A380 Sched ops into NZAA from 1FEB08

[zulu_kilo]

The world's biggest commercial airliner will begin services to Auckland from February next year.

Emirates will use the superjumbo Airbus A380 on its trans-Tasman route to link up with the rest of network from February 1.

The aircraft will have 489 seats; 14 in first class, 76 in business and 399 in economy.

A spokesman said fares had yet to be set.

Auckland International Airport has widened its runway and from later this year will have a new pier with airbridges capable of handling passengers from the plane.

Emirates is the largest customer for the A380s - with 58 on order - and it will take delivery of five of the double-decker aircraft this year.

Other configurations in the A380 fleet will feature a medium-range three-class 517-seater; and a medium-range two-class aircraft with 604 seats.

Emirates is scheduled to operate its A380s non-stop from Dubai to New York on October 1, London Heathrow on December 1.

The airline's president, Tim Clark, said: "Our A380s will take to the skies in late (northern) summer, signalling an end to our long wait and ushering in a new era for Emirates. We have played an integral role during the design and development stage to tow the aircraft from the drawing board to the production line, and we look forward to bringing them into commercial service."

Singapore Airlines became the first airline to operate the aircraft commercially last year.

Clark said the of the first Emirates A380 would prove to be a major milestone for the airline as it takes the first step in the gradual build-up towards becoming the worlds largest operator of the super-jumbo.

The A380 is a fully double-deck aircraft with a wingspan and length greater than that of the largest passenger aircraft currently in service, the Boeing 747-400.

The A380, made by the European consortium Airbus, first flew in 2005 but getting it into commercial production was plagued by wiring problems and other hitches.

Its size has allowed for new luxury in first class, including double beds in Singapore Airlines' aircraft, prompting a "no sex" request.

[TROJAN764]

I assume you mean Feb 2009:O

[Buster Hyman]

Are they sure the North Island wont sink?:confused:

[zulu_kilo]

...... ummm yes! 2009 :zzz: <Correction made!>

[ampan]

Yet there are no sleepers in economy?

Isn't the sleeper issue going to be the big issue in long-haul operations over the next decade? Virtually every pilot I know has, when stuck in economy with the family somewhere over the Pacific, come up with his own three-tiered bunk design.

[slamer.]

Great...... more un-checked capacity dumping on the Tasman........:ugh:

[Taildragger67]

Ampan,

Two things:

1. Not only pilots, mate. Virtually every traveller.

2. Since when did pilots travel in economy? :}

[Top of Descent]

Maybe Airbus could look at this Mod, to fit more Kiwis in,wanting to cross the 'ditch' :} .

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/tonyzimex/A390-1.jpg

[27/09]

I wonder where their alternate for NZAA is?

[Buster Hyman]

LAX????:confused::confused:

[roamingwolf]

The world's biggest commercial airliner will begin services to Auckland from February next year.

These guys in the Middle East will do anything to get around the live sheep transport embargo.:oh:

Since when did pilots travel in economy?
When they have to pay for their own tickets.:E

I wonder where their alternate for NZAA is?
well,it won't be WLG or is CHC big enough?.

[slamer.]

Hmmm... hence the rush to establish CAT III at NZAA by the end of this year.... wonder what (if any) the x-wind limit is on the 380..?

Their current arrival times may save their bacon.... (am I allowed to say that..:E ) from most of the adverse wx, but still only one strip once you get there.

Buster, LOL... may be closer to the truth than we think.

[NZScion]

I wonder where their alternate for NZAA is?

NZCH?


CAT I ILS
>3000m runway
Can already handle B747/C5 A/C
Customs & Immigration
Already an EK destination (ie ground crew available)
Getting the pax off through one door could be an issue, but as an alternate that probably wouldn't be off too much concern for the airline.

[Going Boeing]

wonder what (if any) the x-wind limit is on the 380..?

The intention was to get it certified for 45 knots X-wind limit but I don't know if that is the actual certified limit.

The aircraft can take-off at max weight (570t) on a runway that is the length of Queenstown (been done many times in the QF sim) so I don't think that there would be any problems in nominating Christchurch as an alternate.

[zkjaws]

Just the small issue of side clearances from the taxiways.

The aircraft may well be able to land and takeoff at NZCH, but as yet I don't think the work has been done to ensure it doesn't hit things like windsocks, etc while trying to get to the gate.

I may be wrong, but the last I heard CIAL weren't prepared to spend the money to become an alternate airfield.

[nike]

just use an island reserve

[B A Lert]

If there are still large fuel cost variations between Australia and NZ, Emirates would no doubt carry round-trip fuel. In this case, it wouldn't be difficult to carry YMML, YBBN or YSSY!

[Chocks Away]

The Airbase south of Auckland may be better able to handle it as an alternate?

AKL are in the process of getting CAT II, onto an ungrooved slippery concrete runway... with it's own special procedures (not fully ICAO)...

