First scheduled A380 to PER / ADL

[markis10]

I'm also pretty sure A380 is painted on the apron adjacent to the terminal in ADL. Not sure why they would do that if they weren't ready.

ADL is ready as well, its A380 bay is very obvious, Gate 18 is the A380 gate.

 

[arraitch]

According to Perth Airport : Airport Redevelopment:

EXPANDING OUR INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
All of the main passenger processing areas of the International Terminal will be expanded and enhanced. Features of the International Terminal expansion will include:
<snip>
• Aircraft gates able to efficiently service new era aircraft, including the A380 aircraft.
<snip>
Redevelopment of the International Terminal is expected to commence in late 2011 and be completed in 2013.

 

[harvyk]

Yes QF are very Sydney centred so the idea of running A380s out of PER would be unlikely.
We are getting a 747-400 for the run to SYD so that is an international cast off that must have been surplus to their BNE demand and Dallas demand.
To be honest I really liked going to SYD on the old 747-300 despite it's age and so I think the 747-400 will be very popular especially up front and up top.

100% Agree, especially with the parts about the 743 and now 744
That said, whilst I never expect to see a QF A380 at either ADL or PER, an EK or SQ A380 is more likely...

 

[oz_mark]

Perth is A380 ready and has already hosted a couple of flights including an EK diversion. They upgraded the runway in2005 for this reason.

They have done work on the runway and taxiways. The terminal is a problem though. It can barely cope with things now......

 

[markis10]

They have done work on the runway and taxiways. The terminal is a problem though. It can barely cope with things now......

Maybe we should say A380 unfriendly but ready . Regardless I don't see regular A380 flights for at least ten years.

 

[dajop]

Surely for ADL the chances of being served by and A380 are approaching zero.

For PER the most likely scenarios (but still low) are a QF fleet utilization service to/from SYD or an EK service? Other than that there's always a chance of them finding their way into the schedules in late September should West Coast, Fremantle, Port or the Crows look like making the grand final.....

 

[kamchatsky]

I simply cannot see ADL having A380 service. There is simply no need for it at the moment, unless they double their population ..... in 80 years
Even for Crows/Power games in MEL a lot of people would just catch overnight bus or drive down instead of flying.

 

[Flying Fox]

I wonder if ADL's runway is long enough for a fully loaded A380? Anyone? Would be good just to have more destinations as a start

Yes I'm pretty sure ADL is A380 ready. Gate 18 is painted up for it and QF has landed A380s here during their trials.

 

[jb747]

Being able to park the jet somewhere, or taxi without hitting a light pole might make the airport able to handle a diversion, but I wonder how well the rest of the terminal systems would stand up to it.

But, the issue is simply one of loads. The A380 is a hubbing aircraft. It must have large loads to be viable, and then it must fly the right sort of sector lengths. It is useful in places where landing slots are limited.

Adelaide simply does not have the market. Perth might, though I'd really think both would be better served by the 787 style of aircraft.

 

[rwatts]

Being able to park the jet somewhere, or taxi without hitting a light pole might make the airport able to handle a diversion, but I wonder how well the rest of the terminal systems would stand up to it.

I remember a year or two ago an A340-500 made a medical diversion to ADL and parked on one of the foxtrot taxiways. The pilot told the ground controllers they could not park at the terminal since ADL did not have an appropriate towbar and would be unable to be pushed back. Stairs were driven out and the ambulance escorted to the aircraft. The stay was brief since the captain decided he didn't need additional fuel by changing his alternative from MEL to CBR.

There's all sorts of little things that need to be thought of (if 650kg of steel towbar can be little).

Richard.

 

[medhead]

I remember a year or two ago an A340-500 made a medical diversion to ADL and parked on one of the foxtrot taxiways. The pilot told the ground controllers they could not park at the terminal since ADL did not have an appropriate towbar

How heavy is a A340 vs a 747? I would have thought they might be pretty similar. Hence I'm wondering how they pushed back the 747 that was in ADL on Thursday.

 

[oz_mark]

How heavy is a A340 vs a 747? I would have thought they might be pretty similar. Hence I'm wondering how they pushed back the 747 that was in ADL on Thursday.

Not all towbars are the same - and they should use one specified for the aircraft.

AFAIK, the A380 actually carries one around with it.