The UK’s Heathrow Airport has unveiled a new, €7.6m multi-aircraft ramp stand (MARS), featuring a fixed link to handle the growing number of A380 aircraft.

Built by Vinci Construction UK, stand construction began in March 2013. It also included the upgrade and reconfiguration of an additional A340 stand to expand the overall A380 capacity.

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"This project was delivered under budget and ahead of schedule."

An existing single fixed link was also demolished as a part of the contract, which also included the construction of a new dual-corridor fixed link, spanning and cantilevering over the airport’s stand roads.

The current expansion will help the new fleet of Airbus A380 to park and taxi from the stand, as well as offer flexibility for two additional smaller aircrafts to be sited at any time.

Speaking about the addition to Airport World, Heathrow Airport Limited representative Carl Ainley said: "Through an excellent collaborative approach with Vinci Construction UK’s project designers, supply chain, and client stakeholders, this project was delivered under budget and ahead of schedule."

The project team also had to install a diversion to the fire main, form a double-width fixed link and three aircraft passenger boarding bridges to accommodate larger aircraft and comply with the MARS safety standards.

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