How good are the French at designing a "short-fielder" for Wellington :}

Increased capacity? Gotta replace all the Kiwi locals deserting in their droves, for lower taxes and better dollars across the "detch" :p

[altonacrude]

For more than 40 years CHC has been a main staging post for USAF flights to Antarctic bases and managed to take any aircraft that the USAF flung at it. As NZScion noted, this includes the C5, whose wingspan is slightly less than A380 (75.4m vs 79.8]. That would need addressing but it isn't exactly a huge job, especially given the lack of general clutter round the runway and taxiways.

Wellington is a definite no-no. In 1991, as I recall, a UA B747 landed there after Auckland airport was closed by atmospheric ash from a volcanic eruption and Christchurch, the alternate, was closed due to fog. The aircraft stayed on the runway. There were no injuries and no damage. However it was several months before Boeing-instructed technicians had gutted most of the inside of the aircraft to lighten it, and it was able to take off into a brisk southerly headwind with just enough fuel to reach Auckland.

[blzbub]

Thought the UA 747 diverted into Ohakea, taking out most of the runway lights. But I could be wrong. My wife informs me this happens quite often. :hmm:

[NZScion]

Nope, the UA 747 went to WN.

As Altonacrude and I mentioned earlier, based on the current capablity to handle C5 A/C, it would be a non-event to make the aerodrome A380 compatable. The issue would be parking (deep freeze apron or perhaps outside Air NZ no. 1 Hangar?) and offloading the pax to a suitable holding area. Getting them through Customs would be a bit congested, but nothing extreme.

Other less likely options, due to inadequate passenger facilities are NZOH (2447m/Cat I ILS/DME), and even NZDN (1900m/Cat I ILS [soon to have paired DME]). NZQN is a less realistic option, due to the terrain and lack of precision approaches.

So, no issues with alternates in NZ. Why carry round trip fuel to get back to the West Island if you don't need to?

[Going Boeing]

Wellington's runway would probably be less limiting for the A380 than the B747. It uses less runway to get airborne, has a much steeper 2nd segment gradient and has a significantly slower approach speed. The rest of the airport, however, would be very limiting.

[slamer.]

We used NZWN as a regular alternate on the B747-200, no big drama, just a sim chk-out and a few operational considerations from the Route Guide.

Would have thought YBBN, YSSY or YMML would be OK as alternates for NZAA. after all, doesnt EK carry return (tanker) fuel across the Tasman..? . With operational CAT III it all becomes a little academic, probably depends on their flight planning policy.

[c100driver]

:uhoh:
Wellington is a definite no-no. In 1991, as I recall, a UA B747 landed there after Auckland airport was closed by atmospheric ash from a volcanic eruption and Christchurch, the alternate, was closed due to fog. The aircraft stayed on the runway. There were no injuries and no damage. However it was several months before Boeing-instructed technicians had gutted most of the inside of the aircraft to lighten it, and it was able to take off into a brisk southerly headwind with just enough fuel to reach Auckland.


Yes the UA B747 did divert to WLG. The aircraft taxi to gate 24 (was 22 then). Airfield closed whilst aircraft taxi due to side infrigment, and opened again after it was at the gate. Departure was delayed until performance information caclulated at Denver, it took a while as I was trying to hang around to watch it depart. I returned to Wellington the next morning and it was not there so it must have left later that day or early next for Auckland.

QF operated the B747SP into Wellington for years, Air NZ operated the B747-200 into Wellington as an Auckland alternate. The Wellington option was not used for the B747-400 as Air NZ negotiated a landing and handling agreement with the RNZAF for OHA.

The A380 is limited to emergency use only for CHC due to taxi width and strength issues.

[blzbub]

We, there you go. Wrong again. Maybe my wife has a point :ouch:

[c100driver]

blzbub
We, there you go. Wrong again. Maybe my wife has a point :ouch:You are still OK as UA has also diverted to OHA in the past as well. There has been a number of others but I am not sure which airlines they were. I do know that they had some issues as only Air NZ had a previous landing right agreement with the Air Force.

[Going Boeing]

For reasons known only to the parties involved in the negotiations, the NZ Guvmint/RNZAF gave approval to QF B743's (& A332's I think) to use Ohakea as a nominated alternate to Auckland - but not to QF B744's. This is why, on many occasions, Air NZ aircraft ex LAX (which have approval for all types to nominate Ohakea) can continue to Auckland when the weather is below alternate criteria while the QF B744's have to divert to Nadi or Noumea. It gives Air NZ one hell of a competitive advantage over its main competitor.

[c100driver]

The approval for Air NZ to use OHA was up for neg early last year and has still not been concluded. Air NZ has not been able to use OHA as an alternate since then, Though it is available for emergency use for anyone.

A few problems are that the TWR is no longer H24 and approach control is not available H24 either. All to save a few dollars on manning costs (and frees up some manpower that is in short supply)

So it is not just a rubber stamp for the flag carrier either!

[blzbub]

Wasn't that long ago there were 2 or 3 diverts there. Caused quite a commotion amongst the local anorak types.