Airbus A380 Approved for Standard Runways

Airbus says its A380 passenger jet has received approval from European and U.S. aviation authorities to operate on most of the world’s runways. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will allow the superjumbo transport to be operated on runways with a width of 45 meters (150 feet) or more. Most of the world airports have 45m runways as standard width. "This aircraft has been shown to be safely controllable and to be compliant with applicable airworthiness requirements when operating on runways with a width of 45 meters (150 feet) or more", stated James J. Ballough, FAA Director Flight Standards Service in an official correspondence to Airbus, dated July 19, 2007. “Full Airport compatibility has always been a key design driver for this new aircraft,” says Airbus executive Mario Heinen, “Since the very beginning of the A3XX concept phase in 1996, Airbus has established a sustainable dialogue with regulators, airports, airlines, ground handlers and pilots as well as trade-associations, with the objective to make it fully compliant with the average airport environments.” The A380 has already visited more than 45 airports. By 2011, more than 70 airports will be ready for A380 operations. Preparing for the arrival of the A380, which carries over 500 passengers, has been expensive for many airports. Los Angeles International is expected to be the first U.S. destination for the next-generation passenger aircraft.