The following extracts courtesy BAA Plc Heathrow and edited by Speedbirds.com. LONDON HEATHROW GETS READY TO RECEIVE THE NEW A380
The new A380 - part of which was built and developed in Filton, Bristol - due to make its first historic landing tomorrow at London heathrow, and here are some key facts about the new pier six which has been specially-built to accommodate the new blue riband passenger aircraft.       The new facility will be opened by Gordon Brown, MP for Dunfermline East and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

KEY FACTS

A new pier 6 has been built to accommodate the A380, which begins commercial services from April 2007. Built at a cost of £105M over eighteen months, the new pier will be 280 metres long, 20 metres high and up to 40 metres wide. The new JX stands will be 20 metres wider than the JW stands currently used for Boeing 747 aircraft.

There will be four JX stands, incorporating the Multi Access Ramp System (MARS), which can cope with one A380 or two aircraft of up to A320 size at a time.

There will be four gaterooms, coping with up to 2,000 passengers. It is fully wireless compliant and also contains childrens play areas and vending facilities.

Efficient

The new pier 6 is the first building to be part L compliant- making it more energy-efficient. It will be opened by Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer and leading proponent of energy-efficient technologies and working.

Pier 6 has been built parallel with the south runway, departing from previous convention.

3,000 construction workers have played their part in its construction. 1,500 tonnes of steel were used- a similar gross to that of the BA London Eye. It also contains some 3,000 square metres of external glazing.

London Heathrow will be one of the first to be ready to receive the new A380. It is already the World's busiest airport- with 190 destinations reached by LHR.

Speedbirds.com/17th May 2006.