Gatwick Airport is A380 ready

New stand showcases Gatwick’s development into a world-class aviation facility
Larger aircraft are key to increasing passenger numbers going forward
Stand will offer further opportunities to open new long-haul routes from Gatwick

2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today marks a key milestone in Gatwick’s on-going transformation, as the airport officially opens its new £6.4 million pier-served A380 stand. To celebrate the occasion, Emirates – the world’s largest A380 customer – will today operate a one-off A380 aircraft into Gatwick, giving stand 110 on pier six the final stamp of approval.

The new stand now enables Gatwick to accommodate A380s – the world’s largest commercial aircraft flying today – on scheduled services in the future. As the airport continues to focus on making the most of its available capacity in the short and medium term, scheduled A380 services would provide more seats per plane and support growth in passenger numbers.

The Emirates A380 aircraft, which stands at over 24 metres high and has a wing span of nearly 80 metres, arrives as a scheduled passenger flight from Dubai. Despite its size, the Emirates A380 is the quietest long range aircraft and is known for its fuel-efficient technology.

Gatwick, which currently welcomes 34 million passengers per year, has around 25 per cent spare capacity and is forecast to grow its passenger numbers to around 38 million by 2020. As the world’s busiest single-use runway, increasing passenger numbers on board flights is a key element of the airport achieving its targets for growth going forward.

Scheduled A380 services would also support the progress Gatwick has made in attracting new direct long-haul routes, particularly to key emerging markets such as China, Vietnam and Indonesia. With a range of around 15,700km, the A380 is ideal for long-distance travel. The completion of the new stand therefore offers existing Gatwick airlines, as well as new airlines, the opportunity to serve more long-haul destinations going forward.

Guy Stephenson, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Gatwick is delighted to officially open its A380 stand today, marking an important milestone in the development and growth of the airport as a world-class aviation facility.

“The new stand is a symbol of the major changes that have happened at Gatwick under new ownership. The fact we can now offer current and future airlines a pier-served facility for A380 aircraft demonstrates the scale of ambition we have for the future of Gatwick as we continue on our journey to compete and grow.”

Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President UK, said: “As the largest A380 operator in the world, it is a historic moment to see one of our A380s use the new Gatwick stand for the first time at the official opening. It shows once again that Emirates is the go-to airline when it comes to the A380 aircraft.

“We’ve always said that the A380 is the future of air travel, and this investment by Gatwick endorses our vision for the aircraft and its capabilities. The new stand here at Gatwick follows the launch of Concourse A in Dubai, the world’s first purpose-built A380 concourse.

“We consider Gatwick as a key hub within the Emirates network and are confident that the investment they have put in place today will provide passengers with an ever improving level of service for years to come.”

Notes to Editors

Under new ownership, Gatwick has invested around £900m to date to improve infrastructure and facilities.
Work on the A380 stand project started in June 2012 and completed in March 2013 at a total cost of £6.4m.
For more information on Airbus A380 please click here

About the project

Airfield modifications

Widening of three runway rapid exit taxiways to Code F.
Modifications to taxiways to provide Code F access between the runway and the stand.
Purchasing new fire equipment to support A380 aircraft operations.

Apron and stand modifications

Stand pavement reconstruction and reconfiguration including provision of fuel hydrant system.
Aircraft fixed electrical ground power.
Stand entry guidance systems.
Stand lighting.

Internal pier, airbridges, node and fixed link

Modifications to the pier to manage the aircraft size and volume of passengers included:

Three airbridges – two main deck and one upper/main deck providing flexible access to code C and E.
Single level node with stairs to ramp.
Fixed link between node and pier.
Reconfiguration of gate desks and queuing system.
Provision of dynamic gate signage.

About Emirates:

Emirates airline operates 112 non-stop flights per week from the UK to Dubai. In Dubai, passengers can connect to Emirates’ global network, which spans 132 destinations across six continents in 77 countries.

Emirates offers an award-winning service with multi-cultural cabin crew, state-of-the-art ice inflight entertainment, complimentary onboard food and drinks including alcohol, generous checked baggage allowances (30kg Economy Class and 40kg Business Class); complimentary Chauffeur-drive for Business Class within a 70-mile radius; use of a (shared) airport lounge; lie-flat seats in Business Class.

For more information contact:

Gatwick Airport press office

t: + 44 (0) 1293 505000
e: gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com

About Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world. It serves around 200 destinations in 90 countries for around 34 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South-East region, generating around 23,000 on-airport jobs and a further 13,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is 28 miles south of London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.