Is Bigger Better?

Anyone who has traveled through Manchester airport in the past few years cannot fail to have noticed the work that has been underway. The modifications, at a total cost of £10m were to allow the airport to handle they new super-jumbo jet, the Airbus A380.

The Airbus A380 is the largest passenger airliner ever built. There is a almost half a square kilometer of floor space inside the aircraft – perfect perhaps for people who get a little claustrophobic when they are flying! With a range of over 15,000 km  the Airbus A380 can take up to 853 people nearly half way around the world without having to stop for fuel.

The capacity of 853 people is dependent on an all economy class layout. Airlines operating flights to the UK are unlikely to take this option – instead preferring to add extra space and comfort. With the completion of airport improvements, there will be daily flights to Manchester (as well as flights to London) from the United Arab Emirates.

Only 17 airports are actually able to handle an aircraft the size of the A380. This is because its colossal size requires much longer, straighter and wider runways than are commonly available. It is this factor that will slow the adoption of super-jumbos, but there are hopes that in time they could be the future of aviation.

The main reason for having bigger planes is efficiency. Jet fuel costs more than ever (and will probably only increase in price) and aircraft designed in the 1960′s use much more of it than more modern examples. With the current concern over climate change it is also highly possible that carbon charges could be levied on air travel. In the event of this happening airlines with fleets capable of moving passengers at a lower level of carbon emissions per head would be at a clear advantage.