A380 set to come in 2013
By A.B. Snedeker

Starting early next year, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, will serve Hartsfield-Jackson.

Korean Air plans to begin using the aircraft on its daily service between Atlanta and Seoul (Incheon), South Korea, as early as January 2013.

“It makes sense that the world’s largest passenger aircraft should have service to and from the world’s busiest airport,” said Aviation General Manager Louis Miller. “A380 service will enhance Atlanta’s reputation as a world-class city and gateway to the United States.”

The Airport has several projects under way to prepare for the behemoth aircraft’s arrival.

Sections of taxiways and a runway are being widened to accommodate the A380. When this work is completed, the airfield will meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for handling A380 operations. Two adjacent gates on Concourse E (E1 and E3) are being modified to simultaneously serve the double-decker aircraft.

Each of Korean Air’s A380-800s seats more than 400 passengers. The aircraft is 238.5 feet long and has a wingspan of 262 feet. Click here to see high-definition video of the A380.