    Commercial Aviation: Costs and Major Factors Influencing
    Infrastructure Changes at U.S. Airports to Accomodate the New
    A380 Aircraft (19-MAY-06, GAO-06-571).

    Airbus S.A.S (Airbus), a European aircraft manufacturer,
    introduced a new aircraft, the A380 that will be the largest
    passenger aircraft in the world with expected delivery to its
    first customers in late 2006. The A380 has a double deck and is
    expected to seat between 555 and 853 passengers. The A380 is much
    larger than its competitors with a wingspan of 262 feet, a tail
    fin about 80 feet high, and a maximum takeoff weight of over 1.2
    million pounds. A freight version of the A380 is scheduled for
    delivery in 2008. Because of the size of the A380, U.S. airports
    have to make changes to accommodate the aircraft. This may
    include widening runways and taxiways, or restructuring gate
    areas to accommodate the additional passengers. This report
    examines (1) the costs and nature of the changes U.S. airports
    are making to their infrastructure to accommodate the A380, (2)
    the funding sources being used to finance these changes, and (3)
    the major factors influencing the changes being made. The Federal
    Aviation Administration (FAA) and Airbus provided technical
    comments on the report. Airbus also commented on the 18 airports'
    cost estimates of the changes being made for the A380 and
    estimated $720 million for these changes. Based on the costs
    airports reported initially and our subsequent reconfirmation
    efforts, we did not change the cost estimates provided by the
    airports.
    -------------------------Indexing Terms-------------------------
    REPORTNUM:   GAO-06-571
        ACCNO:   A54362
      TITLE:     Commercial Aviation: Costs and Major Factors Influencing
    Infrastructure Changes at U.S. Airports to Accomodate the New
    A380 Aircraft
         DATE:   05/19/2006
      SUBJECT:   Aircraft
    	     Airports
    	     Commercial aviation
    	     Construction costs
    	     Cost analysis
    	     Financial analysis
    	     Funds management
    	     Future budget projections
    	     Standards
    	     Cost estimates
    	     Airbus 380 Aircraft

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    GAO-06-571

         * Results in Brief
         * Agency Comments and Our Evaluation
         * GAO Contact
         * Staff Acknowledgments
         * GAO's Mission
         * Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony
              * Order by Mail or Phone
         * To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs
         * Congressional Relations
         * Public Affairs

    Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on
    Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

    United States Government Accountability Office

    GAO

    May 2006

    COMMERCIAL AVIATION

    Costs and Major Factors Influencing Infrastructure Changes at U.S.
    Airports to Accommodate the New A380 Aircraft

    GAO-06-571

    Contents

    Letter 1

    Results in Brief 4
    Agency Comments and Our Evaluation 7
    Appendix I Infrastructure Changes at U.S. Airports to Accommodate the A380
    Aircraft 9
    Appendix II Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 29
    Appendix III Summary Costs Reported by Airports to Accommodate the A380 32
    Appendix IV Status of Modifications of Standards Requested by Airports to
    Accommodate the A380 68
    Appendix V Comments by Airbus 82
    Appendix VI GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments 91

    Tables

    Table 1: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport's Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006 32
    Table 2: Fort Worth Alliance Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006 34
    Table 3: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006 36
    Table 4: Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006 38
    Table 5: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006 40
    Table 6: Denver International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006 42
    Table 7: Indianapolis International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs
    as of March 1, 2006 44
    Table 8: Los Angeles International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs
    as of March 1, 2006 46
    Table 9: Louisville International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs
    as of March 1, 2006 48
    Table 10: Memphis International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as
    of March 1, 2006 50
    Table 11: Miami International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006 52
    Table 12: New York John F. Kennedy International Airport's Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006 54
    Table 13: Ontario International Airport's (Ontario, California) Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006 56
    Table 14: Orlando International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as
    of March 1, 2006 58
    Table 15: Philadelphia International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006 60
    Table 16: San Francisco International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006 62
    Table 17: Tampa International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006 64
    Table 18: Washington Dulles International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006 66
    Table 19: Status of A380-Related Modifications of Standards Requests (as
    of March 1, 2006) 68

    Figures

    Figure 1: Depiction of the Airbus A380 Aircraft 2
    Figure 2: Costs Reported by Airports for Infrastructure Changes Needed to
    Accommodate the A380 (as of March 1, 2006) 4
    Figure 3: Sources of Funding Reported by Airports for Changes to
    Accommodate the A380 6

    This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright
    protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in
    its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this
    work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the
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    separately.

    Abbreviations

    DOT Department of Transportation FAA Federal Aviation Administration

    United States Government Accountability Office

    Washington, DC 20548

    May 19, 2006

    The Honorable John Mica Chairman Subcommittee on Aviation Committee on
    Transportation and Infrastructure House of Representatives

    Dear Mr. Chairman:

    Airbus S.A.S. (Airbus), a European aircraft manufacturer, is introducing a
    new aircraft called the A380 that will be the largest passenger aircraft
    in the world.1 The A380 has a double deck and is expected to seat from
    about 555 to 853 passengers. The largest commercial aircraft in use today,
    the Boeing 747, generally seats 416 passengers. The A380 is much larger
    than its competitors, with a wingspan of about 262 feet, a tail fin
    reaching 80 feet high, and a maximum takeoff weight in excess of 1.2
    million pounds. The A380 is currently undergoing certification tests prior
    to its expected delivery to air carriers in late 2006. A freight version
    of the aircraft, the A380F, is to follow in 2008. Airbus has orders from
    16 air carriers for 159 passenger and freight aircraft. The only U.S. air
    carrier customers to date are Federal Express and UPS, which have each
    ordered 10 A380F aircraft.2

    1Airbus is incorporated as a simplified joint stock company or S.A.S.
    (Societe par Actions Simplifiee).

    2The International Lease Finance Corporation, a U.S. company, ordered five
    A380 passenger and five A380F freight aircraft and plans to lease these
    aircraft to air carriers across the world. No U.S. customers have been
    announced.

    Figure 1: Depiction of the Airbus A380 Aircraft

    Because of the size of the A380, it is subject to the Federal Aviation
    Administration's (FAA) design standards for the largest aircraft (Airplane
    Design Group VI standards), which require 200-foot-wide runways and
    100-foot-wide taxiways. However, FAA has reviewed the specification of the
    A380 and in 2003 issued interim guidance-Engineering Briefs 65 and
    63-which would allow airports to convert existing 150-foot-wide runways to
    200 feet by widening them 25 feet on each side at a lesser strength than
    required under Design Group VI standards and widening runway shoulders.
    FAA's guidance also allows the A380 aircraft to operate at airports with
    75-foot-wide taxiways, if they widen the shoulders and impose certain
    operating restrictions on the aircraft.

    In 2002, we reported that 14 airports had estimated that it would cost
    them more than $2 billion dollars to upgrade their infrastructure to
    receive new large aircraft like the A380.3 However, at that time, we noted
    that determining the cost to serve these aircraft was difficult because a
    number of important issues affecting the infrastructure changes that
    airports needed to make were unresolved. Since that time, FAA has issued
    interim guidance to airports addressing some of these issues and has
    granted Modifications of Standards to some airports planning to receive
    the A380.4 Air carriers have also placed orders and contacted a number of
    U.S. airports about their plans for the A380 arrival.

    3GAO, Airport Infrastructure: Unresolved Issues Make It Difficult to
    Determine the Cost to Serve New Large Aircraft, GAO-02-251 (Washington,
    D.C.: Feb. 4, 2002).

    With the first scheduled A380 flights to the U.S. expected in 2007, a
    number of airports have made, or are planning to make, changes to their
    infrastructure to better accommodate this aircraft. You asked us to review
    and identify the impact of the Airbus A380 on U.S. airports. In examining
    this issue, we addressed the following questions: (1) What are the costs
    and nature of changes that U.S. airports are making to their
    infrastructure to accommodate the A380 aircraft? (2) What funding sources
    are being used to finance the infrastructure changes at U.S. airports? (3)
    What major factors influence the changes being made by airports to
    accommodate the A380 aircraft? On March 16, 2006, we briefed your staff on
    the results of our work to date. Appendix I contains an updated and
    modified version of the materials we presented at that time.

    To answer these questions, we sent a survey in August 2005 to officials at
    18 airports that we identified as making preparations to receive the A380.
    We asked airport officials to estimate the costs for those infrastructure
    changes that have been completed, are ongoing, or are planned to
    accommodate the A380. We also asked officials at each airport to identify
    the sources of funding used to make the changes identified. We received
    responses from all 18 airports. We did not verify the accuracy of the
    airports' estimates. However, after we received the responses to our
    surveys, we visited officials at each airport to review the cost
    estimates, the assumptions that the airports used in developing their
    estimates, and the major factors affecting their cost estimates. In
    addition, we contacted each airport again to update and validate its costs
    as of March 1, 2006. We also reviewed the 68 requests for modifications to
    FAA's standards that 11 airports had submitted as of March 1, 2006, to
    identify what was being proposed and what FAA had approved or denied. We
    also interviewed aviation association representatives, FAA officials, and
    aviation experts. We performed our work from May 2005 through April 2006
    in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
    Additional details on our scope and methodology can be found in appendix
    II.

    4A Modification of Standard is any deviation from the established FAA
    standards to accommodate a unique condition that must be reviewed and
    approved by FAA.

                                    Results in Brief

    The 18 U.S. airports that we identified as making changes to accommodate
    the Airbus A380 estimated that they would spend about $927 million in
    completed, ongoing, or planned infrastructure projects. Figure 2 shows the
    costs reported by each airport. Additional details on each airport's
    estimated costs and the assumptions used in developing the cost estimates
    can be found in appendix III.

    Figure 2: Costs Reported by Airports for Infrastructure Changes Needed to
    Accommodate the A380 (as of March 1, 2006)

    About 83 percent of the costs reported by airports were identified for
    runway or taxiway projects. The remaining costs were for changes at gates,
    terminals, or support services. Of the A380 costs reported, about 18
    percent had been spent on completed projects, about 22 percent were
    allocated to ongoing projects, and about 60 percent were identified for
    planned projects. As a result, some airports noted that if FAA changed the
    current requirements for accommodating the A380, their estimates could
    change. For example, should FAA allow the aircraft to operate on
    150-foot-wide runways under certain conditions, this would reduce costs at
    most airports. However, if FAA decided during the certification process,
    or later, that Design Group VI standards should apply, at least half of
    the airports could face costs in excess of those reported.

