VISITORS
Oxford Air Services EC135T G-HOLM (0574) was the only newcomer today. Out of the ordinary this morning was the almost simultaneous arrival of a pair of Cubana Il-96s. One was the usual flight from Havana, while the other was a Paris weather diversion. Without doubt, this is the first occasion that we have had two Il-96s on the deck at Gatwick at the same time.
FLEET NEWS
Aer Lingus A333 EI-CRK (70) left Filton this afternoon as EIN992P in full Vladivostok Avia scheme en route to Bordeaux.
Air Europa EMB195 EC-KXD (19000244) was due to start its delivery flight from Brazil today.
Air Malta A320 9H-AEF (2142) returned to Malta yesterday following its winter lease to Sky A/L.
Aurigny took delivery of brand new ATR72-500 G-COBO (852) today. The second ATR72-500, G-VZON (853) should also join the fleet shortly & the -500s will replace two of the three existing ATR72-200s.
Flyglobespan B733 G-GSPN (29267) was due to be ferried from Bacau to Southend today for painting for a new operator, but may not have arrived yet.
Gadair B752 EC-JRT (24772) left Madrid for Toronto this evening using its registration as a callsign on return to the lessor.
Norwegian Air Shuttle B738 LN-NOO (30289) undertook its delayed delivery flight from Lasham to Oslo today as NAX8919, while the future LN-NOP (32655 ex EI-ECL) was ferried from Budapest to Shannon this morning as GCC655, still carrying EI-ECL & in Futura scheme. LN-NOQ (32658) was due to be delivered from Shannon to Oslo today following painting but, as far as I can determine, is still at Shannon.
Ryanair B738 EI-EBN (35003) made its maiden flight from Renton this morning.
Spanair. The airline's former MD-83 EC-HKP (49624), which is now N624MD & has been in store at Palma, was picked up on SBS at lunchtime today using callsign JKK1234 & en route to Keflavik.
ROUTE NEWS
British A/W. Perhaps I have just missed it in the last few days, but I notice that the BA flights to/from Spanish destinations are now showing on the BAA arrivals screen as code shares with Iberia.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
JUST A REMINDER THAT THIS IS THE LAST ROUNDUP FOR AROUND TWO WEEKS.
EasyJet's load factor in February was 87%, up 2.4% on February 2008 & the rolling 12-month figure was up 1.8%. Ryanair's load factor in February was 78%, which was up 3% on February 2008, while its rolling 12-month figure was up 7%.
Finally, & apologies for straying outside the area again, Air India A310 VT-EVW (598) was ferried to Kemble as AIC161 today for parting out.
CREDITS
Ian Gawtrey, Paul Giblin, Paul Mutton, Mike Hooker, Nick Yeadon, Mark Williams, Andy Borrett, Skyliner, Nicole Kidman & anybody else that I have forgotten.
Happy spotting!
John (& "Mad" Max)
MOVEMENTS SUMMARY (most from SBS)
AAW912 - A320 5A-ONB
AMC116 - A320 9H-AEP
AMC1126 - A319 9H-AEJ
AUI501 - B733 UR-GAQ
AWE730 - B752 N204UW
AWE732 - A333 N277AY
AZW724 - B762 Z-WPE
BEL2121 - B734 OO-VES
BEL2129 - B463 EI-DWK
BMM314 - A321 CN-RNY
BTI651 - B752 YL-BDC
CIM265 - CRJ2 OY-RJD
CIM5761 - B737 OY-MRH (also CIM5765)
CNO623 - B735 LN-BRX
CTN4494 - A319 9A-CTL
CUB400 - Il96 CU-T1254
CUB440 - Il96 CU-T1250 (Paris weather diversion)
DAL012 - B764 N835MH
DAL036 - B752 N727TW
EIN242 - A320 EI-DEM
EIN244 - A320 EI-DEK
EIN246 - A320 EI-DEA (also EIN248)
ELL101 - B733 ES-ABJ
EZS8532 - A319 HB-JZO
EZS8569 - A319 HB-JZH (also EZS8571)
EZS8573 - A319 HB-JZQ
EZS8575 - A319 HB-JZP
ISS3531 - A319 EI-DFA
ISS3535 - A319 EI-DEY
MAH612 - B737 HA-LOP (also MAH614)
MPD230 - MD87 EC-KSF (Aerofan - also MPD232)
MXA1594 - B762 XA-MXO
NAX1318 - B733 LN-KKJ
NAX1342 - B733 LN-KKP
OAL271 - B734 SX-BKH
QTR075 - A332 A7-AFL
RYR1X - B738 EI-DHM
RYR112G - B738 EI-EBF (aircraft change from the predicted EI-DHW - also RYR114G)
RYR116G - B738 EI-DCC (also RYR118G)
RYR1124 - B738 EI-DHH (also RYR1126)
RYR1182 - B738 EI-DLD
RYR5562 - B738 EI-DAY
RYR5568 - B738 EI-DWZ
RYR7102 - B738 EI-DAS
RYR9228 - B738 EI-EBG
RYR9852 - B738 EI-DWS
TAP332 - F100 CS-TPB
TAP334 - F100 CS-TPF
TAP344 - A319 CS-TTG
TSC322 - A310 C-GSAT
UAE009 - B773 A6-ECN (second visit)
UAE011 - B772 A6-EMG
UAE015 - B773 A6-EMW
VIK682P - B738 SE-RHR
BIZJETS, ETC
CS-DUB HS125 (NJE800F - second visit)
CS-DXZ Ce560XLS (arr 4/3 & dep today)
G-HOLM EC135T (Woodstock26 - first visit)
N405HG Gulf 5 (arr 4/3)