VISITORS
Swedish A/F C-130H 84006 (4885) from the TSFE at Satenas was today's only newcomer. The Qatar A346 that replaced the customary A330 on today's QTR075 from Doha was making the world's first ever gas-to-liquid kerosene revenue flight with all four engines powered by the synthetic fuel.
FLEET NEWS
Astraeus B752 G-OJIB (24292) was ferried from RAF Brize Norton to Norwich as AEU733P yesterday for painting (into Iron Maiden scheme again?).
Flyglobespan B738 G-CEJP (29646) flew its last revenue service yesterday as GSM126 from Alicante to Glasgow & was ferried to Lasham today as GSM738P for preparation for Ethiopian A/L. G-CDEG (33022) is to be withdrawn on 22/10.
Thomsonfly B733 G-THOE (26313) was ferried from Luton to Bournemouth as TOM9836 on 8/10 on return to the lessor.
ROUTE NEWS
None today.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Further to last Thursday's snippet, all Aer Lingus operations from Gatwick & Bristol will, from 1/11 for a period of 3 to 6 months, be performed by Astraeus. The same seven Aer Lingus A320s will be used, but all crews will need to attend a five-day course before the end of this month to cross over to Astraeus' standard operating procedures. There will be no changes in appearance among crew or aircraft & the carrier is stressing that this is a temporary measure in order to obtain a UK AOC for a few months while applying for its own. This temporary AOC will also allow Aer Lingus to apply to non-EU countries to start flights from Gatwick, primarily to the USA (Chicago, Orlando or Washington) & possibly South Africa. Having lost so many long-haul routes to LHR, this could be good news for those of us local to Gatwick.
This evening's Panorama programme entitled "Why Hate Ryanair" made interesting watching & seems (inevitably) to have upset Mr O'Leary with accusations from him of censorship & lies. Those of you who have flown Ryanair will doubtless make up your own minds.
CREDITS
Ian Gawtrey, Rod Page, Paul Mutton, Steve Spence, Seymour Hills, Mike Hooker, Jethro, Skyliner, Count Dracula & anybody else that I have forgotten.
Happy spotting!
John (& "Mad" Max)
MOVEMENTS SUMMARY (most from SBS)
AAW912 - A320 5A-ONA
ADR450 - CRJ2 S5-AAF
AEA1013 - E195 EC-KXD
AEA1015 - B738 EC-KBV
AMC116 - A320 9H-AEK
AMC1122 - A319 9H-AEH
AUI501 - B734 UR-GAP
AWE732 - A333 N275AY
BEL2121 - B463 OO-DWH (also BEL2129)
BMM314 - B734 CN-RMX (also BMM316)
BTI651 - B752 YL-BDB
CIM261 - CRJ2 OY-RJE
CIM265 - CRJ2 OY-MBT
CIM5761 - B737 OY-MRG
CIM5765 - B737 OY-MRE
CTN494 - A320 9A-CTF
CTN498 - A320 9A-CTJ
CTN4494 - A319 9A-CTG
DAL12 - B763 N193DN
EIN23A - A320 EI-DES (also EIN246/248)
EIN24D - A320 EI-CVD
EIN236 - A320 EI-DER
EZS8469 - A319 HB-JZG (also EZS8471)
EZS8473 - A319 HB-JZO (also EZS8477)
EZS8532 - A319 HB-JZH
FHY589 - A320 TC-FBJ
ISS3531 - A319 EI-DFA
ISS3535 - did not operate
LZB497 - A320 LZ-FBC
MAH612 - B737 HA-LOL (also MAH614)
NAX1302 - B733 LN-KKB
NAX1304 - B733 LN-KKC
NAX1306 - B738 LN-NOS
NAX1318 - B738 LN-NOL
NAX1332 - B738 LN-NOG
NAX3510 - B733 LN-KKU
NAX3514 - B738 LN-NOM
NAX3521 - B733 LN-KKD
OHY1605 - A321 TC-OAK
QTR075 - A346 A7-AGC (third visit)
RYR9GW - B738 EI-DWK
RYR112G - B738 EI-DCV (also RYR114G)
RYR116G - B738 EI-DLH (also RYR118G)
RYR1124 - B738 EI-DPW
RYR1126 - B738 EI-DPX
RYR1182 - B738 EI-DAH (also RYR1X)
RYR5371 - B738 EI-DCK
RYR5562 - B738 EI-DPZ
RYR5568 - B738 EI-EFC
RYR9852 - B738 EI-DPG
SAS4623 - B735 LN-BRV
TAP334 - F100 CS-TPF
TAP348 - A319 CS-TTE
TRK413 - A321 TC-TCF
TSC722 - A313 C-GSAT
UAE9 - B773 A6-ECC
UAE11 - B773 A6-EBU
UAE15 - B773 A6-EBW
VIK672 - B738 SE-RHS
BIZJETS, ETC
CS-DLG DA2000EX (NJE035M - second visit)
G-XXRS BD700 (arr 11/10)
84006 C-130H (SVF843 - first visit)