Super jumbo flies… but not to CAK
I can’t believe it! A 480 ton airplane took to the sky with 474 Airbus employees onboard. Remember, I’m in marketing not physics so this feat is truly amazing to me. Befuddlement aside, this flight is really fascinating. This jet can carry up to 550 people each and every time it takes off. Can you imagine checking all your bags with more than 500 people in a crowded airport? Yikes!
Airbus, the European conglomerate that competes with Boeing for aircraft orders, has invested billions in the 380 program. It hopes to fill a niche for flying between large cities around the globe. The program has suffered though from costly delays that has slowed aircraft deliveries. The company axed Charles Champion and replaced him with the new project manager, Mario Heinen. Singapore Airlines is the launch customer for the superjumbo jet. Fifteen other companies have placed orders too, so the enormous jet will be added to other fleets over the next several years as well.
We in the airport world though, marvel at the complexity this type of airplane would add to our operations. Think about the ticket counter, gate space, baggage claim, ramp space, and runway requirements for this aircraft. Whew, my head spins just thinking about it! Large, crowded airports will have to invest millions to accommodate the number of people who will simultaneously descend upon an airport to board one of these babies (plus all the peeps who will be in the airport to fly other carriers).
The good news is… you probably won’t see an A380 land at CAK! Although I’d love to see it (once), it just isn’t the kind of plane we have designed our airfield for. Our design is based on the Boeing 737 (135 seats). That kind of guideline helps us maximize our space for your comfort- inside and outside of the terminal.
Check out this cool video of the first flight. Maybe you could just pretend it is landing at CAK.
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