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Shannon received a visit today from Dubai registered Bombardier Challenger 605 msn 5739. The aircraft was registered as A6-AAG in 2009 having spent a short time (several months) on the Cayman register as VP-CRS. German Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has used personalised registration VP-CRS on three aircraft – Hawker 800XP, msn 258520, IAI Galaxy, msn 008 and Challenger 605 msn 5739.
Pictured above, A6-AAG is seen vacating Shannon’s R24 at “Charlie” this afternoon.
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It would appear that the last of the former Aegean / Olympic Boeing 737 aircraft stored in Shannon has assumed an Irish identity. A year and three weeks after it arrived in Shannon, Boeing 737-4Y0, msn 25177 has become EI-EMY. The aircraft was formerly operated by Aegean Airlines as SX-BGQ and arrived in Shannon on May 5 last year. The aircraft was painted all white in June of last year and has spent the best part of its time in Shannon parked on Taxiway 7. Just under a week ago it was towed to the Shannon Aerospace hangar and was noted there in Irish marks today. Pictured above, EI-EMY proves there’s nothing like heat haze and a lamp post to ruin a shot !
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Ryanair took delivery of its latest aircraft today. Boeing 737-8AS, msn 38513 is registered EI-EML and arrived in Dublin from Seattle this afternoon as RYR 800L. The hex code for EI-EML is 4CA854. Michael Kelly was on hand to record the arrival.
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Minneapolis based Gerneral Mills are the owners of some of the best known consumer brands such as Green Giant, Haagen Dazs, Cheerios and Old El Paso. Their corporate fleet includes Cessna Citation X registered N751GM which has visited Ireland on many occasions although it tends to frequent Dublin more so than Shannon where it visited once this year and not at all last year. This afternoon the aircraft (msn 750-0207, built in 2003) departed Shannon for Bangor and was pictured lining up on R24 for a rainy departure.
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Revised safety restriction zones in volcanic ash cloud came into operation in Irish and UK airspace at noon today. The aim of the new system, agreed between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the UK CAA is to reduce the levels of flight restrictions which been imposed since volcanic eruptions in Iceland began last month.
Once regulatory authorities in other countries agree, the guidelines will be applied throughout European airspace.
In a statement issued last night the IAA said that the new system came about as a result of 300,000 flight hours in the enhanced procedure zone in the past month, observation flights from Europe and “updating of the volcanic Model”.
The new guidelines involve three zones – an inner “no fly zone” around the volcano, a middle “time limited zone”, where aircraft with approved certification can fly with the approval of their regulatory authorities and engine and airframe manufacturers and an outer “enhanced procedures zone”. The IAA statement does not give any indication of what (if anything) is involved in achieving certification to fly in the time limited zone.
The move comes as airlines have become more vocal in their criticism of the way in which regulatory authorities were managing the ash crises. Speaking on RTE Radio’s “Morning Ireland” program last week, Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller said that it was wrong to depend solely on one method (VAAC) of forecasting where ash concentrations existed. He said that test flights from Germany had failed to find ash where the VAAC forecast that concentrations would exist which meant that the converse could also apply – i.e. ash occurring where it was not forecast. Mr. Mueller had urged that the authorities learn from agencies in other parts of the world – Alaska, Hawaii and South America where there was much more experience in dealing with flying in the vicinity of volcanoes.
Ryanair joined the debate yesterday when it too called for dropping of the VAAC method of forecasting ash – a process it says which “used computer generated models to chart large black clouds over much of Ireland and the UK which don’t exist”.
Ryanair also said that the reopening of London’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports yesterday morning “despite the fact that this imaginary black cloud or no fly zone is hovering right over Heathrow and Gatwick, proves that the VAAC charts no longer retains any credibility or confidence within the airline industry.”
Ryanair called on the UK CAA to do away with the VAAC charts and for European regulators to adopt the US style model with a 60 nm no fly zone around the volcano. Outside of this zone, aircraft are free to fly provided no evidence of ash being detected.
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Ryanair today condemned what it says are “politically motivated actions” by Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority, ENAC which led to the carrier being fined €3m for 178 violations of the EU261 regulation between Saturday 17th April and Thursday 22nd April. The carrier says that it is surprised that ENAC failed to bring any of the 178 violations to its attention but investigated each case and fined Ryanair without allowing it the opportunity to defend itself.
In its defence Ryanair says that during the flight disruptions caused by volcanic ash, it followed the guidance of directive EU261 whereby it provided accommodation for stranded passengers or asked them to submit claims for reimbursement at the end of their trips.
Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara however believes that the handing down of the fines amounts to a tit for tat following last weeks injunction gained by Ryanair against ENAC where the latter had sought to limit the scope of Ryanair’s night time operations at Rome Ciampino :
“In the meantime Ryanair welcomes the latest injunction secured against ENAC last week in which the Italian Courts have ruled that ENAC cannot prevent Ryanair’s based aircraft landing at Rome Ciampino in the late evening. This latest injunction successfully prevents ENAC from disrupting Ryanair’s flights and passengers or forcing them to divert to Rome Fiumcino, instead of landing at Rome Ciampino.
“Perhaps ENAC’s surprise announcement on Saturday of a €3m fine against Ryanair, for 178 claimed but unidentified breaches of EU261 is not unrelated to the fact that ENAC’s anti Ryanair activities were the subject of yet another successful injunction in the Lazio Courts on Wednesday of last week.
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On January 13 last, Duesseldorf based Blue Wings filed for bankruptcy. It was the second time in a year that the carrier had come close to the end of the line. In March 2009 the company had it AOC revoked due to solvency fears. On that occasion the carrier was saved by a lease agreement with Dubai based Elite Aviation. In January however, the carrier which had been founded in 2002 declared itself bankrupt and ceased operations. Late last week, one of the former Blue Wings aircraft, Airbus A320-232 registered D-ANNH (msn 1823) arrived in Dublin for a check with Dublin Aerospace.
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It would appear that Aer Arann's ATR72 EI-SLL is being painted as time permits. Prior to going on lease to the carrier from Air Contractors the aircraft (msn 387) had the engine cowlings painted. On Sunday last, May 16, Paul Morris pictured the aircraft in Dublin with the latest additions which consist of titles and tail logo along with the Irish and European flags positioned next to the aircraft registration.
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Former Lufthansa CityLine Canadair CRJ200 msn 7135 has found a new life with Ukrainian carrier UT Air. As D-ACJD the aircraft was painted in Amsterdam in UT Air colours before being ferried to Toronto in mid March 2010. This afternoon the aircraft arrived in Shannon as VQ-BGO on delivery, routing from Bradley and Iqalauit and onwards to Vilnius. Flight BFO235 (Bombardier 235) was pictured on finals for R24 where the clear skies devoid of aircraft from volcanic ash have been replaced by the more customary cloud and rain. The hex code for VQ-BGO is 424994.
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Palmair are operating an IT series from Cork to Faro this summer. On Wednesday last, May 13 the service was operated by Boeing 737-5H6 registered G-PJPJ. The aircraft is familiar to many as the former British Airways machine G-GFFJ, msn 27355 and is owned by Astreus but operated in Palmair colours.
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Although Shannon has had more bad news than it can cope with of late, Delta Airlines has announced that it is to extend the seasonal Shannon – New York service to year round, incorporating full USCBP clearance. From October this year the route will be served four times weekly. On Wednesday last May 13 the DAL 123 service was operated by Boeing 757-231 registered N717TW which was making its first visit to Shannon in the Skyteam colour scheme.
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Air Contractors Boeing 737-31S registered EI-STA made its first visit to Shannon yesterday. The aircraft was operating a return charter from Dubrovnik to Shannon and also made its first visit to Cork during the week. Pictured above, EI-STA, msn 29057 is seen on finals to R24 in Shannon.
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Royal Navy Westland Seaking HU5 serial XV647 arrived in Cork on Friday, May 14 for the annual Royal Navy – Kinsale Lifeboat exercise. The helicopter visited Bantry airfield and Bantry hospital before returning to Cork Airport. XV647 is based with 771 Squadron at RAF Culdrose and is a 1969 vintage machine with msn WA635. Paul Daly pictured the craft on the ramp after arrival.
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Izmir Airlines was a new face on the Turkish IT series in Dublin today. Operating on behalf of Pegasus, the carrier was represented by Airbus A320-233 registered TC-IZA. Built in 2003 with msn 2118 the aircraft was originally delivered to TACA as N488TA before being acquired by the Turkish operator in mid 2009. Michael Kelly was on hand to record the arrival on Dublin's R28.
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Blink and you could miss a delivery. That’s the way it is with Ryanair at the moment. This afternoon saw the delivery of Boeing 737-8AS EI-EMK to Dublin. The aircraft is msn 38512 and carries hex code 4CA853. Michael Kelly pictured flight RYR 800K arriving in Dublin from Seattle.