Mica throws latest spanner in Airbus' works

The Airbus A380, long hailed as the "next generation" of air travel, has been hit by news that a prominent U.S. congressman is opposing the use of federal funds to modify airport facilities needed to accommodate the new plane.

Republican John Mica, the chairman of the House of Representatives' aviation subcommittee, says that the airlines that operate the new superjumbo should be the ones to foot the bill for the cost of rebuilding gates to cope with the larger aircraft.

"Until a U.S. airline chooses to acquire and operate the passenger version of the A380, foreign airlines that operate A380 passenger service to and from the United States should pay for any needed infrastructure improvements at the airports they serve," the Floridian representative said.

Mica's argument is disputed by aviation experts, however, who say that the same runway and taxiway improvements and refits to gates will also be needed for the new Boeing 747-800, which has a similar wingspan to the A380 and will be operated by some U.S. carriers.

The result of having federal funding for the project revoked could mean that airlines that will operate the new A380 on routes to and from the U.S. could look to recoup the losses through higher ticket prices or some kind of surcharge.

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