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

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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 [email protected] . 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. ***