Cap. 7 Airport Readiness/Ground Operations
a) Which airports are ready for the A380?
Changi Airport in Singapore and Sydney International Airport, Australia, both of which SIA are starting operations to, are ready for the A380.
Another 58 airports around the world are in various stages of readiness for the jumbo jet. A total of 8 airports should be ready in 2008.
b) Do you foresee any difficulties to maintain the current turnaround time for the A380 as compared to the B747-400? What procedures are put in place to maintain the turnaround time for the A380?
Many tests have been done on this to ensure that major chinks in terms of operating a much larger aircraft will be smoothened out once we start flying the aircraft. We have been working closely with our ground handlers in the various airports to ensure that the standard turnaround time for the A380 will be no longer than that of the B747-400.
As a result of the target, all current operations such as passenger handling as well as baggage handling have been “scaled up” in order to maintain the same standards. This is being monitored closely and will be constantly refined as the A380 operations mature.
c) Will procedures that have been developed for servicing of the A380 be exported to other airports?
As part of our business requirement, SIA has already been in regular contact with airport authorities and our ground handlers worldwide on their preparations for the arrival of the A380. Under consideration by airports are a range of technical and customer service issues including direct upper deck boarding and catering access, larger boarding lounges and parking bays. This is to ensure the consistency of the SIA service delivery is maintained at all SIA destinations.
d) In operating the A380s, what kind of new equipment would SIA/SATS is needed for ground handling, such as meal servicing, baggage transporting and cabin cleaning etc.?
SATS has acquired new equipment in order to effectively handle the A380 when it joins the fleet, particularly with regards to catering, where direct upper deck access catering trucks, which will enable food to be sent directly to the upper deck of the aircraft, will be required.
Singapore Airlines has also been working closely with our ground handlers in the various airports to maintain the standard turnaround time for the A380 to be no longer than that of the B747-400 of 120 minutes.
We have also been working very closely with airport authorities worldwide on their preparations for the arrival of the A380. A range of technical and customer service issues including direct upper deck boarding and catering access, larger boarding lounges and aircraft parking bays as well as longer baggage carousels are being implemented.
e) What is the minimum turnaround time for the A380 as compared to B744?
For the A380, it is 110 mins and for the B744, 90 mins.
f) What are some of the key features / changes to existing procedures are in place to ensure everyone gets onboard on time and that the plane leaves on time?
We have revised our boarding sequence and have in place clear signage to ensure customers board at the right gates.
g) Are there any key changes to existing procedures that customers have to take note off?
As the A380 is a double-deck aircraft, customers are advised to take note of which deck they are seated on, and listen to the boarding announcements and follow signage put up at the airport. Also, to ensure that everyone gets on board on time, ground staff will be stationed to assist customers when necessary.
h) You recently conducted a live trial replicating the entire boarding and operational processes for the A380 when it was here in Singapore in August. What were some of the key observations learnt from that trial, and what did you do to make sure everything goes well with real passengers?
We have gained invaluable experience during the trials conducted in August, giving us clearer ideas on how we can improve on time management, manpower deployment, coordination and communications, and safety during an aircraft turnaround, all the while ensuring the consistency of the Singapore Airlines standard of service.
Useful Information:
Singapore Airlines has been in regular contact with airport authorities worldwide starting from 01/02 on their preparations for the arrival of the A380. Under consideration by airports are a range of technical and customer service issues, mainly due to the large size of the aircraft, including direct upper deck boarding and catering access, larger boarding lounges, runways, taxiways and parking bays.
Some examples:
a) Which airports are ready for the A380?
Changi Airport in Singapore and Sydney International Airport, Australia, both of which SIA are starting operations to, are ready for the A380.
Another 58 airports around the world are in various stages of readiness for the jumbo jet. A total of 8 airports should be ready in 2008.
b) Do you foresee any difficulties to maintain the current turnaround time for the A380 as compared to the B747-400? What procedures are put in place to maintain the turnaround time for the A380?
Many tests have been done on this to ensure that major chinks in terms of operating a much larger aircraft will be smoothened out once we start flying the aircraft. We have been working closely with our ground handlers in the various airports to ensure that the standard turnaround time for the A380 will be no longer than that of the B747-400.
