Preparing for the big one
With the arrival of the first Lufthansa A380 in May, Lufthansa Systems has been busy completing the necessary preparations.

In actual fact, many of its IT solutions were already in use during test and route proving flights some years ago.

Check-in and boarding for an A380 flight requires a sophisticated IT solution. As the A380 has two decks, gate staff must be able to switch between the seat maps for both decks. Lufthansa Systems has adapted its solution, which includes the boarding module that covers boarding from different levels, in order to save precious ground time.

Another important part of flight preparations is load planning. Ensuring the aircraft’s centre of gravity is within certain limits is critical for safety. By optimising Lufthansa Systems’ proven load planning solution (NetLine/ Load), less aerodynamic drag and a cut in fuel consumption by up to 0.5% are achievable. The software has been updated to the specifics of the A380 which, for example, is the first aircraft to accommodate three rows of containers in its belly. Additionally, the number of passengers and bags, payload, maximum take-off weight and other parameters exceed the limitations of the load planning solution.

When it comes to flight planning, it must be taken into account that because of its size and the need for specially trained airport staff, the A380 can only land at certain airports. This affects flight dispatch as it limits potential alternative airports en route. Beyond this information, data regarding aircraft performance and fuel consumption had to be included in the central Lufthansa Systems aeronautical database. In fact, Lufthansa Systems is routinely optimising A380 flights for customers using Lido/ Flight. The performance data is necessary to calculate the optimal power setting for every take-off, which serves to save fuel and extend the periods between engine overhaul.