    Airport officials reported using several funding sources to finance their
    infrastructure changes. As shown in Figure 3, about half of the funds
    would be provided through the Airport Improvement Program, they said.5
    Passenger facility charges were identified as the source of funding for
    about 21 percent of the costs, with revenues the airports generate, bonds,
    and other sources, such as local government funds, making up the
    remainder.6

    5Airport Improvement Program funding is a federal grant-in-aid program
    that represents a major source of funding for airport development and
    planning.

    6Passenger facility charges are fees of up to $4.50 for every enplaned
    passenger at commercial airports, which fund airport projects that enhance
    safety, security, capacity, reduce noise, or increase air carrier
    competition.

    Figure 3: Sources of Funding Reported by Airports for Changes to
    Accommodate the A380

    Note: The figure shows sources of funding for about $813 million of the
    $927 million in infrastructure changes reported by airports. Airports did
    not report the sources for the remaining $114 million.

    FAA's design standards and market considerations have been two major
    factors influencing the changes airports are making or planning to make to
    accommodate the A380. For example, in identifying the infrastructure
    changes, airports generally based their plans on either (1) the
    200-foot-wide runway and 100-foot-wide taxiway requirements for this size
    aircraft under Airplane Design Group VI standards or (2) the Engineering
    Brief guidance FAA issued, allowing airports to widen narrower runways to
    200 feet albeit at reduced strength and requiring widened runway and
    taxiway shoulders and operational restrictions. A number of airport
    officials noted that they might revise their plans if FAA makes decisions
    later this year as part of the certification process for the A380 that
    allows them to use existing 150-foot-wide runways and 75-foot-wide
    taxiways for the A380. In addition, FAA has been using a Modification of
    Standards process to review and approve A380-related infrastructure
    changes with some airports. As of March 1, 2006, 11 airports had submitted
    68 requests for Modifications of Standards to FAA, of which 47 were
    approved, 10 disapproved, and 11 were under consideration. Appendix IV
    contains further information on the requested Modifications of Standards.
    We also found that some airports are making changes to accommodate the
    A380 based on the market they serve and their future plans for the
    airport. For example, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco are
    major gateway airports that had little choice but to make changes to
    receive the A380 if they were to maintain their competitive status as
    international hubs. A number of other airports have been approached by air
    carriers with plans for future A380 passenger or freight service. These
    airports have considered the costs of making the necessary infrastructure
    changes against the potential impact on their business of receiving (or
    not receiving) A380 flights. Some other airports that have not been
    approached for A380 service are also making changes to accommodate it.
    Some of these airports want to market their availability for this aircraft
    in hopes of increasing their presence in the international market.

                           Agency Comments and Our Evaluation

    We provided a draft of this report to the Department of Transportation
    (DOT) and Airbus North America Holdings, Inc. (Airbus) for their review
    and comment. FAA (which is part of DOT) and Airbus provided technical
    comments which we incorporated into the report as appropriate.

    The Programs Director of Safety and Technical Affairs - Airbus, also
    provided written comments that are included in appendix V. Airbus
    commended us for our efforts in providing a comprehensive assessment of
    the infrastructure changes the U.S. airports have undertaken, or may
    undertake, to accommodate the A380. The Airbus response also included
    comments on each of the 18 airports in this report. It provided a total
    cost estimate for A380 modifications at these airports of $720 million,
    compared to the $927 million we are reporting.

    We recognize that it was difficult for airports to estimate the cost of
    infrastructure changes being made to accommodate the A380. For example,
    airports had to decide which projects were being done for the A380, while
    recognizing that some changes would also benefit other aircraft. In
    developing our $927 million estimate, we sent a survey to the 18 airports,
    which completed the document and returned it. After analyzing the
    responses, we visited each airport to discuss the basis for their
    responses and to ensure that the appropriate costs were included. We again
    contacted each airport to confirm the information as of March 1, 2006. We
    also recognize that the estimates contained in this report could change
    over time. As the report notes, should FAA allow the aircraft to operate
    on existing 150-foot-wide runways under certain conditions, costs could be
    reduced at most airports. However, if FAA should decide during the
    certification process, or later, that Design Group VI standards should
    apply, at least half of the airports could face costs in excess of those
    reported. Based on the information that we originally received from the
    airports and subsequent reconfirmation efforts, we have not changed the
    costs estimates provided to GAO by the airports.

    The Airbus comments can be found in appendix V.

    As agreed with your office, unless you publicly announce the contents of
    this report earlier, we plan no further distribution until 10 days from
    the report date. At that time, we will send copies of this report to
    appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary of Transportation, and
    representatives of Airbus. We also will make copies available to others
    upon request. In addition, this report will be available at no charge on
    the GAO Web site at http://www.gao.gov .

    If you have any questions about this report, please contact me at (202)
    512-2834 or by e-mail at dillinghamg@gao.gov . Contact points for our
    Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the
    last page of this report. Contributors to this report are listed in
    appendix VI.

    Sincerely yours,

    Gerald Dillingham, Ph.D.

    Gerald Dillingham, Ph.D. Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues

    Appendix I: Infrastructure Changes at U.S. Airports to
    Accommodate the A380 Aircraft

    Appendix II: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

    You asked us to review and identify the impact of the Airbus A380 on U.S.
    airports. In examining this issue, we addressed the following questions:
    (1) What are the costs and nature of changes that U.S. airports are making
    to their infrastructure to accommodate the A380 aircraft? (2) What funding
    sources are being used to finance the infrastructure changes at U.S.
    airports? (3) What major factors influence the changes being made by
    airports to accommodate the A380 aircraft?

    To determine the costs and nature of changes that U.S. airports are making
    to their infrastructure to accommodate the A380 aircraft, we developed and
    administered a survey to 18 U.S. airports that are making or planning to
    make changes to accommodate the A380 aircraft. We then visited each of the
    airports to discuss their responses. We interviewed FAA, Airbus, and U.S.
    airport officials; trade associations; and aviation experts to identify
    the regulations governing aircraft certification and airport operations.

    In creating the survey of airports, we developed questions to obtain
    information on the changes that have been made, are ongoing, or are
    planned to accommodate the A380 and the costs of the component parts of
    each project. We segmented the survey into five airport areas: runways,
    taxiways, terminals, gates, and support facilities such as hangars or fire
    and rescue equipment. We developed the airport survey document in
    consultation with FAA, airport officials, and aviation experts. Because
    these were not sample surveys, there are no sampling errors. However, the
    practical difficulties of conducting any survey may introduce errors,
    commonly referred to as nonsampling errors. For example, differences in
    how a particular question is interpreted, in the sources of information
    that are available to respondents, or how the data are entered into a
    database can introduce unwanted variability into the survey results. We
    took steps in the development of the survey, the data collection, and data
    analysis to minimize these nonsampling errors. For example, prior to
    administering the survey, we pretested the content and format with FAA
    officials, airport officials, and several aviation experts to determine
    whether (1) the survey questions were clear, (2) the terms used were
    precise, (3) respondents were able to provide the information we were
    seeking, and (4) the questions were unbiased. Based on these results, we
    made changes to the content and format of the final survey instrument.

    To determine which U.S. airports to survey, we identified 29 airports that
    had received regular 747 service, were included in our prior review as
    potentially receiving the A380,1 or had been identified by Airbus or in
    literature as potentially receiving the aircraft for regularly-scheduled
    service. We called officials at these 29 airports and identified 18 that
    were making or planned to make changes to their infrastructure to
    accommodate the A380 by 2015.

    We administered the survey to 18 airports in August 2005 via the internet.
    All airports responded to the survey. However, after we had sent the
    surveys, St. Louis International Airport officials informed us that they
    were no longer planning to make changes for the A380; therefore we dropped
    St. Louis from our survey list. During the course of our work, we were
    informed that Tampa International and San Bernadio International Airports
    were also making changes to accommodate the A380. After Tampa officials
    confirmed that they were making some A380-related changes, we invited them
    to complete our survey. But while Tampa completed the survey, San
    Bernadino officials told us that the changes they were making were not
    A380-specific and that they would be making these changes even if the A380
    did not exist. As a result, we did not include them in the survey.

    After reviewing the airport responses, we visited each airport and
    interviewed officials regarding the projects and costs they had
    identified. We wanted to understand the necessity for the construction and
    its relationship to other airport capital-improvement projects. We also
    met with FAA regional and local officials regarding the infrastructure
    changes, and any Modification of Standards requested by airports that did
    not plan to meet Design Group VI standards. We did not verify the accuracy
    of the cost estimates airports provided.

    In addition to the survey, to obtain information on the cost and nature of
    changes, we reviewed and discussed with FAA officials Airport Design Group
    VI and V standards and their application at U.S. airports. We interviewed
    FAA, Airbus, trade association officials, and aviation experts to identify
    the regulations governing aircraft certification and airport operations.
    We also obtained and analyzed any requests for Modifications of Standards
    requested by the 18 airports and summarized FAA decisions regarding the
    infrastructure and operational impacts to the airports. We also
    discussed-with FAA and airport officials-the effect that Modifications of
    Standards would have on airports' infrastructure.

    1GAO, Airport Infrastructure: Unresolved Issues Make It Difficult to
    Determine the Cost to Service New Large Aircraft, GAO-02-251 (Washington,
    D.C.: Feb. 2002).

    To identify the funding sources used to finance the A380-related
    infrastructure changes at U.S. airports, we also used the internet survey
    discussed above. We included questions regarding the source of funds for
    the various segments of projects such as shoulders and lighting for
    runways and taxiways. Specifically, we asked airports to identify funding
    from the Airport Improvement Program, passenger facility charges, airport
    revenue, airport revenue bonds, or other sources such as local government
    funds. We asked airports to provide funding information for projects that
    were completed, ongoing, and planned. We also discussed airport project
    funding with FAA program, regional, and local officials.

    To identify the major factors that influenced the changes being made by
    airports to accommodate the A380 aircraft, we interviewed FAA officials
    and officials at each of the 18 survey airports. We obtained the views of
    trade association officials and aviation experts to identify the reasons
    for making the infrastructure changes. We also reviewed literature and
    assessments of the impact of airport construction and expansion on airport
    revenues and regional economic benefits.

    During the review, the following aviation experts reviewed our methods and
    a draft of the report for accuracy and balance: Ms. Rose Agnew, Aviation
    Innovation, LLC; Mr. Cedric Curtis, Carter-Burgess, Inc.; Dr. John
    Kasarda, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and Mr. Richard
    Marchi, Airports Council International-North America.

    We performed our work from May 2005 through April 2006 in accordance with
    generally accepted government auditing standards.

