OREANDA-NEWS. June 20, 2012. Moscow Domodedovo Airport has presented an updated fleet of apron vehicles for ground handling of aircraft to about 40 representatives of the media and the blogosphere. Participants of the press tour had an opportunity to evaluate the benefits of the newest tow-in tractors and towbars, catering uplifts, de-icing units and ramp buses. Most of the presented vehicles have no analogues in Russia. This is due to the fact that the airport is the first in the country, which was prepared to accept on a regular basis the largest commercial aircraft in the world - Airbus A380, as well as it was the first airport, which has already begun to serve another novelty in the world of the aviation industry - Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

‘Today the total fleet of apron vehicles of Domodedovo Airport is nearly 3,000 units, - said Elena Selyanchenkova, press office chief of Moscow Domodedovo Airport. - Since January 2012, the airport has replenished its fleet with 39 units of new vehicles.’

The greatest interest was the operational demonstration of the catering uplift Malaghan CT8000, purchased specifically for the delivery of catering into A380, and the de-icer Elephant Beta-15 DeIcer, the boom of which can reach up to 23 m. Representatives of media and bloggers had a unique opportunity to go up on the platform of the uplift to 8.4 m height, commensurate with the level of the upper deck of the giant A380.

The attention of the press tour participants was attracted by the entirely new model of the ramp bus Neoplan VISEON 9122L, which can carry almost 20% more passengers than the previous models. The “smart bus” is equipped with a unique door opening system, which allows the driver to control the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers without involvement of additional staff. All the driver needs to do this is to hold his hand at the touch screen, set outside, near the door. The system will not shut the door, while any interference is on the way of the sensor reader, as well it will block the movement of the bus, if at least one door is open or not closed completely.

Live interest was drawn to demonstration of technical capabilities of the most powerful tractor SCHOPF F396, the only car which can move a 590-ton A380. The tractor can turn 360 degrees, almost standing on the same place - this is due the cross and parallel installation of all wheels.

Caring about the environment, Domodedovo Airport has purchased the apron vehicles that meet the "green" standards. Engines of the purchased tractors and motor uplifts are eco ones. Their eco class is not less than Euro-4. Self-propelled passenger steps TLD GSE, in contrast to classical ones, move not on diesel, but on electric traction. In line with global eco-trends, the exhaust system of busses Neoplan VISEON 9122L was equipped with a shutter that automatically drives the flow of exhaust fumes away from the opened door. This allows passengers to feel comfortable when entering and leaving the bus.

The final chord of the press tour was the demonstration of a two-storey boarding bridge with three walkways, which is the only boarding bridge in Russia designed to accept A380 on a regular basis. When the glass boarding bridge was delivered unassembled to the airport at the end of April 2012, journalists and bloggers covered the giant cargo transportation. Six weeks later, the airport demonstrated the boarding bridge once again, now completely ready to meet A380s.