Expert: D. Norkus - 2/28/2007

Question
Hi Dottie,
I was listening to the radio this morning and it said that Airbus is finally going to land an A380 at LAX. I was surprised when I heard that because I thought numerous A380s had already landed at LAX. What are some things that LAX is doing to accomodate the A380? Could their runways withstand the tremendous weight of the aircraft?

Answer
Kevin

As of yet, the Airbus A380 has not made an appearance at LAX. However, after much dismay by LAX officials when snubbed by Airbus on their planned promo tour, officials at Airbus and QANTAS announced today the A380's first visits to the United States will include an added stop at Los Angeles International Airport.

The scheduled landing is set to take place on March 19, 2007. On that day two A380 aircraft will land in the USA: one at LAX and another at JFK in New York. (Since I will be flying in and out of LAX that day, I hope to see it myself.)

After that, you will have to wait until it is in airline service to catch a glimpse of the A380. Due to all the delays associated with the A380 program, exactly when airline flights will begin is a guess. Singapore Airlines expected their first A380 in the last quarter of 2006 and Qantas in April 2007. The first airline delivery to Singapore is now scheduled for October 2007. Qantas said it will put the A380 on their Melbourne and Sydney to Los Angeles routes, so once it enters service you can see it there with QANTAS colors.

As far as LAX readiness, the southern most runway is presently being rebuilt after being torn out and moved farther south to increase space between 25L and 25R. The taxiways are also being redone. This project also helps to lessen the possibility of runway incursions. Gate parking and passenger service areas have also been redone for the aircraft. The airport has spent about $50 million on all of this. Once complete, LAX will be ICAO "category F" to handle  the A380. To qualify for Category F status, an airport must be equipped to handle aircraft with 210-265ft wingspans and a 45-52 feet main landing gear wheelbase (distance between the outer tires of the main landing gear). (The A380's 262 ft wingspan exceeds that of the Boeing 747-400 by approximately 49 feet.) Read more about what it takes to be an A380 compliant airport here-

http://www.content.airbusworld.com/SITES/Technical_Data/docs/AC/DATA_CONSULT/AC_...

Dottie