    Appendix III: Summary Costs Reported by Airports to Accommodate the A380

    Table 1: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport's Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                               Cost of       Cost of       Cost of          Total
                             completed       ongoing       planned      estimated
    Project type           projects      projects      projects          costs
    Completed runway           $0.0                                       $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway             $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                    $30,000.0      $30,000.0
    projects
    Total runway                        $30,000.0
    projects
    Completed             $36,237.0                                  $36,237.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway            $0.0     $35,899.0                    $35,899.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                        $0.0           $0.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                       $72,136.0
    projects
    Completed gate             $0.0                                       $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate               $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                           $0.0           $0.0
    projects
    Total gate                               $0.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal           $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                       $0.0           $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                           $0.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support            $0.0     $16,974.0                    $16,974.0
    projects
    Planned support                                    $1,498.0       $1,498.0
    projects
    Total support                       $18,472.0
    projects
    Total airport         $36,237.0     $52,873.0     $31,498.0     $120,608.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Anchorage airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  Airport officials expect the airport to serve as a flight
               destination for the freight version of the A380. Federal Express
               and UPS have both contracted for 10 A380F aircraft. Anchorage
               expects to begin receiving the Federal Express flights in 2009
               with two daily A380 flights initially and a maximum of five A380
               daily flights by 2020.

               o  The airport's estimate assumed that it would reconstruct an
               existing runway to meet Design Group VI standards for runway
               pavement width, object-free area, and safety area. They anticipate
               that construction will begin in 2007. The estimate also included
               the construction of a taxiway that was completed in 2004 to
               accommodate A380 traffic flow. Airport officials also included the
               costs of reconstructing two other taxiways to Design Group VI
               width. Airport officials noted that if FAA were to approve lesser
               standards for the A380 they may alter their plans, which could
               reduce costs. In estimating the support costs, airport officials
               said they included plans to purchase two new Aircraft Rescue and
               Fire Fighting vehicles and the cost associated with building two
               new remote parking positions for A380 cargo aircraft.

               o  Airport officials have requested-and been approved for-two
               Modifications of Standards from FAA.

               o  Airport officials estimated that projects would be funded with
               about 93 percent from Airport Improvement Program funds, 1 percent
               through airport revenue, and 6 percent through airport bonds.

    Table 2: Fort Worth Alliance Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                           $18,392.1     $18,392.1
    Total runway
    projects                                                         $18,392.1
    Completed
    taxiway projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                            $3,985.9      $3,985.9
    Total taxiway
    projects                                                          $3,985.9
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total gate
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0          $0.0     $22,378.0     $22,378.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Fort Worth airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, no air carriers had identified Alliance
               Fort Worth for A380 service. However, the airport is a freight
               center for Federal Express, which purchased 10 aircraft. The
               airport wants to be ready to receive flights after 2008 when the
               freight aircraft is expected to be certified. In addition, airport
               officials expect that Alliance Fort Worth could be an alternate
               airport if an A380 were unable to land at Dallas/Fort Worth.

               o  The airport estimate assumed that planned runway construction
               would widen one existing 150-foot runway to 200 feet and add
               shoulders to meet Design Group VI standards. In addition, it
               assumed that construction would widen the shoulders on the 75-foot
               taxiways to comply with Engineering Brief 63 requirements. The
               airport also plans to lengthen the 200-foot-wide runway from 9,600
               feet to 13,000 feet to allow a fully loaded A380 freighter to take
               off during hot weather. The runway extension requires moving a
               railroad line and road at a substantial cost that is not included
               in the estimate. Airport officials said the project was conceived
               long before the A380 was being planned, and that the runway
               extension is not exclusive to the A380 because other aircraft
               would also benefit. Airport officials noted that construction will
               not begin before A380 certification so they can modify projects to
               comply with whatever runway and taxiway standards FAA applies to
               the A380.

               o  If necessary, the airport will request a Modification of
               Standards for FAA approval to construct taxiways that meet
               Engineering Brief 63 requirements.

               o  All construction would be paid for by Airport Improvement
               Program funds.

    Table 3: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway            $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway              $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                     $52,337.0     $52,337.0
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $52,337.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                    $44,622.0     $44,622.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $44,622.0
    projects
    Completed gate              $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate                $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                          $730.0        $730.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                          $730.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal            $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                      $611.0        $611.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                      $611.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0          $0.0     $98,300.0     $98,300.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Atlanta airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, no air carriers have identified Atlanta's
               airport for A380 service. Airport officials do not expect A380
               service until after 2010.

               o  Atlanta's cost estimates include planned runway construction to
               widen shoulders and blast pads, and relocation of lighting and
               signage to comply with Engineering Brief 65 guidance. Existing
               runways are 150 feet wide. Construction is not expected to begin
               before A380 certification later this year. As a result, airport
               officials noted that they may change projects to comply with
               whatever standards FAA applies to the A380. Atlanta's cost
               estimate for taxiways includes construction to widening shoulders
               on their 75-foot-wide taxiways and change taxiway lighting,
               signage, and markings to meet Engineering Brief 63 guidance. The
               cost estimated for gate projects assumed that gate and terminal
               modifications would be undertaken to add passenger boarding
               bridges at two gates.

               o  Atlanta has not submitted any requests for Modifications of
               Standards, as of March 1, 2006.

               o  Airport officials estimated that projects would be funded from
               Airport Improvement Program funds (about 75 percent), passenger
               facility charges (about 5 percent), and general airport revenue
               bonds based on the projected revenues of airlines (about 20
               percent). Airport officials noted that these A380-related projects
               must compete with other higher priority airport projects.

    Table 4: Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway            $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway              $0.0      $9,056.0                    $9,056.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                     $25,612.0     $25,612.0
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $34,668.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway             $0.0     $11,258.0                   $11,258.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                    $18,511.0     $18,511.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $29,769.0
    projects
    Completed gate              $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate                $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                          $500.0        $500.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                          $500.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal            $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                        $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                        $0.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0     $20,314.0     $44,623.0     $64,937.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Chicago airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, one air carrier has identified O'Hare for
               A380 service which is expected to begin in the summer of 2008. FAA
               recently approved O'Hare's major modernization program with
               200-foot-wide runways and some 100-foot-wide taxiways to meet
               Design Group VI standards by 2013.

               o  O'Hare's estimate includes both short term and long term costs.
               In the short term, through 2008, O'Hare estimated the cost of
               making changes to two existing runways and one taxiway that would
               meet either Design Group VI or Engineering Briefs 65 and 63
               standards. However, airport officials said that, should FAA
               approve the use of these existing runways and taxiways without any
               changes, their estimated costs could be reduced by about $31
               million. In estimating the longer-term costs associated with their
               modernization plan through 2013, O'Hare officials calculated the
               incremental cost of building two new 200-foot-wide runways and two
               new 100-foot-wide taxiways to Design Group VI standards and the
               lesser cost of building them to Design Group V requirements. The
               gate cost includes the expense of converting an unused gate in the
               international terminal to allow it to provide a second jetway
               access to an A380. Only lower-deck access is anticipated at this
               time.

               o  Airport officials said they will apply for Modifications of
               Standards to allow use of existing infrastructure in the short
               term, with only minimal changes being made to runways and
               taxiways. They would take mitigating operational actions to
               provide an equivalent level of safety for the A380 and other
               aircraft.

               o  Airport officials identified 51 percent of costs as being
               financed through airport bonds, 34 percent through Airport
               Improvement Program funds, and 13 percent through passenger
               facility charges.

    Table 5: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                            $4,525.0      $4,525.0
    Total runway
    projects                                                          $4,525.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                            $1,600.0      $1,600.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                                          $1,600.0
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                            $1,745.0      $1,745.0
    Total gate
    projects                                                          $1,745.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0          $0.0      $7,870.0      $7,870.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Dallas/Fort Worth airport officials provided the following information
    regarding A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, no air carriers had identified Dallas/Fort
               Worth for A380 service. However, airport officials told us that
               they expect A380 service in the future. In addition, they said
               that to remain competitive with other airports and attract air
               carriers, they need to be ready for the A380.

               o  Airport estimates assumed that runway construction will be
               needed to widen shoulders and blast pads to comply with Design
               Group VI standards. Existing runways are 200 feet wide. In
               addition, they estimated costs associated with construction that
               would widen the taxiway shoulders 15 feet to comply with Design
               Group VI requirements. Existing taxiways are 100 feet wide. The
               costs of three gates that will accommodate the A380 in the new
               international terminal were not included in the airport estimates.
               In addition, the estimates did not include the cost of additional
               aircraft rescue and fire-fighting equipment that the airport may
               need to purchase to better respond to incidents involving the
               A380. Airport officials noted that construction will not begin on
               these projects before A380 certification in late 2006. As a
               result, the airport may change projects to comply with whatever
               runway and taxiway standards FAA applies to the A380.

               o  The airport does not plan to apply for any Modification of
               Standards for A380 operations.

               o  All construction would be funded by passenger facility charges.

    Table 6: Denver International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects               $18,207.0                                 $18,207.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total runway
    projects                                                         $18,207.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects       $18,318.0                                 $18,318.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                            $9,000.0      $9,000.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                                         $27,318.0
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                            $4,800.0      $4,800.0
    Total gate
    projects                                                          $4,800.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                            $4,100.0      $4,100.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                                          $4,100.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Total airport          $36,525.0          $0.0     $17,900.0     $54,425.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Denver airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  One air carrier has indicated that it may begin A380 service at
               some time in the future. Airport officials said they believed that
               other carriers would eventually bring Design Group VI aircraft to
               this airport in its role as a major U.S. hub, especially if other
               large airports were only able to provide limited facilities to
               accommodate them.

               o  In estimating costs, airport officials included some of the
               costs of constructing one 200-foot-wide runway and two taxiways to
               meet Design Group VI standards. These projects were completed in
               2003. The airport included the incremental cost to upgrade the new
               runway from Design Group V standards to Design Group VI standards.
               Planned construction includes bringing one taxiway into compliance
               with Engineering Brief 63 requirements and modifying two gates to
               receive the A380. Airport officials also plan to expand the
               customs and immigration areas. Costs do not include additional
               aircraft rescue and fire-fighting equipment that the airport may
               need to purchase to better respond to incidents involving the
               A380.

               o  The airport has submitted a Modification of Standards to FAA to
               operate the A380 on taxiways that comply with Engineering Brief
               63.

               o  Runway and taxiway construction have been (and will be) paid
               for from Airport Improvement Program funds and airport bonds.
               Customs and Immigration facility expansion will be funded from
               airport bonds.

