OREANDA-NEWS. December 13, 2012. Moscow Domodedovo airport (DME) starts first in Russia servicing regular flights of airliner Airbus A380. DME accommodated the world’s largest passenger airliner. Russia’s first ever regular flight of Airbus A380 is launched by Emirates airline, the flights will be performed on the Moscow – Dubai – Moscow route on a daily basis.

The first arrival of ultramodern A380 for regular flights to Moscow is an important event for Russian civil aviation. Mr. Richard Jewsbury, senior vice-president of Emirates airline in Europe and Russian Federation arrived to Domodedovo for an official press-conference, the executive officer of Airbus delegation in Russia, Mr. Sergey Nedbaylo and director of Moscow Domodedovo airport Mr. Igor Borisov also presented.

“Airbus A380 took its first flight to Russia in 2009, landing at Moscow Domodedovo airport, - Igor Borisov reminded, opening this festive event. - Today, three years later, Domodedovo again sets the scene for a significant event in Russia’s civil aviation. It validates Domodedovo’s position among world’s most modern airports.”

Airliner is distinct in its stately proportions, it imposes requirements to the airport ground equipment and fly grounds characteristics.

Domodedovo technical basis – taxiways, runway and aircraft handling equipment – fully meet all international requirements for this type of aircraft. Moscow Domodedovo airport purchased all the necessary equipment for Airbus A380 ground servicing, including two-level boarding bridge Apron Drive, capable to dock to the tree doors (one on the upper deck and two on the lower deck). Currently this is the only operating two-level boarding bridge in Russia.

During regular flights from Moscow Domodedovo airport, the Airbus A380 will offer passengers the unprecedented comfort level. The newest in-flight entertainment network, wireless internet, rest area with bar and even shower spa – all these items and many others are disposed aboard of the world’s largest airliner, exceeding the height of 8-storied building.

Flight Dubai – Moscow (EK 131) arrives to Domodedovo airport at 23:05, departures from Dubai at 17:50. Flyback Moscow – Dubai (EK 132) departures at 01:05, arrives to Dubai at 06:20. Flight time is about 5 hours.

The exploitation of new airliner en-route Moscow – Dubai increases seating capacity on Emirates flights on this direction from DME up to 775 seatings every day.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport is the largest airport of Russia in terms of passenger traffic. In 2011, total passenger traffic of the airport amounted to 25,7 million people which let Domodedovo to become the first Russian airport to join the category of the largest airports in Europe due to Airports Council International (ACI) classification. Moscow Domodedovo Airport is the base airport in Russia for member airlines of two largest global airline alliances – oneworld and Star Alliance. For the third year in a row, Moscow Domodedovo Airport was on top of the list of the best airports in Eastern Europe in terms of the service quality, according to the annual survey by the independent research company Skytrax Research (UK).