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Posted on 05/08/2007 4:26:21 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
House Transportation Ranking Member John Mica (R-Fla.) last week renewed his attacks against the Airbus A380, claiming a new government report proves that the A380 will disrupt operations at U.S. airports -- an interpretation disputed by Airbus.
Referring to results of a Government Accountability Office report, Mica asserts that "aviation safety and capacity may be adversely affected by this enormous plane, further taxing an already strained U.S. aviation system." A380 operations will cause "reduced throughput and capacity constraints" at airports, Mica said. The GAO study was requested by Mica.
Last year, Mica launched similar criticism of the A380. He cited the enormous amounts of money being spent by U.S. airports to prepare for the aircraft, and said that U.S. taxpayers should not be paying for these upgrades. He also referred to the U.S. contention that Airbus receives unfair government subsidies. Mica introduced a bill that would have prevented airports from spending federal money on A380-related improvements (DAILY, July 20, 2006), although the bill did not progress.
Airbus disagreed with Mica's reading of the report. "We think a thorough and unbiased reading of the overall GAO report would lead to a very different conclusion, and one [that is] more balanced about the benefits of the A380," an Airbus spokesman told The DAILY. He noted that when the A380 was flown to major U.S. airports recently, airport officials talked about the aircraft as being a solution to capacity problems. Also, many airports are trying to attract A380 service.
The GAO report itself says the effect of the A380 on airport operations is uncertain. The extra passenger and freight capacity of the aircraft will help cut congestion, but on the other hand stricter taxiing and separation standards imposed on the A380 could slightly reduce the number of flights airports can handle.
The number of A380 operations expected at New York-Kennedy airport by 2015 could increase delays by 2%, according to FAA data cited in the report. San Francisco airport would see no delay increase by 2015, but a 1% increase by 2025. Many airport officials believe the A380 will not disrupt operations if its numbers remain low. While stressing that the overall effect of the A380 operating restrictions is not clear, GAO said experts generally agree that these restrictions could "add another element of complexity to airport operations and airspace management."
If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.
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Come on John, where's your vision?
Ask any demoncrat and they will tell you that it is progression that requires taxing the he!! out of everybody to make all major airports into mini metropolis' to cater to the yet to be determined viable mega-hauler.
Opinion: The early versions will only hold 3-400 as I understand. That should pose no problem.
The problems arise when they start to try and get the 600 to 800 capacity cattle car versions.
Perhaps flight restrictions increasing the distance between a loaded A380 and other aircraft on approach and rotation and time being delayed because of the air disruption created by it?
The separation issues are going to be the same whether you fly them full, half full, or empty.
The way things are going, they will be lucky to build 20 of them by 2025. All the more reason not to fund A380 specific airport improvements.
The funny thing is that Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airpor (IAH) can already handle smaller planes like the A380.
The 380 airplane is doomed. Too big to fit anywhere but limited airports in the US. It will end its days like a certain other European jet...
The Toulouse Goose is cooked!
All of the problems associated with 380 operations were voiced when the 747 was introduced.
They just upped their break-even numbers from 420 to ??? some unspecified larger number...
Give them hell, if for nothing else, payback for the euro-bitches always taking US manufacturers to court.
It’s not really the passenger count (although that brings its own set of problems). As I understand it, it’s the fact that the A380 is so big, and generates such wake turbulence, that other aircraft have to be kept further behind it than normal.
}:-)4
The runway is already there and the new Wendy's like Airport could handle the little increase in traffic.
They are also considering a new Amtrak stop at the airport to distribute to those areas.
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