    Table 7: Indianapolis International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs
    as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of      Cost of       Costs of         Total
                              completed      ongoing        planned     estimated
    Project type            projects     projects       projects         costs
    Completed runway            $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway              $0.0         $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                     $13,434.3     $13,434.3
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $13,434.3
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway             $0.0         $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                    $16,409.6     $16,409.6
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $16,409.6
    projects
    Completed gate              $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate                $0.0         $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                            $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                            $0.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal            $0.0         $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                        $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                        $0.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support             $0.0         $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0         $0.0      $29,844.0     $29,844.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Indianapolis airport officials provided the following information
    regarding A380-related infrastructure projects:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, no air carriers have identified this
               airport for A380 service. However, airport officials indicated
               that Federal Express plans to begin A380 flights after 2010. The
               airport could also serve as an alternate airport for A380s
               carrying either passengers or freight.

               o  Airport estimates assumed that because existing runways are 150
               feet wide, one runway would be widened to 200 feet to comply with
               Engineering Brief 65-adding 40-foot erosion control shoulders, and
               moving the runway edge lighting to the edge of the new shoulders.
               Similarly, the airport assumed that they would widen taxiway
               shoulders for one designated taxiway route to the new Midfield
               Terminal and Federal Express apron to comply with Engineering
               Brief 63 requirements. The new Midfield Terminal will include one
               gate that can serve an A380, but is designed for regular use by
               other aircraft; there are no terminal costs directly attributable
               to accommodating the A380. Airport officials said that
               construction timing is not definite, but will occur after A380
               certification in 2006. As a result, the airport may change
               projects to comply with whatever runway and taxiway standards FAA
               applies to the A380, which could affect the cost of the projects.

               o  The airport has requested a Modification of Standards, to allow
               the A380 to operate on a runway width of 150 feet.

               o  Airport officials did not identify funding sources for these
               projects but indicated that funding would not come from the
               Airport Improvement Program or passenger facility charges.

    Table 8: Los Angeles International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs
    as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                            $3,120.0      $3,120.0
    Total runway
    projects                                                          $3,120.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects        $9,099.0                                  $9,099.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                           $34,999.0     $34,999.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                                         $44,098.0
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                  $383.0      $3,351.0                    $3,734.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                            $7,474.0      $7,474.0
    Total gate
    projects                                                         $11,208.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                  $290.0      $6,900.0                    $7,190.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                           $20,200.0     $20,200.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                                         $27,390.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Total airport           $9,772.0     $10,251.0     $65,793.0     $85,816.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Los Angeles airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, several air carriers identified this
               airport for A380 service beginning in early 2007. Airport
               officials said that this airport would be the first in the U.S. to
               begin A380 service, and that it had to be ready to maintain its
               competitive position with other airports.

               o  Airport estimates assumed that construction was needed to
               strengthen and widen taxiway intersections, bridges and tunnels to
               comply with Engineering Brief 63 requirements. Taxiway
               construction began in 2005 to widen and strengthen intersections
               where the A380 could turn. Additional taxiway and runway work to
               strengthen bridges and tunnels was also planned. Airport estimates
               also included construction on four terminal gates and four remote
               gates. Terminal construction for the gate areas is expected to be
               complete in 2006. The costs do not include the relocation of a
               200-foot-wide runway 55 feet further away from another runway that
               officials said was to reduce runway incursions rather than to
               accommodate the A380.

               o  FAA approved Modifications of Standards that would allow the
               airport to operate the A380 on taxiways that met Engineering Brief
               63. An existing runway is 200 feet wide and will be moved and
               built to comply with Design Group VI standards.

               o  About half of the construction would be paid for with Airport
               Improvement Program funds, passenger facility charges, and airport
               revenue. Funding for about 46 percent of costs was not identified.

    Table 9: Louisville International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs
    as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway            $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway              $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                     $11,000.0     $11,000.0
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $11,000.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                    $15,000.0     $15,000.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $15,000.0
    projects
    Completed gate              $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate                $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                            $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                            $0.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal            $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                        $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                        $0.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0          $0.0     $26,000.0     $26,000.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Louisville airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  Airport officials expect A380 freight service sometime in 2009.
               UPS, which has contracted for 10 A380s, has announced plans to use
               Louisville for their A380 operations. No passenger carriers have
               identified this airport for A380 service, as of March 1, 2006.

               o  Airport officials' cost estimate assumed that runway
               construction will be needed to widen the pavement on one runway to
               200 feet and expand shoulders to comply with Design Group VI
               standards. In addition, the estimate assumes that the airport
               builds a new taxiway parallel to the A380 runway. This taxiway
               would be 100 feet wide and have 550 feet of separation from the
               A380 runway. Airport officials noted that these plans and
               estimates could change based on pending results of an operational
               planning study of the airfield. Construction of the parallel
               taxiway could be underway as early as the fall of 2006; however,
               the proposed runway widening project would come after A380
               certification (expected in late 2006), providing the airport with
               the opportunity to change projects' priority to comply with
               whatever runway and taxiway standards FAA applies to the A380.

               o  Louisville has not requested any Modifications of Standards for
               A380 operations, as of March 1, 2006.

               o  Airport officials said that construction would be funded by
               Airport Improvement Program funds (95 percent) and airport
               revenues (5 percent). It should be noted that Louisville was
               identified as a medium-hub airport for federal fiscal year 2005,
               and was downgraded to a small-hub airport for federal fiscal year
               2006. Current plans anticipate a 95/5 share on Airport Improvement
               Program funds, but it is possible for Louisville to return to a
               75/25 rate in future years.

    Table 10: Memphis International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as
    of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                           $24,000.0     $24,000.0
    Total runway
    projects                                                         $24,000.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects        $9,965.0                                  $9,965.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                $8,180.0          $0.0                    $8,180.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                            $6,000.0      $6,000.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                                         $24,145.0
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total gate
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Total airport          $18,145.0          $0.0     $30,000.0     $48,145.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Memphis airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure projects:

               o  Airport officials expect the airport to serve as a cargo A380
               flight destination for Federal Express beginning in 2008. Federal
               Express, which is headquartered in Memphis, has purchased 10 A380F
               freight aircraft and expects to use the Memphis airport for A380
               service.

               o  Memphis plans to widen runway shoulders and modify lighting and
               markers on two runways for A380 service to meet Engineering Brief
               65 requirements. Construction is expected to be accomplished in
               2007. Taxiway improvements include widening certain taxiway
               shoulders to meet Engineering Brief 63 requirements. Other costs
               cited by Memphis airport officials include the difference between
               what it would have cost to build a 75-foot-wide taxiway and the
               100-foot-wide taxiways that were built. Construction began in 2000
               and will be competed in 2007. These costs do not include Federal
               Express costs for construction of cargo areas and aprons.

               o  Airport officials requested five Modifications of Standards and
               FAA approved four. The modification that was not approved
               requested approval to operate the A380 on their existing
               150-foot-wide runways. As a result, their estimate includes costs
               associated with meeting the Engineering Brief 65 requirements.

               o  The airport plans to fund about 75 percent of its construction
               projects through Airport Improvement Program funds and 25 percent
               through airport bonds.

    Table 11: Miami International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway            $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway              $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                     $33,511.0     $33,511.0
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $33,511.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                    $13,812.0     $13,812.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $13,812.0
    projects
    Completed gate              $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate                $0.0     $11,502.0                   $11,502.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                        $4,000.0      $4,000.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                       $15,502.0
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal            $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                        $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                        $0.0
    projects
    Completed              $34,641.0                                 $34,641.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                    $34,641.0
    projects
    Total airport          $34,641.0     $11,502.0     $51,323.0     $97,466.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Miami airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure projects:

               o  Airport officials expect to receive A380 passenger flights
               initially from three air carriers from 2008 through 2010.

               o  Miami airport officials' estimate included plans to widen
               runway pavement and shoulders and modify lighting, signage, and
               markers on two runways to meet Engineering Brief 65 requirements
               for the A380. Officials assumed that they would need to make
               taxiway improvements by adding shoulder pavement, and modifying
               signage, lighting, and markings. The estimate also assumed
               modifications would be made for A380 parking at three terminal
               gates and two hard-stand parking positions. Construction is
               expected to begin after A380 certification later this year and, as
               a result, airport officials noted that the airport may change
               projects to comply with whatever runway and taxiway standards FAA
               applies to the A380. According to airport officials, Engineering
               Brief 63 and 65 have been approved by the FAA on an interim 5-year
               (evaluation) basis. However, they said that implementing
               Engineering Brief 65 and Engineering Brief 63 (and their
               associated high costs) is an unwarranted risk due to the interim
               nature of the approval and the low level of expected A380
               operations at the airport.

               o  Airport officials have requested 32 Modifications of Standards
               of which FAA has approved 26. Those projects not approved involved
               runway pavement and shoulder width, runway blast-pad width, and
               taxiway-to-vehicle service road separation.

               o  The airport estimated that it would pay about 75 percent of its
               construction projects from Airport Improvement Program funds, 12.5
               percent from airport revenue, and 12.5 percent from Florida
               Department of Transportation matching funds.

    Table 12: New York John F. Kennedy International Airport's Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                               Cost of       Cost of       Cost of          Total
                             completed       ongoing       planned      estimated
    Project type           projects      projects      projects          costs
    Completed runway      $19,600.0                                  $19,600.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway             $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                    $28,340.0      $28,340.0
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $47,940.0
    projects
    Completed              $3,800.0                                   $3,800.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway            $0.0     $72,200.0                    $72,200.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                   $16,800.0      $16,800.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $92,800.0
    projects
    Completed gate             $0.0                                       $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate               $0.0     $10,300.0                    $10,300.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                           $0.0           $0.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                       $10,300.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal           $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                       $0.0           $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                        $0.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support            $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                        $0.0           $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport         $23,400.0     $82,500.0     $45,140.0     $151,040.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    New York airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  Airport officials expect A380 service to begin in early 2007
               because this airport has more foreign-carrier traffic than
               domestic. To maintain their market position, officials said that
               they had to prepare for the A380 and other large aircraft. Six
               carriers that purchased the A380 could begin service at the
               airport.

               o  The cost estimates were based on the assumption that major
               reconstruction was necessary for runways, taxiways, and some gate
               projects. Some of the runway projects were completed in 2002, but
               other work is scheduled to continue until 2013. One of the ongoing
               projects is widening a 150-foot runway to 200 feet. It is
               scheduled for completion in 2008. One of the planned projects is
               to widen another 150-foot runway to 200 feet. This project is part
               of a 2012 rehabilitation project. Another major ongoing project is
               to increase separation on a heavily used taxiway that circles the
               terminals. In the gate area, changes include an apron extension,
               jetways, and fuel hydrant projects.

               o  FAA approved a Modification of Standards for taxiways meeting
               Engineering Brief 63 requirements.

               o  Most of the construction funds (86 percent) came from passenger
               facility charges. The remainder, about 13 percent, came from
               Airport Improvement Program grants.

