Larger Plane Needed FAA Approval For Operations At Liberty International

It didn't quite require an act of Congress, but Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ, did need a waiver from the FAA to allow Boeing's new 747-8 to operate from its runways.

The new, larger version of the 747 was certified by the FAA this week. It is 13 feet wider and 18 feet longer than the -400 version of the airplane, placing it in the Airplane Design Group VI category. For planes that size, airports need a 200 foot wide runway, 324 feet of space between runway and taxiway centerlines, and 100 foot wide taxiways. Newark Liberty did not meet those requirements.

Travel Agent Central reports that the waiver granted by the FAA for the 747-8 restricts taxi speeds to 20 miles per hour, and means it is unable to use certain taxiways at the north and south ends of the airport. The airport was also cautioned about jet blast as the stretch jumbo moves around other planes, vehicles, and people.

And Newark isn't alone. The FAA has reportedly issued waivers to 19 other airports to allow 747-8 operations.

FMI: www.faa.gov