Paris-Charles de Gaulle: Ready to Handle the A380

Paris-Charles de Gaulle is preparing to be one of the first airports in the world to have the capability of accommodating the Airbus A380, a jumbo aircraft designed to carry 35% more passengers than its competitors. To date, the airport, under the management and oversight of Aéroports de Paris, has invested EUR 100 million in infrastructure allowing it to accommodate jumbo aircraft (i.e., Airbus A380, B777-300ER, A340-600). The specifications for the A380 have been gradually integrated into the aeronautic infrastructure of the airport (e.g., runways, taxiways, boarding lounges) since 1997, with all changes conforming to the needs of jumbo aircraft. The article discusses in detail the development of the infrastructure and facilities designed to accommodate the new class of jumbo aircraft. Currently, Paris-Charles de Gaulle offers 10 A380 contact stands, with one supplemental contact stand to be installed in 2009. Each contact stand can offer two or three jetways, with one or two of them providing access to the main deck while the third provides access to the upper deck. The article also offers a detailed discussion about La Galerie Parisienne, the new boarding lounge that opened in the summer of 2007. Principally designed for the A380, the new lounge has capacity for 20 to 26 aircraft. Included in this number are six A380 aircraft, which can be accommodated simultaneously. La Galerie's maximum annual capacity is estimated at 8.5 million passengers. The A380 arrived for the first time at Paris-Charles de Gaulle in June 2007 for compatibility and verification tests, including a simulation of the first compete ground handling under real conditions. The Airbus A380 is expected to begin daily flights to and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle in 2008.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/37505394
• Authors:
  • Chevallier, Jean-Marie
• Publication Date: 2007-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Maps; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 28-31
• Serial:
  • International Airport Review
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Russell Publishing Limited
  • ISSN: 1366-6339
  • Serial URL: http://www.russellpublishing.com/pages/airport/airport1.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airbridges; Aircraft; Airport facilities; Airport operations; Capital investments; Departure lounges; Infrastructure
• Identifier Terms: Aeroport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle; Aeroports de Paris; Airbus A380
• Uncontrolled Terms: Superjumbo aircraft
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01089146
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 27 2008 8:57AM