    Table 13: Ontario International Airport's (Ontario, California) Estimated
    A380-Related Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                  $3,600      $3,816.6                    $7,416.6
    Planned runway
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total runway
    projects                                                          $7,416.6
    Completed
    taxiway projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total gate
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                                              $0.0
    Total airport           $3,600.0      $3,816.6          $0.0      $7,416.6

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Ontario airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure projects:

               o  Airport officials expect A380 freight service to begin in 2009
               or later. UPS, which has contracted for 10 A380F aircraft, uses
               this airport for many of its flights to Asia. In addition,
               officials expect that there may be an A380 alternate for the Los
               Angeles Airport, if an A380 were unable to land there.

               o  In estimating costs, airport officials assumed that the A380
               flights would use a runway that is currently being reconstructed.
               When construction is complete later in 2006, this runway will be
               150 feet wide with 65-foot-wide structural shoulders that will
               comply with Engineering Brief 65. However, because the runway
               reconstruction was necessary to continue using it for any flights,
               the estimated costs include only the incremental costs of runway
               construction specifically for the A380. For example, construction
               of fillets and a fast-exit taxiway are included in the runway
               costs. The airport did not include the cost of additional aircraft
               rescue and fire-fighting equipment that the airport may need to
               purchase to better respond to incidents involving the A380. The
               estimate also does not include the costs that UPS will incur for a
               taxiway extension and apron for a new UPS facility.

               o  The airport requested Modifications of Standards from Design
               Group VI standards for runways and taxiways, seeking FAA approval
               to use a runway built to Engineering Brief 65 and use of existing
               taxiways.

               o  Airport officials identified funding sources as 75 percent from
               the Airport Improvement Program with the matching 25 percent from
               sources other than passenger facility charges, airport revenue, or
               bonds.

    Table 14: Orlando International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as
    of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                               Cost of       Cost of        Cost of         Total
                             completed       ongoing        planned     estimated
    Project type           projects      projects       projects         costs
    Completed runway           $0.0                                       $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway             $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                     $15,832.0     $15,832.0
    projects
    Total runway                                                     $15,832.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway            $0.0      $6,700.0                     $6,700.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                    $40,600.0     $40,600.0
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                    $47,300.0
    projects
    Completed gate             $0.0                                       $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate               $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                        $3,000.0      $3,000.0
    projects
    Total gate                                                        $3,000.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal           $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                        $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total terminal                                                        $0.0
    projects
    Completed                  $0.0                                       $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support            $0.0          $0.0                         $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport              $0.0      $6,700.0      $59,432.0     $66,132.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Orlando airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure projects:

               o  Virgin Atlantic Airlines has indicated they plan to introduce
               service at Orlando in 2009; however, no firm date has been set.
               Airport officials plan to be ready to accommodate the A380 by
               completing work that will accommodate the A380 on the West
               Airfield by 2008. They noted that because the airport is the
               fourth busiest origin and destination hub in the U.S.-and one of
               only four airports on the East Coast designated to receive the
               A380-it is an attractive destination for international A380
               traffic.

               o  Orlando's total estimate is based on long-term facilities
               needed to accommodate the A380. However, only first-phase work
               will be done to the West Airfield because runways and some
               taxiways already meet FAA Design Group VI standards. The cost of
               phase one development is about $35.3 million. Phase Two work to
               the East Airfield will be developed as demand increases and after
               FAA makes a final decision on interim standards included in
               Engineering Briefs 63 and 65. The estimated cost of Phase Two is
               $30.6 million. West Airfield development includes widening runway
               and taxiway shoulders; adding fillets; and modifying lighting,
               signage, and markers. The cost estimate also included A380 parking
               at two terminal gates. They estimated that Phase One would be
               completed in the 2007 time period, and the Phase Two projects are
               expected to be underway by 2015.
               o  FAA has approved the two Modifications of Standards requested
               by the Orlando airport.
               o  Airport officials did not provide specific funding sources for
               construction projects but these would include Airport Improvement
               Program grants, passenger facility charges, and state grants.

    Table 15: Philadelphia International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway            $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing runway              $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned runway                                      $2,991.2      $2,991.2
    projects
    Total runway                                                      $2,991.2
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    taxiway projects
    Ongoing taxiway             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned taxiway                                     $4,859.9      $4,859.9
    projects
    Total taxiway                                                     $4,859.9
    projects
    Completed gate              $0.0                                      $0.0
    projects
    Ongoing gate                $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned gate                                          $770.5        $770.5
    projects
    Total gate                                                          $770.5
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    terminal
    projects
    Ongoing terminal            $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned terminal                                    $3,529.4      $3,529.4
    projects
    Total terminal                                                    $3,529.4
    projects
    Completed                   $0.0                                      $0.0
    support projects
    Ongoing support             $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    projects
    Planned support                                         $0.0          $0.0
    projects
    Total support                                                         $0.0
    projects
    Total airport               $0.0          $0.0     $12,150.9     $12,150.9

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Philadelphia airport officials provided the following information
    regarding A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  As of March 1, 2006, no air carriers had identified
               Philadelphia International Airport for A380 service. However,
               airport officials are planning for potential future cargo demand.
               In addition, the airport may serve as an alternate airport for
               A380 passenger aircraft and could have the potential to serve
               international passenger traffic.

               o  The estimate assumes that the airport would widen shoulders and
               blast pads on one existing 200-foot-wide runway to comply with
               Design Group VI standards. In addition, the estimate provides for
               construction to taxiways that the A380 would use to comply with
               Design Group VI requirements. Airport officials also assumed that
               they would improve two existing gates and add boarding bridges to
               service the A380's upper deck and improve passenger hold areas,
               baggage processing, and ticketing to handle two A380s at once.
               Airport officials noted that the timing of these projects is
               currently uncertain. The airport is now focused on expanding
               airfield capacity for smaller planes. The A380 projects would not
               begin until the current building program is complete. For example,
               the planned taxiway projects are estimated to begin in 2011.

               o  Philadelphia has not requested a Modification of Standards for
               its A380 plans, as of March 1, 2006.

               o  Airport officials said that construction would be funded by a
               combination of Airport Improvement Program funds (48.5 percent),
               passenger facility charges (35.4 percent), bonds (8.1 percent),
               and other grants (8.1 percent).

    Table 16: San Francisco International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                                       Cost of  Cost of     Total
                                                       ongoing  planned estimated
    Project type        Cost of completed projects projects projects     costs
    Completed runway
    projects                              $3,500.0                    $3,500.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                                  $0.0     $0.0               $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                                $2,000.0  $2,000.0
    Total runway
    projects                                       $5,500.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects                        $850.0                      $850.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                                  $0.0 $3,200.0           $3,200.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                                $4,000.0  $4,000.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                       $8,050.0
    Completed gate
    projects                                  $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                                  $0.0 $6,250.0           $6,250.0
    Planned gate     Airport Changes for Receiving
    projects                              the A380          $1,100.0  $1,100.0
    Total gate
    projects                                       $7,350.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                                  $0.0                        $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                                  $0.0     $0.0               $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                    $0.0      $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                           $0.0
    Completed
    support projects                          $0.0                        $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                               $500.00           $500.00
    Planned support
    projects                                                    $0.0      $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                         $500.0
    Total airport                         $4,350.0 $9,950.0 $7,100.0 $21,400.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    San Francisco airport officials provided the following information
    regarding A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  San Francisco airport officials expect A380 service in early
               2007. As of March 1, 2006, airport officials had identified six
               air carriers that might operate A380 aircraft at this airport. The
               airport has four runways that are 200 feet wide but only two can
               be used for A380 departures. The third can be used for landings.
               Airport officials said they had to make changes to accept the A380
               or they would have lost traffic to other airports.

               o  The airport assumed A380 service would begin soon after the
               aircraft was certified and has modified the shoulders, lighting,
               and markings on two of its four 200-foot-wide runways to Design
               Group VI for A380 service, completing construction on the first
               runway in 2003 and the second in 2004. Changes in shoulders,
               lighting, and markings are also planned for a third Design Group
               VI runway, which is planned to be completed in 2008. Taxiway
               construction, consisting of widening shoulders and moving lights,
               was completed in 2004 and 2005 in compliance with Engineering
               Brief 63. Ongoing taxiway projects will be completed in 2006 and
               2007. Two gates will be modified in 2006 to provide one upper and
               one lower jet bridge. A third jet bridge for one of the gates
               could be added.

               o  FAA approved a Modification of Standards for the A380 to
               operate on taxiways that comply with Engineering Brief 63
               requirements.

               o  Runway, taxiway, and gate construction has been-and is planned
               to be-paid for from Airport Improvement Program funds with airport
               revenue used for the matching share.

    Table 17: Tampa International Airport's Estimated A380-Related Costs as of
    March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total runway
    projects                                  $0.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                                  $0.0
    Completed gate
    projects                  $100.0                                    $100.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                            $2,200.0      $2,200.0
    Total gate
    projects                              $2,300.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                  $0.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                  $0.0
    Total airport             $100.0          $0.0      $2,200.0      $2,300.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Tampa airport officials provided the following information regarding
    A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  Airport officials do not expect scheduled A380 service in the
               near term at Tampa, but expect their airport will serve as an
               alternate airport for A380s flying to Miami and Orlando.

               o  Tampa's estimate assumed that construction will not be
               necessary on the existing 150-foot-wide runways or 75-foot-wide
               taxiways. The cost for serving A380s consists of special fuel pits
               required for the aircraft and two upper-deck boarding bridges
               planned for a potential future North Terminal. In addition, at the
               current terminal, the airport plans to use three existing gates
               that can now serve A380s with dual lower-deck boarding bridges.

               o  Airport officials expect to apply for a Modification of
               Standards to serve as an alternate A380 airport.

               o  Airport officials said the recently-built A380 fuel pit at
               Airside C Terminal was funded by passenger facility charges.
               Airport officials did not provide data on how A380 projects would
               be funded at the potential future North Terminal.

