LOS ANGELES, May 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Officials at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) today confirmed that plans are well underway to prepare Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to accommodate new large aircraft entering commercial airline service in 2006. Specifically, LAWA has developed short- and long-term plans to accommodate Airbus 380 operations at the airport.
According to Michael DiGirolamo, deputy executive director of LAWA Airports Operations, "LAWA officials have been working in close consultation with future operators of the A-380 and continue to conduct on-going planning meetings with Airbus Industries, the airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure LAX is fully prepared for A-380 operations." He added, "We are confident that LAX will be ready to accommodate the A-380 with the highest standards of safety when the first airline begins using the aircraft at LAX in late-2006."
Seven passenger airlines and one cargo air carrier have placed orders for A-380 aircraft for use on high-density international routes serving LAX. According to DiGirolamo, Singapore Airlines is scheduled to be the first airline to serve LAX with the A-380 aircraft in late 2006. Qantas, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Korean, Malaysian, Lufthansa, Federal Express (all cargo) have indicated they plan to schedule A-380 operations at LAX beginning 2007.
For the short-term, A-380 arrival and departure runways, proposed taxi paths, and passenger boarding/deplaning gate opportunities at two passenger terminals, where almost all of the international air carriers operate, have been identified. The Federal Aviation Administration recently granted conditional approval of LAWA's short-term plans.
The LAX Master Plan addresses the long-term solutions to accommodate the A-380. The Master Plan projects, when implemented, will improve operational efficiency and customer service for the A-380.
The next planning session with Airbus, the airlines and the FAA is scheduled May 20, 2004, at LAX.
LAWA is a Los Angeles City department that owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and three other Southern California airports.