are just starting to be evaluated as part of the advanced planning process for the implementation of the master plan," he says.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
