Couldn’t agree more about the daily chaos outside the departure lounge. Taxiway Delta has been designed to link up to the main apron as the taxiway goes up hill after is passes the east apron as the main apron sits on higher ground than the new east apron. The taxiway can’t be connected to the main apron until new stands are built just north of the east apron because by connecting Delta to the main apron will result in the closure of stands 9 and 9L and due to insufficient clearance.
The piers and north apron was meant to be built as part of the original project but pressure from easyjet to cut costs meant that this work was postponed to a later date. easyJet have made it clear that they do not want any airbridges built on the main apron as they want passenger to board from the front and rear doors to speed up turnarounds So for all you easyjet pilots some of the blame can be put at the door of your management.
[This message has been edited by LTN man (edited 09 April 2001).]