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The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS),
which develops and manages Singapore Changi Airport, is actively
preparing for the first commercial flight of the new super jumbo
aircraft, the Airbus 380 (A380). |
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CAAS has converted Gate F31, an existing
gate holdroom in Terminal 2, into an A380-compatible gate. As the
555-seat A380 represents a thirty per cent increase in
passenger-carrying capacity over that of a Boeing 747-400, Gate F31 has
been enlarged to provide more holding and circulation space. |
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When the A380's first commercial flight
takes place at Changi Airport sometime next year, passengers seated on
its upper deck will be able to board or disembark from the aircraft
directly via a third Passenger Loading Bridge (PLB), or what is more
commonly known as the third aerobridge arm. |
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This is a major improvement from the current
method practised at airports worldwide whereby only one or two PLBs are
provided at each boarding gate, without the capability to reach the
upper deck of the double-decker A380 aircraft. |
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The installation of the PLBs and the
additional fixed gangway, which links the gate holdroom to the PLB, at
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 cost approximately S$15 million. |
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CAAS will be upgrading a number of gate
holdrooms at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 progressively and adding a third
PLB at these gate holdrooms. When Terminal 3 opens for operations by
2008, there will be a total of 19 gates at Changi Airport which can
serve A380 flights. |
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Besides getting the gates ready to
accommodate the A380 aircraft, CAAS is also making modifications to
other infrastructure at Changi Airport. As Changi¡¯s two runways and
network of taxiways are already able to take the load of the A380, there
was no need to strengthen the runways and taxiways. |
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However, the runways' shoulders and the
runway-taxiway and taxiway-taxiway intersections are being widened, so
as to allow pilots to manoeuvre the giant A380 aircraft safely at the
turns. |
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A pair of A380-compatible remote aircraft
parking stands has also been completed for A380 aircraft which may need
to park for longer periods away from the passenger terminal buildings. |
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Other modification works include the
extension of baggage belt carousels at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 since
A380 flights are expected to carry more passenger baggage. |
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To facilitate cargo airlines' A380 aircraft
operations at Changi Airport, CAAS has completed the construction of two
new A380-compatible freighter aircraft stands. |
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Other preparations undertaken by CAAS
include spending another S$8 million to purchase rescue equipment and
larger fire-fighting vehicles. |
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The Minister of State for Finance and
Transport, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, was at Changi Airport this morning to
launch F31, the first A380-ready gate to be completed. "As an
international air hub, Changi Airport must be well-positioned to handle
the demands of the new A380 aircraft as well as the corresponding
increase in passenger loads without compromising the high standards of
safety, efficiency and service which Changi Airport is well-known for,"
said Mrs Lim. |
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She continued, "To ensure that the 'Changi
Experience' is not compromised for A380 passengers, adequate check-in,
immigration and security screening channels will be provided for to
ensure quick clearance of passengers." |
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Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of
Civil Aviation added, "Getting Changi Airport ready ahead of the first
A380 commercial flight is part of the need for the airport to be nimble
in responding to the needs of our airline customers. CAAS is committed
to delivering our promise to continually improve and upgrade airport
facilities to meet the expectations and satisfaction of the airlines. |
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"The close coordination between CAAS and the
various parties, such as Airbus, airlines and airworthiness authorities
have helped to ensure that the preparations to handle the A380 flights
and modification works to Changi Airport are carried out safely,
efficiently and thoroughly with minimal disruption to ongoing airport
operations." |
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Source:
www.changiairport.com.sg
Press Release 16 Aug 2005 |
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Related Article: |
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Singapore Airlines to be first to fly Airbus A380 |
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Changi Airport first outside Europe to welcome Airbus A380 |
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First Gate at Singapore Changi Airport ready for Airbus 380
