BAA HEATHROW this week starts the ”100m redevelopment of a Terminal 3 pier, the biggest single project at the airport to prepare for the arrival of the Airbus A380 'super jumbo' in Spring 2006. Terminal 3's Pier 6 will serve passengers on the first A380s operating at Heathrow. Due for completion in December 2005, the major project involves demolition of the existing Pier 6 and its redevelopment on a new alignment to allow for the A380s massive wingspan. The new Pier 6 will be 280 metres long, 20 metres wide, and stand three storeys high. Four aircraft stands will be created along the face of the pier ” capable of serving the future generation of aircraft including the A380 and A340-600. The stands will have double jetty operations ” for the first time enabling passengers to disembark from both upper and main aircraft levels. Travelators along the new pier will bring passengers to the main terminal building and an extended baggage reclaim hall. Two of the pier's stands will provide the option of accommodating larger aircraft such as the A380, or two medium sized aircraft such as the Airbus A320. Redevelopment of Pier 6 is the largest construction project currently underway at Heathrow outside the Terminal 5 site.
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