Future of Automated Two Arm Passenger Bridges in Doubt

After a new high tech bridge collapsed upon a United Airline's 757 wing in Denver last March, the airline has stopped using the rear wing of the bridge that extends over the wing. Airlines have always been keen on the idea because it cuts around ten minutes off passenger boarding and disembarkation times. That potentially cuts vital minutes off of turnaround times and enhances all-important aircraft utilization. United had a total of five bridges and was looking to increase that number - until the March accident which damaged the aircraft and could have injured passengers. Canada-based Dewbridge Airport Systems, which built the bridges for United, is not yet ready to release the findings of its investigation, however an official said the company is confident about the technology's future. An image of the bridge is at this link