VISITORS
Some first visits to report for a change. First to appear this morning was CSA A320 OK-LEF (2758), apparently from Bodo, Norway, & this was followed by another A320 in the shape of Koral Blue's SU-KBC (2123 ex EC-ISI, EI-EDO). The latter was on a service from Sharm el Sheikh & it is reported that this flight will also operate next Thursday & the Thursday after. Completing a trio of newcomers this afternoon was Gestair Premier EC-KHH (RB-160).
With B707s as rare as hens' teeth these days, it was good to see John Travolta's N707JT (18740 ex VH-EBM, N108BN, N707XX) make a welcome reappearance at Gatwick today. It is thought that the star is over here for some Scientology event at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead.
Aurigny ATR72 G-BWDB (449), operating as AUR603Y to Guernsey, caused some delays this morning when its passengers had to be evacuated at the 08R threshold due, it is reported, to smoke in the cabin.
FLEET NEWS
Air Transat. The former Dragonair A333 C-GCTS (177 ex B-HYE) has entered trans-Atlantic service at last & was noted operating as TSC310 on the Montreal to Paris run this morning.
Astraeus A320 G-STRP (0136) was ferried from Kemble to Southend today for painting, still transmitting the hex code for EC-GRF. It is reported that the airline will also add a second former Clickair A320 to its fleet.
DHL has ordered a further three B763Fs taking its total to six. It is believed that the additional machines will also be UK registered.
EasyJet B737 G-EZJA (30235), which was ferried to Southend on 13/9 for preparation for Aerolineas Argentinas, was registered N384DF on 14/10.
Eurocypria B738 C-GLBW (30671) was ferried from Heraklion to Perpignan on 14/10 as ECA9279 prior to return to Sunwing A/L following summer lease.
Norwegian Air Shuttle has announced that it is considering adding four A330s or B767s to its fleet in order to commence long-haul operations.
Onur Air plans to replace its MD-83/88s with A320 family aircraft by 2012.
Ryanair B738s EI-CSZ (32780), EI-CTA (29936) & EI-CTB (29937), which are all currently at Chateauroux, are understood to be destined for Atlant-Soyuz. EI-EFW (35018) & EI-EFX (35019) were noted on the flightline at Renton recently.
Thomas Cook A320 G-TCAC (1411) left Manchester as SSV9501P today for winter lease to Skyservice.
ROUTE NEWS
None today.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
None today.
CREDITS
Steve Pigg, Royston Carter, Paul Mutton, Andy Borrett, Steve Spence, Vince Horan, Shaun Irvine, CH-Aviation, Jethro, Skyliner, Freddie & the Dreamers & anybody else that I have forgotten.
Happy spotting!
John (& "Mad" Max)
MOVEMENTS SUMMARY (most from SBS)
AAW912 - A332 5A-ONF
ADR450 - CRJ2 S5-AAG
AEA1013 - B738 EC-HKR
AEA1015 - B738 EC-HZS
AMC116 - A319 9H-AEL
AMC128 - A320 9H-AEG (also AMC1122)
AUI501 - B735 UR-GAT
AWE732 - A333 N271AY
AZW724 - B762 Z-WPF
BEL2121 - A319 OO-SSG
BEL2129 - B462 OO-DJY
BMM314 - B738 CN-ROJ
BTI651 - B733 YL-BBY
CIM261 - CRJ2 OY-RJE (also CIM265)
CIM5761 - B737 OY-MRG
CIM5765 - B737 OY-MRF
CSA7116 - A320 OK-LEF (first visit)
CTN498 - A320 9A-CTF
CTN4494 - A320 9A-CTJ
DAL12 - B763 N1602
EIN23A - A320 EI-DEK
EIN24D - A320 EI-DEF
EIN236 - A320 EI-DEH
EIN246 - A320 EI-DEE (also EIN248)
ELL101 - B733 ES-ABK
EZS8469 - A319 HB-JZG (also EZS8471)
EZS8473 - A319 HB-JZL (also EZS8477)
EZS8532 - A319 HB-JZQ
ISS3531 - A319 EI-DEY (also ISS3535)
KBR4490 - A320 SU-KBC (first visit)
MAH612 - B737 HA-LOP (also MAH614)
MXA1594 - B762 XA-MXO
NAX1302 - B733 LN-KKT
NAX1304 - B733 LN-KKE
NAX1306 - B738 LN-NOH (callsign displayed as NAX1307 inbound on SBS)
NAX1318 - B738 LN-NOD
NAX1332 - B733 LN-KKR
NAX3510 - B738 LN-NOQ (also NAX3514)
NAX3521 - B738 LN-NOM
PVG7855 - B738 SE-RHX
QTR075 - A332 A7-ACL
RYR9GW - B738 EI-DYX
RYR112G - B738 EI-DHI (also RYR114G)
RYR116G - B738 EI-DPO (also RYR118G)
RYR1124 - B738 EI-DHC
RYR1126 - B738 EI-DHT
RYR1182 - B738 EI-DCH (also RYR1X)
RYR5371 - B738 EI-DWD
RYR5562 - B738 EI-DCI
RYR5568 - B738 EI-EFC
RYR9852 - B738 EI-DPG
SAS4623 - B737 LN-RPJ
SGX4203 - B738 TC-SGI
TAP334 - F100 CS-TPF
TAP348 - A319 CS-TTA
TRK443 - A321 TC-TCF
TSC322 - A313 C-GTSD
UAE009 - B773 A6-ECO
UAE011 - B772 A6-EMG
UAE015 - B773 A6-EBY
VIK134 - B733 SE-RHV
VIK334 - B738 C-FYLC (also VIK144)
VIK344 - eta 23.00
VIK682 - B733 SE-RHS
VIK862P - B733 SE-RHU
BIZJETS, ETC
EC-KHH Premier (GES032 - first visit - callsign displayed as GEST032 on SBS)
I-RONY HS125
N707JT B707 (third visit)
N808T Gulf 4
OK-VSZ Ce550 (ABP550 - second visit)