Franklin Connection

Emerates airlines have recently announced that their A380 airbus service will use Manchester airport. It is planned that the superjumbo, which can carry up to 517 passengers, will be used in daily flights from Manchester to Dubai.

Although there have been some reliability and economy concerns associated with the A380 some say that this aircraft represents the future of flying.

The aircraft began to experience problems even before its first flight in 2007. Only around 25 of these superjumbo aircraft have been delivered since the launch.

The A380 airbus boasts a number of design enhancements that should have made it a popular choice with airlines. The aircraft is much quieter than comparable planes due to advanced wing and undercarriage design. Exhaust emissions are greatly reduced and the use lightweight materials has greatly reduced the use of fuel.

Quantas and Emirates airlines have both voiced concerns over the aircraft’s reliability in the past. Quantas experienced some high profile problems when all three of their A380 aircraft were grounded and declared unserviceable due to fuel tank indicator system problems.

Many commercial airlines have been hit hard by the recession. Many airlines have cancelled their orders for A380 aircraft, including Lufthansa, Virgin and Fed Ex.

Manchester airport has invested around £10 million in preparing their airfield and terminal building for the new SuperJumbos. It is anticipated that the airbus A380 will replace the existing Boeing 777, currently used for Emirates flights from Manchester.

Emirates airlines president Tim Clark has said: “Manchester has been one of the strongest performers in our growing network of regional gateways, not only in the UK but globally. Our customers value our commitment to a regional network at a time when other airlines are abandoning them.”

So it’s looking like this new iconic jet is set to become as much an eye-catching fixture at Manchester airport as it is at Heathrow and other busy international hubs.

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