On the night of April 18th/19th Moscow Domodedovo airport has received a unique cargo - Apron Drive jet bridge, intended for servicing the world’s largest passenger liner - Airbus 380, Domodedovo’s press-service reports. AEX.ru
"The main technical feature of this equipment, which has not been operated in Russia before, is the jet bridge’s ability to reach the upper deck of the aircraft: the lift height of its docking device is 8,5 meters instead of 5,4 meters for regular jet bridges. After installing this equipment Domodedovo airport, the first Russian airport to service Airbus А380 (in October 2009), will be all ready for servicing the world’s largest passenger liner on regular basis", - the airport explained.
The glass Apron Drive jet bridge, which fits perfectly into architectural solutions of Domodedovo airport, was assembled at ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems site. Its journey to Moscow started on March 19th from Mires (Spain) and ended at the airport’s ramp a month later. Specific conditions have been fulfilled during the transportation of this cargo – the height of extended jet bridge is comparable to the height of nine-storeyed house (about 31 meters). In particular, on the final stage the trailer train formed by 4 tow cars, 2 escort vehicles and one police car was moving through Moscow Region and Moscow at nighttime (at a rate of 30 kilometers per hour) in order to avoid traffic jams, Domodedovo noted.
"The two-storeyed jet bridge, which is being installed at Domodedovo, guarantees meeting the requirements of A380 operators – the period of time intended for boarding of passengers should not exceed 25 minutes (the liner’s capacity is 550-800 passengers) and the passengers unloading should be carried out in 15 minutes", - the press-service said.
The new Apron Drive jet bridge will be docked to the two active jet bridges and then connected to the single special system - “Anticollising”. The system not only synchronizes the work of all the jet bridges, but also eliminates the possibility of collision between the jet bridges and any obstacles.
The airport has acquired the equipment made by global leading manufacturers within the framework of preparation for servicing A380 on the regular basis. Domodedovo has acquired 2 additional Elephant B-15 deicers by Vestergaard. The airport has also acquired 2 Schopf airtows (its weight is 70 tons) and two aircraft tow-bars by Cavotec for towage of the liner, which weighs 500 tons.
After completion of the jet bridge’s mounting on May 4th, Domodedovo will become the only Russian airport, which is all ready for servicing A380 jets on regular basis, Domodedovo’s press-service noted.