    Table 18: Washington Dulles International Airport's Estimated A380-Related
    Costs as of March 1, 2006

    (Dollars in
    thousands)
                                Cost of       Cost of       Cost of         Total
                              completed       ongoing       planned     estimated
    Project type            projects      projects      projects         costs
    Completed runway
    projects                  $500.0                                    $500.0
    Ongoing runway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned runway
    projects                                            $1,595.0      $1,595.0
    Total runway
    projects                              $2,095.0
    Completed
    taxiway projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing taxiway
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned taxiway
    projects                                            $3,206.0      $3,206.0
    Total taxiway
    projects                              $3,206.0
    Completed gate
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing gate
    projects                    $0.0      $5,600.0                    $5,600.0
    Planned gate
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total gate
    projects                              $5,600.0
    Completed
    terminal
    projects                    $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing terminal
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned terminal
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total terminal
    projects                                  $0.0
    Completed
    support projects            $0.0                                      $0.0
    Ongoing support
    projects                    $0.0          $0.0                        $0.0
    Planned support
    projects                                                $0.0          $0.0
    Total support
    projects                                  $0.0
    Total airport             $500.0      $5,600.0      $4,801.0     $10,901.0

    Source: GAO analysis of costs reported by the airport.

    Washington Dulles airport officials provided the following information
    regarding A380-related infrastructure project costs:

               o  Washington Dulles airport officials expect to receive A380
               passenger flights initially from three air carriers from 2007
               through 2009. They identified a possible fourth passenger airline
               and potential cargo flights that could also service the airport in
               the future.

               o  After contracting an airfield study for the A380, airport
               officials have elected to use one of three scenarios that would
               involve making some changes in runways, taxiways, and gates. The
               airport's estimate assumed that it would need to modify lighting
               and signage on one runway. The estimates do not include all costs
               necessary to bring the runways to Engineering Brief 65 or Design
               Group VI standards. Airport officials noted that if FAA does not
               approve their approach and requires them to meet the standards of
               Engineering Brief 65, costs could rise. The estimate also assumed
               that the airport would need to make minor modifications to
               taxiways' shoulders and lighting, which are expected to be
               completed in 2006. Further, the estimate assumed that they would
               make changes for A380 parking at two terminal gates.

               o  Washington Dulles airport has not submitted any requests for
               Modification of Standards for A380 operations as of March 1, 2006.
               However, airport officials plan to submit a request for
               Modification of Standards to FAA in the near future.

               o  All construction would be funded through airport bonds.

    Appendix IV: Status of Modifications of Standards
    Requested by Airports to Accommodate the A380

    Table 19: Status of A380-Related Modifications of Standards Requests (as
    of March 1, 2006)

    Airports          Request description         FAA decision
    Anchorage
                         1. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway  following conditions:
                         R. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI           o  FAA recommended future
                         taxiway object-free area of    investigation of
                         193 feet between taxiway       relocating the vehicle
                         connectors Q and T. The        service road located in
                         current separation equals      the 174-foot section to a
                         174 feet.                      193-foot distance.
                                                        o  A reconstructed
                                                        Taxiway R must be built
                                                        to Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the vehicle service road
                                                        along Taxiway R.
                         2. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding Runway 14/32
                         centerline to Parallel         o  Must post taxiway
                         Taxiway Y centerline           signage to indicate
                         separation for A380 taxiing    restricted taxiing
                         when any aircraft is on        section.
                         approach.                      o  The runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        the designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway or parallel
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.

