Frankfurt Airport (FRA) will serve as the hub for the A380 superjumbo’s first long-haul test flights under real operational conditions. Via the FRA hub, this giant aircraft will be flying with…
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) will serve as the hub for the A380 superjumbo’s first long-haul test flights under real operational conditions. Via the FRA hub, this giant aircraft will be flying with passengers and a full Lufthansa crew to New York, Hong Kong, and Washington, D.C. Between flights, boarding and handling tests will be conducted on the ground at FRA.
In the autumn of 2005, FRA already welcomed the A380 for the world’s first airport compatibility tests. The reason for choosing Frankfurt was that FRA had been faster and more extensively prepared for this next-generation widebody aircraft than any other commercial airport.
Because of the upcoming A380 route proving flights, Fraport AG will temporarily reopen the Terminal 2 Visitors’ Terrace, which has been closed for several years now.
According to current plans, the A380 from Toulouse, France, will arrive at FRA on Saturday, March 17. After the landing and a number taxiing tests, the A380 will be park at the Lufthansa Base in the western part of the airport – which cannot be viewed from the Terminal 2 Visitors’ Terrace. The superjumbo will remain at the Lufthansa Base until the afternoon of Sunday, March 18 for tests. Then, the A380 is expected to be parked at position E5 directly in front of Terminal 2.
The first long-haul flight with about 520 passengers on board is scheduled to depart from FRA on Monday, March 19.
According to the preliminary schedule, the A380 is expected to return to FRA from its U.S. visit on Thursday, March 22. Later, extensive boarding tests will be conducted. For this purpose, the aircraft will be parked at position E5 of Terminal 2 in the morning and then moved to the western part of FRA in the afternoon. On Friday, March 23, the second long-haul flight is scheduled. The A380 will be at position E5 of Terminal 2.
On Sunday, March 25, the superjumbo will return from China and – after a three-hour turn-around – depart to Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, March 27 the A380 is expected to arrive at FRA from Washington, D.C. The superjumbo will be parked at Terminal 2 (position E5) and then be transferred to the Lufthansa Base at FRA.
On the final day of the A380 Frankfurt Test Series, Wednesday, March 28, the Terminal 2 Visitors’ Terrace will already be open to the public from morning. The A380 is expected to depart from Gate E5 for Munich at around 11:00 in the morning.
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