Bangkok--13 Sep--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Airports around the world will be processing far fewer passengers on A380 services than originally expected, with another carrier, Singapore Airlines (SIA), revealing a generous initial seating plan. SIA will configure its A380s with 471 seats — 21 more than Qantas, but 18 fewer than Emirates’ long-haul configuration. (Emirates will also have two-class, 644-seat “high density” and 514-seat medium density layouts). SIA is also looking to take advantage of the “rarity” factor of having A380s well before its competitors, promoting the aircraft's deployment on its regular SQ220/221 service to Sydney. Ticket sales should be brisk. The A380, under Airbus’ original 555-seat specification (on which massive airport upgrade projects around the world were based), offered 33% more seats than a typical three-class B747-400 layout. The manufacturer has since reduced its specification to 525 seats — or a 26% increase over the standard B747-400 layout. However, A380 customers to date, on average, are configuring their long-haul layouts with just 503 seats — a 20% increase on a B747-400. BAA alone has invested over USD900 million upgrading facilities at London Heathrow to handle A380s, including the new Pier 6 at Terminal 3. In a report last year, the US Government Accountability Office found 18 major US airports estimated that they would invest USD927 million in infrastructure projects to handle A380s. About 83% of the costs reported were identified for runway or taxiway projects, with the remainder for changes at gates, terminals, or support services. Lower initial A380 seating numbers has implications for airport passenger charges and fewer passengers could impact airport duty free/retail/F&B sales. Airports around the world may have to wait longer for returns on upgrade investments, as well as the promised congestion reductions until higher capacity A380 versions enter service.Note to editors:About Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) was founded in 1990 and has since built an international reputation as the leading specialist aviation consultancy in the Asia Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East regions. CAPA Consulting’s strategic advisory services are supported by the extensive information and data services provided by the Centre’s Market Research Unit to aviation industry leaders every day. The Centre also holds regular Aviation Leadership Summits, which provide unique opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. Head Office, Sydney: Derek Sadubin, Chief Operating Officer Aurora Place, Level 4, 88 Phillip St Sydney PO Box N777, Grosvenor Place Sydney, NSW Australia 2000 Email: [email protected] Southeast Asia Regional Office: Richard Pinkham, Regional Director, Southeast Asia Email: [email protected] Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Office: Kapil Kaul, CEO Indian Subcontinent & Middle East Email: [email protected] UK/Europe Office: David Bentley, UK Associate Email: [email protected] North America Regional Office: Martti Raito, Regional Director, North America Email: [email protected] North Asia Representatives: Korea: Kyung-sup Lee. Email: [email protected] Japan: Reiko Sonoyama. Email: [email protected] More information is available on the Centre’s website: www.centreforaviation.com