                                                     Imposed taxiing
                                                     restrictions.
    Dallas/Fort Worth
                         1. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on          Group VI standards require
                         200-foot-wide Runway        40-foot shoulders on each
                         18L/36R. The runway does    side of the runway.
                         not meet Design Group VI
                         shoulder widths of 40 feet
                         on each side. Proposed
                         using the existing 25-foot
                         shoulders.
                         2. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on          Group VI standards require
                         100-foot-wide Taxiway F.    40-foot shoulders on each
                         The taxiway does not meet   side of the taxiway.
                         Design Group VI shoulder
                         widths of 40 feet on each
                         side. Proposed using
                         existing 25-foot shoulders.
                         3. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on Runway   Group VI standards require a
                         18L/36R using the existing  400-foot length and a
                         runway blast pads on the    280-foot width.
                         runway ends.
    Denver
                         1. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on existing
                         75-foot-wide Taxiways AN,
                         B4, and F. The taxiways do
                         not meet Design Group VI
                         overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet. Proposed
                         modifying tangent sections
                         of the 35-foot-wide
                         shoulders according to
                         Engineering Brief 63.
                         2. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway
                         AN. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI
                         taxiway centerline to fixed
                         or moveable object
                         separation distance of 193
                         feet. Proposed using the
                         taxiway with a 167-foot
                         separation.
                         3. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway
                         B4. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI
                         taxiway centerline to fixed
                         or moveable object
                         separation distance of 193
                         feet. Proposed using the
                         taxiway with a 165-foot
                         separation.
                         4. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway
                         BS. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI
                         taxiway centerline to
                         taxiway centerline
                         separation of 324 feet.
                         Proposed using the taxiway
                         with a 267-foot separation
                         while under temporary
                         operating restrictions.
    Indianapolis
                         1. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on
                         150-foot-wide Runways
                         5L/23R and 5R/23L that do
                         not meet Design Group VI
                         overall runway and shoulder
                         width of 280 feet.
    John F. Kennedy
    (NY)
                         1. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on a        under the condition that
                         75-foot-wide taxiway. The   modifications are made to
                         taxiway does not meet       adhere to guidance of
                         Design Group VI overall     Engineering Brief 63.
                         taxiway pavement width of
                         180 feet. Proposed using
                         the taxiway with expanded
                         shoulders.
                         2. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Parallel following conditions:
                         Taxiways A and B, and P and
                         Q. The taxiways do not meet    o  FAA required Taxiway A
                         Design Group VI taxiway        to be moved 16 feet
                         centerline to taxiway          towards parallel Taxiway
                         centerline separation of       B.
                         324 feet. Proposed using       o  Taxiway edge
                         the parallel taxiways with     delineators reduced to 75
                         284-foot separations.          feet.
                                                        o  Must meet taxiway
                                                        centerline lighting
                                                        spacing requirement.
                                                        o  Must post signage for
                                                        hold position for A380
                                                        bridge crossing and for
                                                        possible jet blast from
                                                        A380 on bridges.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing
                                                        prohibited on Taxiways B
                                                        and Q.
                                                        o  Simultaneous taxiing
                                                        operations restricted on
                                                        parallel taxiways with
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        and must maintain a
                                                        47-foot wingtip
                                                        separation.
                                                        o  No simultaneous
                                                        aircraft operations on
                                                        bridges when an A380
                                                        crosses either bridge.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         3. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway  following conditions:
                         A. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI           o  FAA recommended
                         taxiway centerline to fixed    investigating the
                         or moveable object             possibility of relocating
                         separation distance of 193     the restricted vehicle
                         feet. Proposed using           service road away from
                         taxiways with 146-foot         Taxiway A.
                         separations.                   o  FAA required Taxiway A
                                                        to be moved 16 feet
                                                        towards parallel Taxiway
                                                        B.
                                                        o  Must meet taxiway
                                                        centerline lighting
                                                        spacing requirement.
                                                        o  Taxiway edge
                                                        delineators reduced to 75
                                                        feet.
                                                        o  Must post signage of
                                                        possible jet blast from
                                                        an A380 on bridges.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Taxiway Q closed for
                                                        all A380 operations.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the restricted vehicle
                                                        service road.
                         4. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding the runway
                         centerline to parallel         o  Must post taxiway
                         taxiway centerline             signage to indicate
                         separation for A380 taxiing    restricted taxiing
                         when any aircraft is on        section.
                         approach.                      o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         5. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on
                         150-foot-wide Runway 4L/22R
                         that does not meet Design
                         Group VI overall runway and
                         shoulder width of 280 feet.
    Los Angeles
                         1. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on a        following conditions:
                         taxiway that does not meet
                         Design Group VI taxiway        o  FAA recommended future
                         centerline to fixed or         investigation of
                         moveable object separation     relocating or narrowing
                         distance of 193 feet.          vehicle service road.
                         Proposed using the taxiway     o  Required modification
                         with a 146.5-foot              of several taxiways.
                         separation.                    o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Allowed 146.5-foot
                                                        separation from vehicle
                                                        service road.
                                                        o  Required a 167-foot
                                                        minimum separation from
                                                        buildings on A380 taxiing
                                                        routes.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the vehicle service road.
                                                        o  A380 operations
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway Q
                                                        and highly restricted on
                                                        Taxilane L.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Recommended change in
                                                        proposed A380 taxiing
                                                        routes that cross active
                                                        runways to reduce runway
                                                        incursions.
                                                        o  Must ensure hold lines
                                                        to designated arrival and
                                                        departure runways in
                                                        place.
                         2. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding the parallel
                         taxiway centerline to          o  Construction of new
                         taxiway centerline             taxiways must be built to
                         separation.                    Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway Q.
                         3. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on a        under the condition that
                         75-foot-wide taxiway that   modifications adhere to
                         does not meet Design Group  guidance of Engineering
                         VI overall taxiway pavement Brief 63.
                         width of 180 feet.
                         4. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding the runway
                         centerline to parallel         o  Runways 7L/25R and
                         taxiway centerline             6R/24L would not be used
                         separation for A380 taxiing    for A380 operations.
                         when any aircraft is on        o  Must post taxiway
                         approach.                      signage to indicate
                                                        restricted taxiing
                                                        section.
                                                        o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway/parallel taxiways
                                                        must be built to Design
                                                        Group VI standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         5. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on a        under the condition that
                         150-foot-wide runway that   modifications adhere to
                         does not meet Design Group  guidance of Engineering
                         VI runway width of 200      Brief 65.
                         feet.
    Memphis
                         1. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on a        under the condition that
                         75-foot-wide taxiway. The   modifications adhere to
                         taxiway does not meet       guidance of Engineering
                         Design Group VI overall     Brief 63.
                         taxiway pavement width of
                         180 feet. Proposed
                         expanding the shoulders.
                         2. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway  following conditions:
                         A. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI           o  FAA recommended future
                         taxiway object free area of    investigation of
                         193 feet due to the            relocating or narrowing
                         adjacent vehicle service       vehicle service road.
                         road located 163 feet from     o  Construction of new
                         it.                            taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Allowed 163-foot
                                                        separation from vehicle
                                                        service road.
                                                        o  Required a 167-foot
                                                        minimum separation from
                                                        buildings on A380 taxiing
                                                        routes.
                                                        o  All other A380 taxiing
                                                        routes must maintain
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        separation.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the vehicle service road.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         3. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on taxiway  following conditions:
                         sections that do not meet
                         Design Group VI taxiway        o  FAA required
                         edge safety margin.            implementation of A380
                                                        Inspection and
                                                        Maintenance Plan for
                                                        those taxiway sections.
                                                        o  Use of dual taxiway
                                                        centerline markings not
                                                        approved.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways for Design Group
                                                        VI aircraft operations
                                                        must be built to Design
                                                        Group VI standards.
                         4. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         A380 runway operating plan  following conditions:
                         regarding the runway
                         centerline to parallel         o  Parallel Runway
                         taxiway centerline             18R/36L would not be used
                         separation for A380 taxiing    for A380 operations.
                         when any aircraft is on        o  Must post taxiway
                         approach.                      signage to indicate
                                                        restricted taxiing
                                                        section.
                                                        o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380F weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway and parallel
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         5. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on a        Group VI standards require
                         150-foot-wide runway. The   40-foot shoulders on each
                         runway does not meet Design side of the runway and a
                         Group VI runway width of    280-foot width.
                         200 feet. Proposed using
                         the runway with                o  Modifications must
                         adaptations.                   adhere to guidance under
                                                        Engineering Brief 65.
    Miami
                         1. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on          Group VI standards require
                         150-foot-wide Runway 9/27   40-foot shoulders on each
                         that does not meet Design   side of the runway.
                         Group VI runway width of
                         200 feet.                      o  Modifications must
                                                        adhere to guidance under
                                                        Engineering Brief 65.
                         2. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on          Group VI standards require
                         200-foot-wide Runway 9/27.  40-foot shoulders on each
                         The runway does not meet    side of the runway.
                         Design Group VI shoulder
                         width of 40 feet on each       o  Modifications must
                         side. Proposed using the       adhere to guidance under
                         existing 25-foot shoulders.    Engineering Brief 65.
                         3. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 on          Group VI standards require
                         200-foot-wide Runway        40-foot shoulders on each
                         8R/26L. The runway does not side of the runway.
                         meet Design Group VI
                         shoulder width of 40 feet      o  Modifications must
                         on each side. Proposed         adhere to guidance under
                         using the existing 35-foot     Engineering Brief 65.
                         shoulders.
                         4. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 using       Group VI standards require a
                         existing 250-foot-wide      400-foot length and a
                         Runway 9/27 blast pads on   280-foot width.
                         one of the runway ends.
                         5. Requested approval to    Disapproved: FAA Design
                         operate an A380 using       Group VI standards require a
                         existing 270-foot-wide      400-foot length and a
                         Runway 8R/26L blast pads on 280-foot width.
                         one of the runway ends.
                         6. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiway S that adhere to guidance of
                         does not meet Design Group  Engineering Brief 63.
                         VI overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet.             o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                         7. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiway P that adhere to guidance of
                         does not meet Design Group  Engineering Brief 63.
                         VI overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet.             o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  The service road
                                                        tunnel under the taxiway
                                                        must also support A380
                                                        weight loads or be
                                                        rerouted to other
                                                        taxiways.
                         8. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiway N that adhere to guidance of
                         does not meet Design Group  Engineering Brief 63.
                         VI overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet.             o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                         9. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiway Z that adhere to guidance of
                         does not meet Design Group  Engineering Brief 63.
                         VI overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet.             o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                         10. Requested approval to   Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiway JJ     adhere to guidance of
                         that does not meet Design   Engineering Brief 63.
                         Group VI overall taxiway
                         pavement width of 180 feet.    o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                         11. Requested approval to   Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiway K that adhere to guidance of
                         does not meet Design Group  Engineering Brief 63.
                         VI overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet.             o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                         12. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on existing following conditions:
                         taxiway connectors and
                         fillets on Taxiway S that      o  If repeated excursions
                         do not meet Design Group VI    occur on existing
                         safety margin of 20 feet.      fillets, fillets must be
                                                        retrofitted to Design
                                                        Group VI standards and
                                                        any damaged taxiway
                                                        shoulders corrected after
                                                        each excursion.
                                                        o  Reconstruction of new
                                                        taxiway connectors must
                                                        be built to Design Group
                                                        VI standards.
                                                        o  Must inform air
                                                        traffic control of
                                                        substandard connectors
                                                        and A380 pilots to apply
                                                        oversteer.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         13. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on existing following conditions:
                         taxiway connectors and
                         fillets on Taxiways S and T    o  If repeated excursions
                         that do not meet Design        occur on existing
                         Group VI safety margin of      fillets, fillets must be
                         20 feet.                       retrofitted to Design
                                                        Group VI standards and
                                                        any damaged taxiway
                                                        shoulders corrected.
                                                        o  Taxiway safety edge
                                                        margins must be
                                                        increased.
                                                        o  Reconstruction of new
                                                        taxiway connectors must
                                                        be built to Design Group
                                                        VI standards.
                                                        o  Must inform air
                                                        traffic control of
                                                        substandard connectors
                                                        and A380 pilots to apply
                                                        oversteer.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         14. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on existing following conditions:
                         taxiway connectors and
                         fillets on Taxiway N that      o  If repeated excursions
                         do not meet Design Group VI    occur on existing
                         safety margin of 20 feet.      fillets, fillets must be
                                                        retrofitted to Design
                                                        Group VI standards and
                                                        any damaged taxiway
                                                        shoulders corrected.
                                                        o  Reconstruction of new
                                                        taxiway connectors must
                                                        be built to Design Group
                                                        VI standards.
                                                        o  Must inform air
                                                        traffic control of
                                                        substandard connectors
                                                        and A380 pilots to apply
                                                        oversteer.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Taxiway safety edge
                                                        margins must be
                                                        increased.
                         15. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on existing following conditions:
                         taxiway connectors and
                         fillets on Taxiways Y and Z    o  If repeated excursions
                         that do not meet Design        occur on existing
                         Group VI safety margin of      fillets, fillets must be
                         20 feet.                       retrofitted to Design
                                                        Group VI standards and
                                                        any damaged taxiway
                                                        shoulders corrected.
                                                        o  Reconstruction of new
                                                        taxiway connectors must
                                                        be built to Design Group
                                                        VI standards.
                                                        o  Must inform air
                                                        traffic control of
                                                        substandard connectors
                                                        and A380 pilots to apply
                                                        oversteer.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         16. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on existing following conditions:
                         taxiway connectors and
                         fillets on Taxiway K7 that     o  If repeated excursions
                         do not meet Design Group VI    occur on existing
                         safety margin of 20 feet.      fillets, fillets must be
                                                        retrofitted to Design
                                                        Group VI standards and
                                                        any damaged taxiway
                                                        shoulders corrected.
                                                        o  Taxiway safety edge
                                                        margins must be
                                                        increased.
                                                        o  Reconstruction of new
                                                        taxiway connectors must
                                                        be built to Design Group
                                                        VI standards.
                                                        o  Must inform air
                                                        traffic control of
                                                        substandard connectors
                                                        and A380 pilots to apply
                                                        oversteer.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         17. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding Runway 9/27
                         centerline to parallel         o  Must post taxiway
                         Taxiway Q centerline           signage to indicate
                         separation for A380 taxiing    restricted taxiing
                         when any aircraft is on        section.
                         approach.                      o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway and parallel
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         18. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding Runway 9/27
                         centerline to parallel         o  Must post taxiway
                         Taxiway T centerline           signage to indicate
                         separation for A380 taxiing    restricted taxiing
                         when any aircraft is on        section.
                         approach.                      o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway and parallel
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                                                        o  Must implement special
                                                        hold line procedure for
                                                        A380.
                                                        o  Restricted use on
                                                        Taxiway T for Design
                                                        Group V aircraft while
                                                        A380 uses Runway 9/27.
                         19. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding Runway
                         8R/26L centerline to           o  Must post taxiway
                         parallel Taxiway M             signage to indicate
                         centerline separation for      restricted taxiing
                         A380 taxiing when any          section.
                         aircraft is on approach.       o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway and parallel
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         20. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         A380 runway operating plan  following conditions:
                         regarding Runway 8R/26L
                         centerline to parallel         o  Must post taxiway
                         Taxiway L centerline           signage to indicate
                         separation for A380 taxiing    restricted taxiing
                         when any aircraft is on        section.
                         approach.                      o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway/parallel taxiways
                                                        must be built to Design
                                                        Group VI standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         21. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         A380 runway operating plan  following conditions:
                         regarding Runway 8L/26R
                         centerline to parallel         o  Must post taxiway
                         Taxiway K centerline           signage to indicate
                         separation for A380 taxiing    restricted taxiing
                         when any aircraft is on        section.
                         approach.                      o  Runway and taxiway
                                                        bridges and culverts on
                                                        designated A380 route
                                                        must support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway/parallel taxiways
                                                        must be built to Design
                                                        Group VI standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                                                        o  Must implement special
                                                        hold line procedure for
                                                        A380.
                         22. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         Q centerline to Taxiway P      o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        237-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway P and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway Q.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         23. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         A380 operating plan         following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         S centerline to Taxiway T      o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        300-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway S and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway T.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         24. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         Q centerline to Taxiway P      o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        300-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway P and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway Q.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         25. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         M centerline to Taxiway N      o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        300-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway N and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway M.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         26. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         N centerline to Taxilane       o  Construction of new
                         MD11 centerline separation.    taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        245-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway N and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway
                                                        MD11.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         27. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         Y centerline to Taxiway HH     o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        300-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway Y and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway HH.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         28. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         Y centerline to Taxiway W      o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        300-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway Y and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway W.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         29. Requested approval for  Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding parallel Taxiway
                         JJ centerline to Taxiway HH    o  Construction of new
                         centerline separation.         taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft
                                                        to maintain existing
                                                        300-foot separation.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway JJ and
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway HH.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Required a 167-foot
                                                        minimum separation from
                                                        building area to Taxiway
                                                        JJ.
                         30. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway  following conditions:
                         S. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI           o  FAA recommended future
                         taxiway centerline to fixed    investigation of
                         or moveable object             relocating vehicle
                         separation distance of 193     service road.
                         feet. Proposed using the       o  Reconstruction of
                         taxiway with a 170-foot        Taxiway S must be built
                         separation.                    to Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Allowed 170-foot
                                                        separation from vehicle
                                                        service road.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the vehicle service road.
                         31. Requested approval to   Disapproved
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway
                         P. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI
                         taxiway centerline to fixed
                         or moveable object
                         separation distance of 193
                         feet. Proposed using the
                         taxiway with a 137-foot
                         separation.
                         32. Requested approval to   Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Taxiway  following conditions:
                         K. The taxiway does not
                         meet Design Group VI           o  FAA recommended future
                         taxiway centerline to fixed    investigation of
                         or moveable object             relocating the vehicle
                         separation distance of 193     service road.
                         feet. Proposed using the       o  Reconstruction of
                         taxiway with a 160-foot        Taxiway K must be built
                         separation.                    to Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Allowed 160-foot
                                                        separation from vehicle
                                                        service road.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the vehicle service road.
    Ontario
                         1. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on Taxiways
                         N and S. The taxiways do
                         not meet Design Group VI
                         taxiway centerline to fixed
                         or moveable object
                         separation distance of 193
                         feet. Proposed using the
                         taxiways with 160-foot
                         separation.
                         2. Requested approval for   Pending
                         an A380 runway operating
                         plan regarding Runway
                         8L/26R centerline to
                         Parallel Taxiway N
                         centerline separation and
                         Runway 8R/26L centerline to
                         Parallel Taxiway S
                         centerline separation.
                         3. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on
                         150-foot-wide Runway 8L/26R
                         with modified 65-foot
                         shoulders that would meet
                         Design Group VI overall
                         runway pavement width of
                         280 feet.
                         4. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on
                         150-foot-wide Runway 8R/26L
                         with 50-foot shoulders that
                         does not meet Design Group
                         VI overall runway pavement
                         width of 280 feet.
                         5. Requested approval to    Pending
                         operate an A380 on
                         75-foot-wide Taxiways N, S,
                         W, B, U, R, and D with
                         52.5-foot shoulders that
                         would meet Design Group VI
                         overall taxiway pavement
                         width of 180 feet.
    Orlando
                         1. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on Parallel following conditions:
                         Taxiways E and F. The
                         taxiways do not meet Design    o  FAA required ramp
                         Group VI taxiway centerline    taxiways and taxilanes at
                         to taxiway centerline          Airside Terminal Four and
                         separation of 324 feet.        at future South Terminal
                         Proposed using the taxiways    must be in accordance to
                         with a 300-foot separation.    Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Taxiing speed
                                                        restricted on A380 when
                                                        any aircraft smaller than
                                                        an A380 is taxiing on a
                                                        parallel taxiway.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing limited
                                                        to Taxiway F and not on
                                                        Taxiway E.
                                                        o  Air traffic control
                                                        must implement A380
                                                        operational plan to limit
                                                        A380 to those runways and
                                                        taxiways.
                         2. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition to
                         75-foot-wide Taxiways B,    adhere to guidance of
                         B1, B10, and C. The         Engineering Brief 63.
                         taxiways do not meet Design
                         Group VI total taxiway         o  Taxiway F bridge must
                         pavement widths of 180         support A380 weight
                         feet. Proposed expanding       loads.
                         the shoulders on the           o  Taxiway fillet designs
                         taxiways.                      must be in accordance
                                                        with Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Any underground
                                                        structures and utilities,
                                                        taxiway culverts, and
                                                        taxiway bridges must
                                                        support A380 weight
                                                        loads.
                                                        o  Taxiways E, J, Y, and
                                                        Z and shoulders must be
                                                        reconstructed to Design
                                                        Group VI standards.
    San Francisco
                         1. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         an A380 runway operating    following conditions:
                         plan regarding the runway
                         centerline to parallel         o  Runways 1L/19R and
                         taxiway centerline             10R/28L would not be used
                         separation for A380 taxiing    for A380 operations.
                         when any aircraft is on        o  Must post taxiway
                         approach.                      signage to indicate
                                                        restricted taxiing
                                                        section.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        runway/parallel taxiways
                                                        must be built to Design
                                                        Group VI standards.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions.
                         2. Requested approval to    Approved on interim basis
                         operate an A380 on          under the condition that
                         75-foot-wide taxiways that  modifications adhere to
                         do not meet Design Group VI guidance of Engineering
                         overall taxiway pavement    Brief 63.
                         width of 180 feet.
                         3. Requested approval for   Approved based on the
                         an A380 operating plan      following conditions:
                         regarding the parallel
                         taxiway centerline to          o  Construction of new
                         taxiway centerline             taxiways must be built to
                         separation.                    Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  Required Taxiway A to
                                                        be moved 13.5 feet and
                                                        relocate the vehicle
                                                        service road 10 feet
                                                        towards the boarding
                                                        area.
                                                        o  Required Taxiway M to
                                                        be moved 42.5 feet and
                                                        relocate the vehicle
                                                        service road 54.5 feet
                                                        towards the Remote
                                                        Aircraft Parking area.
                                                        o  Imposed taxiing
                                                        restrictions with taxiing
                                                        A380 and other aircraft.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing
                                                        prohibited on Taxiway A.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                         4. Requested approval to    Approved based on the
                         operate an A380 on taxiway  following conditions:
                         that does not meet Design
                         Group VI taxiway centerline    o  Allowed 146.5-foot
                         to fixed or moveable object    separation from vehicle
                         separation distance of 193     service road.
                         feet. Proposed using the       o  FAA recommended future
                         taxiway with a 146.5-foot      investigation of
                         separation.                    relocating vehicle
                                                        service road.
                                                        o  Construction of new
                                                        taxiways must be built to
                                                        Design Group VI
                                                        standards.
                                                        o  A380 taxiing speed
                                                        restricted to a maximum
                                                        of 15 miles per hour.
                                                        o  Imposed a maximum
                                                        height restriction of 14
                                                        feet on vehicles using
                                                        the vehicle service road.
                                                        o  Must ensure hold lines
                                                        to designated arrival and
                                                        departure runways are in
                                                        place.
                                                        o  Required a section of
                                                        the vehicle service road
                                                        next to Taxiway C moved
                                                        11.5 feet to achieve
                                                        146.5-foot separation.
                                                        o  Imposed a 400-foot
                                                        clearance on vehicles
                                                        using vehicle service
                                                        road during A380 taxiing.
                                                        o  Required vehicle
                                                        service road to be
                                                        realigned 60.5 feet to
                                                        maintain the 146.5-foot
                                                        separation.

