ATLANTA, Feb. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starting early next year, passengers will be able to travel from Atlanta to Seoul (Incheon), South Korea, aboard the world's largest passenger aircraft.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials announced today that Korean Air has scheduled the Airbus A380 for its daily service between Atlanta and Seoul. The service is slated to begin 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.
Korean Air flies to more than 50 destinations — including destinations in China, Japan and Southeast Asia — from its hub in Seoul (Incheon).
Each of Korean Air's A380-800s seats 407 passengers (12 first class, 94 prestige class and 301 economy class). Korean Air is introducing in-flight cocktail lounges and duty-free shops in the aircraft.
The A380, which entered commercial service in 2007, is 238.5 feet long and has a wingspan of 262 feet. Click here to see high-definition video of the A380.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport, serving more than 92 million passengers annually with nonstop service to more than 150 U.S. destinations and nearly 80 international destinations in more than 50 countries. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, architectural engineering and construction ─ including the 2011 Global and North American Airport Efficiency Excellence Award from the Air Transport Research Society (for more information, go to www.atrsworld.org). It is undergoing $6 billion-plus in capital improvements, which include a new, energy-efficient rental car center; a new, 12-gate international terminal; and aesthetic and functional upgrades to its concourses, people movers and parking services. For more information, go to www.atlanta-airport.com. Check out the Airport's YouTube channel by visiting www.youtube.com/AtlantaHartsfield, and become a fan on Facebook.
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