As a result of the target, all current operations such as passenger handling as well as baggage handling have been “scaled up” in order to maintain the same standards. This is being monitored closely and will be constantly refined as the A380 operations mature.
c) Will procedures that have been developed for servicing of the A380 be exported to other airports?
As part of our business requirement, SIA has already been in regular contact with airport authorities and our ground handlers worldwide on their preparations for the arrival of the A380. Under consideration by airports are a range of technical and customer service issues including direct upper deck boarding and catering access, larger boarding lounges and parking bays. This is to ensure the consistency of the SIA service delivery is maintained at all SIA destinations.
d) In operating the A380s, what kind of new equipment would SIA/SATS is needed for ground handling, such as meal servicing, baggage transporting and cabin cleaning etc.?
SATS has acquired new equipment in order to effectively handle the A380 when it joins the fleet, particularly with regards to catering, where direct upper deck access catering trucks, which will enable food to be sent directly to the upper deck of the aircraft, will be required.
Singapore Airlines has also been working closely with our ground handlers in the various airports to maintain the standard turnaround time for the A380 to be no longer than that of the B747-400 of 120 minutes.
We have also been working very closely with airport authorities worldwide on their preparations for the arrival of the A380. A range of technical and customer service issues including direct upper deck boarding and catering access, larger boarding lounges and aircraft parking bays as well as longer baggage carousels are being implemented.
e) What is the minimum turnaround time for the A380 as compared to B744?
For the A380, it is 110 mins and for the B744, 90 mins.
f) What are some of the key features / changes to existing procedures are in place to ensure everyone gets onboard on time and that the plane leaves on time?
We have revised our boarding sequence and have in place clear signage to ensure customers board at the right gates.
g) Are there any key changes to existing procedures that customers have to take note off?
As the A380 is a double-deck aircraft, customers are advised to take note of which deck they are seated on, and listen to the boarding announcements and follow signage put up at the airport. Also, to ensure that everyone gets on board on time, ground staff will be stationed to assist customers when necessary.
h) You recently conducted a live trial replicating the entire boarding and operational processes for the A380 when it was here in Singapore in August. What were some of the key observations learnt from that trial, and what did you do to make sure everything goes well with real passengers?
We have gained invaluable experience during the trials conducted in August, giving us clearer ideas on how we can improve on time management, manpower deployment, coordination and communications, and safety during an aircraft turnaround, all the while ensuring the consistency of the Singapore Airlines standard of service.
Useful Information:
Singapore Airlines has been in regular contact with airport authorities worldwide starting from 01/02 on their preparations for the arrival of the A380. Under consideration by airports are a range of technical and customer service issues, mainly due to the large size of the aircraft, including direct upper deck boarding and catering access, larger boarding lounges, runways, taxiways and parking bays.
Some examples:
Airside - Runways and taxiways must be of sufficient length and width. Separations between runways/taxiways and taxiways/taxiways must also be sufficient to take into account the increased wingspan of the aircraft.
Apron - Parking bays must be of sufficient size (80m X 80m). There must be sufficient parking bays and contact stands at the terminal buildings at each airport, taking into account the number of carriers which will operate the A380 to the airport.
Boarding - Passenger boarding bridges must lead directly to the upper deck. This is not only necessary for passengers’ convenience but also to cater for passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) accessing the upper deck.
Ground Handling – Ground handling equipment such as catering trucks must be able to service the upper deck of the aircraft. Tow tugs to push back the aircraft, given its increased weight, must be available.
Terminal - Terminal facilities must be expanded/enhanced to handle the increased passenger numbers (e.g. Boarding Gate Rooms, CIQ facilities, arrival baggage belts, etc).
Apron - Parking bays must be of sufficient size (80m X 80m). There must be sufficient parking bays and contact stands at the terminal buildings at each airport, taking into account the number of carriers which will operate the A380 to the airport.
Boarding - Passenger boarding bridges must lead directly to the upper deck. This is not only necessary for passengers’ convenience but also to cater for passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) accessing the upper deck.
Ground Handling – Ground handling equipment such as catering trucks must be able to service the upper deck of the aircraft. Tow tugs to push back the aircraft, given its increased weight, must be available.
Terminal - Terminal facilities must be expanded/enhanced to handle the increased passenger numbers (e.g. Boarding Gate Rooms, CIQ facilities, arrival baggage belts, etc).
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