VISITORS
Belavia CRJ-200 EW-276PJ (7799 ex N698BR) was the only newcomer at Gatwick today. It was still transmitting the hex code belonging to N698BR.
Astraeus B752 G-STRW (24543) diverted into Gatwick in the early hours of this morning with an unspecified problem while operating AEU184 from Alicante to Keflavik. Titan B752 G-ZAPX (29309) was ferried down from Stansted as AWC001P to collect the passengers & continued to Keflavik as AEU184A. It then returned to Gatwick this afternoon operating the scheduled AEU501 before ferrying back to Stansted as AWC002P. Interestingly, my SBS picked up Aurela B752 LY-SKR (30233) this evening routing from Vilnius to RAF Brize Norton as AEU743L & (presumably) also subbing for the sick G-STRW, which is still here at Gatwick. Alitalia A321 I-BIXN (0576) was back again this morning to take the Roma team home after their 1-1 draw with Fulham, while Belair B763 HB-ISE (27600) positioned in from Zurich to operate a flight to New York/JFK. It is understood that the aircraft will be returned to the lessor on its arrival back at Zurich.
FLEET NEWS
EasyJet B737 G-EZJB (30236) performed its last revenue flight today as EZY2284 from Milan/Malpensa to Luton & was then ferried to Southend this afternoon as EZY8001 for preparation for Aerolineas Argentinas.
Norwegian Air Shuttle confirmed an order for a further six B738s today. This takes the airline's total order book for new B738s to forty-eight.
Ryanair B738 EI-EFY (35020) made it first flight yesterday.
Thomas Cook Scandinavia A333 OY-VKI (357) was ferried from Manchester to Bahrain as TCX333P on 19/10, followed by OY-VKH (356) as TCX398P the next day. Both are for Hajj duties with Garuda.
ROUTE NEWS
None today.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
The new owners of Gatwick are still talking a good game. They have stated that their aims will be to slash passenger queuing times at security, upgrade the airport's ageing facilities & implement massive improvements to customer service. They also wish to end Gatwick's status as the poor relation of Heathrow.
Afraid that I can't resist a couple more snippets of aviation trivia that you may have missed. It is reported that the crew of NWA188, operated by A320 N374NW (1646), en route from San Diego, CA managed to overfly their destination of Minneapolis/St Paul, MN by 150 miles on Wednesday evening. The aircraft was out of contact with ATC for over an hour before the crew noticed their mistake & asked ATC for permission to turn round & fly back to MSP. Apparently, the pilots were engaged in a heated debate over airline policies & lost situational awareness. The NTSB has opened an investigation, scheduled an interview with the crew & secured the aircraft's black boxes. Anyone need two A320 pilots?
Also, on Monday, the crew of Delta B763 N185DN (27961) operating DAL60 from Rio de Janeiro to Atlanta, GA declared a medical emergency on approach to Atlanta. Having received clearance to land on runway 27R in night conditions, but with good visibility, the crew seemingly became distracted & managed to touch down on taxiway M, which is just to the north of & parallel to runway 27R. Luckily, there was no other traffic on the taxiway. The pilots have been derostered & the NTSB is to investigate. Still feel safe flying in the USA?
CREDITS
Colin Wright, Vince Horan, Les Wallis, John Tietjen, Pete Bance, Mark Teale, John Creasey, Gary Jones, Steve Spence, Jethro, Skyliner, Asterix the Gaul (50 today) & anybody else that I have forgotten.
Happy spotting!
John (& "Mad" Max)
MOVEMENTS SUMMARY (most from SBS)
AAW912 - A332 5A-ONG
ADR450 - CRJ2 S5-AAD
AEA1013 - E195 EC-KYO (also AEA1015)
AEU501 - B752 G-ZAPX (Titan)
AMC116 - A320 9H-AEP
AMC118 - delayed to 22.24
AMC1122 - A319 9H-AEL
AUI501 - B733 UR-GAQ
AWE732 - A333 N272AY
AZA8666 - A321 I-BIXN
BEL2121 - A319 OO-SSG
BEL2129 - B462 OO-DJS
BHP116F - B763 HB-ISE (third visit)
BMM314 - A321 CN-ROM (also BMM316)
BRU851 - CRJ2 EW-276PJ (first visit)
BTI651 - B752 YL-BDB
CIM261 - CRJ2 OY-RJD
CIM5265 - B737 OY-MRF
CIM5761 - B737 OY-MRE
CIM5765 - B737 OY-MRH
CTN494 - A320 9A-CTF
CTN4494 - A319 9A-CTG
DAL12 - B763 N174DZ
ECA254 - B738 5B-DBU
EIN23A - A320 EI-DEN (also EIN246/248)
EIN24D - A320 EI-DEG
EIN236 - A320 EI-DEF
EZS8469 - A319 G-EZAG (also EZS8471)
EZS8473 - A319 HB-JZJ (also EZS8477)
EZS8532 - A319 HB-JZQ
ISS3531 - A319 EI-DFP (also ISS3535)
KYV975 - A321 TC-KTD
LZB497 - A320 LZ-FBC
MAH612 - B738 HA-LOC (also MAH614)
NAX1302 - B738 LN-NOD
NAX1304 - B738 LN-NON
NAX1306 - B738 LN-NOH
NAX1318 - B733 LN-KKC
NAX1332 - B738 LN-NOC
NAX3510 - B733 LN-KHB
NAX3514 - B738 LN-NOQ
NAX3521 - B738 LN-NOP
OHY363 - A321 TC-OAF
OHY5616 - delayed to 22.30 (should be A320 TC-OBD)
OHY7367 - A321 TC-OAN
PGT493 - B738 TC-AAO
QTR075 - A332 A7-AFP
RYR1X - B738 EI-DLN
RYR9GW - B738 EI-DYT
RYR112G - B738 EI-DWR (also RYR114G)
RYR116G - B738 EI-DLH (also RYR118G)
RYR1124 - B738 EI-DCN
RYR1126 - B738 EI-DHT
RYR1182 - B738 EI-DAH
RYR5371 - B738 EI-DAM
RYR5562 - B738 EI-DAO
RYR9852 - B738 EI-DCE
SAS4623 - B735 LN-BRH
TAP334 - F100 CS-TPA
TAP348 - A320 CS-TNK
TRK453 - A321 TC-TCF
TRK4453 - A321 TC-TCE
TSC422 - A313 C-GSAT
UAE009 - B773 A6-ECG
UAE011 - B772 A6-EMJ
UAE015 - B773 A6-EBU
VIK44P - B738 SE-RHS
VIK152 - eta 22.55
VIK158 - eta 23.00
VIK876P - B733 SE-RHU
BIZJETS, ETC
G-CDWY A109S
G-EDCL Ce525A (EDC811P)
G-FPLB Be200 (arr late 23/10 & dep early this morning after calibration runs)
N67RX BD700