São Paulo – The largest aircraft in the world may fly to Brazil regularly. Emirates airline, from Dubai, is negotiating with the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (Infraero), the completion of its Dubai-São Paulo flight with an Airbus A380-800 aircraft, the largest in the world, also called the "superjumbo".
The double decker aircraft may transport up to 517 passengers in three classes: first, executive and economy, and requires specific infrastructure to operate in some airports. For this, Emirates is negotiating with the Infraero to use the aircraft in the Dubai-São Paulo route, though aiming at not hindering other flights.
According to a spokesperson for Infraero, Emirates sought the company to ask for authorisation to fly the aircraft to Brazil starting in December. The aircraft would land in Guarulhos at 6:30 pm and take off for Dubai at 1:00 am. These are peak hours for the airport and allowing take-off at this time would hinder operation of other flights, according to Infraero. An aircraft of this size requires more time for boarding and arrival of passengers and cargo.
For this reason, the Brazilian state-owned company has offered Emirates another option. The aircraft could arrive in Guarulhos at 4:30 pm and take off at 2:00 am. Emirates, according to Infraero, is studying the option.
When sought by ANBA, the airline stated that it is studying the possibility of flying the A380 to Brazil. In a press statement, the director general at Emirates Brazil, Ralf Aasmann, stated that "Emirates is studying the possibility of flying the A380 to several airports around the world, including São Paulo International Airport. Brazil is a very important destination for Emirates and we hope to bring the A380 to São Paulo at the right moment.” Emirates have daily flights to and from São Paulo in the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, transporting up to 364 passengers. In January 2012, the company will also start flying to Rio de Janeiro.
The A380 has never operated regular flights to Brazil, but landed at Guarulhos Airport once, in December 2007. At the time, tests were made in the taxiing area, on the landing strips, boarding areas and luggage area. Two fingers (the tubes that allow passengers to board the aircraft) were connected to the A380. According to the Infraero, the tests were successful and show that São Paulo International may receive the aircraft with no need for extra works. However, that is not true for peak times.
The A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world and started flying in 2007. The aircraft has two storeys and transports up to 525 passengers, according to the configuration chosen by the airline. The aircraft is 72.7 metres long and has a wingspan of 79.8 metres. It may fly up to 15,000 kilometres non-stop at up to 43,100 feet (13,100 metres). The aircraft’s maximum speed is Mach 0.89 (around 890 km/h).
Emirates fly 15 A380 aircraft and have orders for another 75. The company already flies the aircraft to London, Beijing, Paris, Soul, Sydney, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Rome, Toronto, Jeddah, Bangkok, Auckland, Manchester, Hong Kong, New York and Johannesburg.
*Translated by Mark Ament
