Airbus A380 Turbulence Still an Issue

Sales of the giant Airbus A380 airliner may suffer as airlines contemplate its effect on schedules and operating procedures.

Of particular concern is the turbulence churned up by the 500-ton, two-story, aircraft.

The International Civil Aviation Organization will require any jet landing after an A380 to stay at least 10 miles behind it, instead of the usual 5, and for planes flying directly behind an A380 at cruising altitude, the recommended minimum spacing has been tripled to 15 nautical miles. Also, controller organizations say they may need as long as nine months preparation time to phase in new standards.

Airbus has been pitching its $300 million, 550-seat super jumbo as a seamless fit with existing air-traffic protocols.

U.S. and European government officials recently met in Montreal to haggle over permanent safeguards to ensure that turbulence created by the A380 won’t affect airplanes during takeoff, cruising and landing. The meeting didn’t reach any final resolutions to such questions.