Quote:
Originally Posted by Yasa
Don't know if this was answered, but with the addition of the new runway and terminal, does this mean we'll see more 747's and possibly A380's?
|
Short answer: No.
Long answer: The new parallel runway will finally allow operations without intersecting runways. The extra length is a godsend to ALL aircraft types on high density altitude days. YYC sits at 3557' above sea level, however due to temperature and pressure the air can either be thicker or lighter (to keep it simple). So on a 25 degree summer day the density altitude could be up at 8000', and the aircraft and its engines will perform like it is already at that altitude. So that equals things like more runway needed to takeoff since the aircraft engines aren't performing at full sea level power.
So this extra runway will allow all aircraft types to possibly depart at maximum weight or closer to it. That can either mean they are taking more fuel (to fly farther) or cargo/passengers (more money). So it does open up the possibility of increased 747 ops (most likely cargo if any), but I highly doubt we'll ever see the A380 here (unless one diverts due to some reason).
The media wrongly keeps focusing on the new runways length as a reason for more "jumbo jet" traffic. Totally missing the density altitude and parallel runway operation reasons. Which are why it is going ahead.
Edit: One note about possible A380 diversions. YYC has a pretty decent chance of that occurring one day, as both Lufthansa and Air France will be shortly introducing the A380 on their flights to San Francisco (not too mention Emirates and all their A380 ops). Quite a lot of those routes will bring the aircraft near the Calgary area.