    Source: GAO summary of information provided by airports and FAA.

    Note: FAA decided to remove the 15-mile-per-hour taxiing speed restriction
    for the A380 that was imposed under the conditions of Engineering Brief
    63. The decision will be effective in May 2006.

    $0.0

    Appendix V: Comments by Airbus Appendix V: Comments by Airbus

    Appendix VI: A Appendix VI: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments

                                      GAO Contact

    Gerald Dillingham, Ph.D., (202) 512-2834

                                 Staff Acknowledgments

    In addition to the person named above, Glen Trochelman, Assistant
    Director; Carolyn Boyce, Richard Calhoon, Nikki Clowers, Vashun Cole,
    Colin Fallon, and Frank Taliaferro made key contributions to this report.

    (540103)

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    Highlights of GAO-06-571, a report to Chairman, Subcommittee on Aviation,
    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

    May 2006

    COMMERCIAL AVIATION

    Costs and Major Factors Influencing Infrastructure Changes at U.S.
    Airports to Accommodate the New A380 Aircraft

    Airbus S.A.S (Airbus), a European aircraft manufacturer, introduced a new
    aircraft, the A380 that will be the largest passenger aircraft in the
    world with expected delivery to its first customers in late 2006. The A380
    has a double deck and is expected to seat between 555 and 853 passengers.
    The A380 is much larger than its competitors with a wingspan of 262 feet,
    a tail fin about 80 feet high, and a maximum takeoff weight of over 1.2
    million pounds. A freight version of the A380 is scheduled for delivery in
    2008.

    Because of the size of the A380, U.S. airports have to make changes to
    accommodate the aircraft. This may include widening runways and taxiways,
    or restructuring gate areas to accommodate the additional passengers. This
    report examines (1) the costs and nature of the changes U.S. airports are
    making to their infrastructure to accommodate the A380, (2) the funding
    sources being used to finance these changes, and (3) the major factors
    influencing the changes being made.

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Airbus provided technical
    comments on the report. Airbus also commented on the 18 airports' cost
    estimates of the changes being made for the A380 and estimated $720
    million for these changes. Based on the costs airports reported initially
    and our subsequent reconfirmation efforts, we did not change the cost
    estimates provided by the airports.

    The 18 U.S. airports that GAOidentified as making changes to accommodate
    the Airbus A380 estimated that they would spend about $927 million in
    completed, ongoing, or planned infrastructure projects. About 83 percent
    of the costs reported were identified for runway or taxiway projects. The
    remaining costs were for changes at gates, terminals, or support services.
    Some airports noted that if FAA changed the current runway requirements
    for accommodating the A380, their plans and estimates would change. For
    example, if FAA allows the aircraft to operate on 150-foot-wide runways
    under certain conditions, this would reduce costs at most airports.
    However, if FAA decided that more stringent standards should apply, at
    least half of the airports could face costs in excess of those reported.

    Airport officials reported using several sources to finance the
    infrastructure changes. About 50 percent of the costs would be financed
    though federal grants under the Airport Improvement Program, they said.
    Passenger facility charges were identified as the source of financing for
    about 21 percent of the costs, with 29 percent from airport revenues,
    bonds, and other sources.

    FAA's design standards and market considerations have been two major
    factors influencing the A380 changes at airports. For example, airports
    generally based their plans and estimates on either FAA standards that
    require 200-foot-wide runways and 100-foot-wide taxiways for this size
    aircraft or FAA's interim guidance. The guidance allows the conversion of
    existing 150-foot-wide runways to 200 feet by adding 25 feet of reduced
    strength pavement to each side and extending the shoulders and allows use
    of 75-foot taxiways by widening shoulders and adding center lights.
    Airports are also making changes based on the market they serve. For
    example, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco are major gateway
    airports that had little choice but to make changes to receive the A380 if
    they were to maintain their competitive status. Other airports have been
    approached with plans for future A380 passenger or freight service and
    weighed the costs of making infrastructure changes against the potential
    impact on their business. Still others have not been approached for A380
    service but are making changes to accommodate it so that they can market
    their availability for this aircraft and potentially increase their
    international market presence.

    The Airbus A380 in Flight
    *** End of document. ***