British Airport Authority executives are counting on mega-transports to help Heathrow handle up to 90-95 million passengers a year using just two main runways. "The Airbus A380 is critical to us— it will change the face of Heathrow and the face of long-haul travel," says Eryl Smith, BAA's business strategy, planning and development director. The 555-seat A380 is scheduled to begin operating to London in the second quarter of 2006 and, in the longer term, is expected to also serve Gatwick and Stansted. According to Airbus officials, 60 airports are either ready or preparing to handle A380s. Turnaround time should average 1 hr. 30 min. The European manufacturer, which inked 133 firm orders for passenger and all-cargo A380s, plans to deliver the first aircraft in the second quarter of 2006 (AW&ST July 19, p. 135).
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