NEW YORK- An Emirates (EK) Airbus A380, registered as A6-EDN, landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York, from Dubai (DXB). The aircraft touched down on Runway 31R, and the pilot got confused with the taxiway instructions.
ATC instructed the flight crew to taxi via taxiway Victor-Uniform (VU) and then make a right turn onto taxiway Alpha. Despite these clear instructions, the crew mistakenly turned left onto Alpha instead.
Emirates Airbus A380 | Photo: Clément AlloingEmirates A380 Wrong Turn at JFK
Realising their mistake, the crew requested permission to backtrack and correctly take the right turn via taxiway Victor-Alpha (VA).
The air traffic controller denied this request, instructing the aircraft to hold its current position. This denial stemmed from two critical factors: a taxiway closure ahead of their position and the need to avoid occupying taxiways adjacent to active runways during arrivals at the busy JFK airport.
Photo- AIP FAA After waiting for a gap in arrivals that never materialised, controllers finally instructed the Emirates A380 to proceed onto taxiway VA.
This presented another significant problem, as the crew discovered VA was classified as a “red taxiway” not rated to support the weight of an Airbus A380 – the world’s heaviest passenger aircraft. The aircraft could not safely proceed onto this taxiway due to these weight restrictions.
Flight EK69 required a tow tug to help push the aircraft back to a position where it could safely taxi to its designated gate.
This complicated manoeuvre added substantial time to the ground operation. From touchdown to gate arrival, the process took approximately 90 minutes – far longer than a typical arrival procedure.
Photo: MCO AirportSimilar Incident
This was not the first time an A380 had encountered taxiing difficulties at a major airport. On October 18, 2024, British Airways (BA) flight 213 from London (LHR) to Boston (BOS), also operated by an A380, made a wrong turn while taxiing.
Despite air traffic control instructions and a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) indicating taxiway N was partially closed, the aircraft proceeded down taxiway N.
It crossed an unauthorised runway and encountered construction areas, forcing it to stop. The aircraft remained stationary for over 45 minutes until airport operations brought in a tug to reposition it. In total, passengers on that flight experienced more than an hour’s delay before reaching their gate.
British Airways A380 Stuck After Taking Wrong Turn on Taxiway at Boston
How Airports Change to Welcome the Giant A380
The A380: A Truly Massive Aircraft
The Airbus A380 is an extremely large aeroplane with impressive measurements:
- Length: 72.72 meters (238 feet 7 inches)
- Wingspan: 79.75 meters (261 feet 8 inches)
- Height: 24.09 meters (79 feet)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 575,000 kg (1.27 million pounds)
- Fuel capacity: 323,546 litres (85,472 gallons)
- Takeoff distance needed: 3,000 meters (9,800 feet)
ANA Airbus A380 | Photo: Clément AlloingKey Airport Changes Required
Stronger and Wider Runways
Airports need runways at least 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) long for the A380 to take off safely. These runways must be strengthened to handle the aeroplane’s enormous weight of 1.2 million pounds. Taxiways must be at least 60 meters (197 feet) wide to fit the A380’s huge wingspan. Turns on taxiways need a special design so the aeroplanes’ wheels stay on the pavement when turning.
Bigger Parking Areas
Airports need larger parking spaces for the A380 with:
- Extra room for the plane to move around and park
- Special gates with two boarding bridges (one for each deck)
- Stronger pavement at gates to support the heavy aircraft
Expanded Terminals
With the A380 able to carry over 800 passengers, airports need:
- Larger waiting areas for passengers
- Boarding bridges for both the upper and lower decks
- More immigration and customs counters to process the large number of arriving passengers
Photo: AirbusSpecial Air Traffic Control Rules
Air traffic controllers need special procedures for the A380:
- Greater spacing between the A380 and the following aircraft due to strong wake turbulence
- Special taxiways and waiting areas to prevent traffic jams on the ground
Upgraded Maintenance Facilities
Airports serving the A380 require:
- Larger hangars to fit the aeroplane’s massive size
- Stronger support equipment that can reach the tall aircraft
- Special tools designed for A380 maintenance
Enhanced Fueling and Baggage Systems
To handle the A380’s requirements:
- Faster fuel pumps to fill the enormous 320,000-litre (84,500-gallon) fuel tanks
- Expanded baggage systems to handle luggage from up to 800 passengers
Improved Safety Equipment
Airports need upgraded emergency response capabilities:
- Larger firefighting vehicles with greater reach
- Expanded emergency evacuation areas
- Special training for handling emergencies on such a large aircraft
Photo: By Mitchul Hope – Etihad Airways | A6-APB | Airbus A380-861 | London Heathrow Airport; Wikimedia CommonsBottom Line
These incidents highlight the unique challenges of operating the Airbus A380 at airports with complex taxiway systems.
The aircraft’s exceptional size and weight require special consideration for ground operations, and even minor navigation errors can result in significant delays for passengers. Airport authorities continue to work on optimising procedures for handling these superjumbo jets at busy international hubs.
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