Originally Posted by
transwede
stand 9 is being fitted with an airbridge........ but surely if regular 747 ops were to start, portable stairs would make more sense, speeds up boarding of 400+ pax.
Absolutely & totally DISAGREE ! I do not see this at all, there is no logic to what you say. 747 Ops at most international airports are catered for with one or a matched pair type airbridge where basically one is used exclusively for First & business & other for everyone else. The volume catered for by the first/business is incidental in terms of volume & access & so invariably boarding is effectively by one airbridge. Slow access issues are exacerbated by mobs climbing up staircases trying to access a single isle from opposing directions & vice versa on descending such on diembarkation. Neither of these problems are encountered with a 747 & an appropriate airbridge.
Also you have not even dealt with the additional security issues of pax on tarmac.