A380 Sched ops into NZAA from 1FEB08
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A380 Sched ops into NZAA from 1FEB09
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.
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.
Last edited by zulu_kilo; 3rd Mar 2008 at 02:31. Reason: Title Correction
<Correction made!>
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I just want to lie flat!
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.
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.
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The world's biggest commercial airliner will begin services to Auckland from February next year.
Since when did pilots travel in economy?
I wonder where their alternate for NZAA is?
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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.. ) 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.
Their current arrival times may save their bacon.... (am I allowed to say that..
) 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.
Originally Posted by 27/09
I wonder where their alternate for NZAA is?
- CAT I ILS
- >3000m runway
- Can already handle B747/C5 A/C
- Customs & Immigration
- Already an EK destination (ie ground crew available)
wonder what (if any) the x-wind limit is on the 380..?
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.
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NZCH probably not the alternate
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.
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.
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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!
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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"
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"
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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.
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.
