Glasgow Airport Movements 2021
January
*Page under construction*
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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January 2021
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February 2021
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March 2021
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April 2021
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May 2021
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June 2021
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July 2021
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August 2021
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September 2021
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October 2021
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November 2021
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December 2021
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Coronavirus put paid to Scotland`s traditional grand scale New Year celebrations. Normally tens of thousands of people would have gathered in Edinburgh early on Hogmanay in anticipation of participating one of the world`s largest annual street parties and fireworks and gatherings throughout the nation, whether open air public events or indoors, would see in the Bells. The pyrotechnic display that normally lights up skies above the capital`s capital is justly world famous but, in order to discourage crowds, it was scaled back with synchronised drone art providing a unique alternative. A series showing shapes formed in the sky was filmed in the Scottish Highlands and over Edinburgh and made available to view on the edinburghshogmanay website. etc
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The largest firework display took place above Stirling with the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle etc
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Another milestone to celebrate came on Monday 4 January when the first dose of the Oxford vaccine was administered in the UK. The race was on to roll out protection fast enough to counter the spread of Coronavirus, boosted by a newly identified strain that passes from person to person at an alarming rate. New emergency laws requiring people to stay at home came into force in Scotland at midnight on 4 January. That afternoon, the Scottish mainland and the Isle of Skye, which has bridge connection, went into the highest Tier and the rest of the UK quickly followed suit. Prime Minister Boris Johnson later announced similar lockdown measures for the whole of England with all schools and colleges there closing to most pupils until mid February. (to edit)*
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that outdoor gatherings would also to be cut back, with people in Scotland only allowed to meet one person from one other household. Places of worship were closed apart from essential limited attendance services and schools will now largely operate via online and remote learning. These rules will apply across most of Scotland until at least the end of January, and will be kept under review. Island areas, apart from Skye, were able to remain in level three for the time being.
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Both Nicola Sturgeon and PM Boris Johnson made heartfelt TV appeals in an attempt to illustrate the severity and urgency of the situation as infection rates steadily reached and then surpassed those of March last year when the pandemic was at its height. Yet again the steeply rising trend of infections threatened to put significant pressure on NHS services and overwhelm some hospitals, particularly those in London and several other UK cities. Despite the best efforts of the majority of the population in sticking to the rules, whether they be heads of government, emergency service personnel or carers, workers in numerous fields, to ordinary members of the
public, by 9 January 2021, the UK toll from COVID-related deaths had surpassed the 80,000 mark - a staggering and tragic milestone. |
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Just over a fortnight later, as the government battled to speed up the vaccination program, the death toll passed 100,000 people making the UK the first European nation to pass the grim figure and suffering the world’s fifth highest toll from COVID-19. The 100,000 plus tragedy means that in less than a year, more people have died here than Britain’s entire civilian toll in World War Two and twice the number killed in the 1940-41 Blitz bombing campaign.
Typical city centre scenes this month: No hoards of bargain hunting shoppers in Glasgow`s Buchanan Street and Princes Street, Edinburgh...
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(Lockdown images © BBC / ITV / Getty / Glasgow Times / Daily Express)
Police Scotland confirmed it would increase patrols in various communities throughout the nation in a bid to ensure Scots follow the legally-enforceable stay-at-home lockdown rules. People were only be permitted to leave their place of residence for an “essential purpose” and only two people from two different households could meet outdoors instead of the previous limit of six people from two households.
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Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the force’s approach had not changed, and its officers will continue to encourage people to follow the regulations and take personal responsibility in the fight against the virus. Ideally minor breaches would be resolved after advice was given, but anyone blatantly flouting the regulations could make themselves liable to a fine or arrest.
It is permissible to leave your home for outdoor exercise, however, the new directive has ruled out leaving your own council area for non-essential purposes. The reasoning behind this was clearly illustrated on Hogmanay when a major rescue operation was launched after two climbers, who had ignored the travel ban, had got into difficulty while tackling Buachaille Etive Mor in Glen Coe. |
The men, aged 21 and 27, had travelled more than 40 miles from their homes in Oban to make the climb and one of them suffered a leg injury on the descent in fading light, forcing them to call the Glencoe Mountain Rescue team for help. No less than 25 team members responded and reached the pair on foot to assist them down the hill. One of the rescuers damaged ankle ligaments during the operation and will be off work and unavailable for rescues for at least six weeks.
While there is always risk involved, the committed volunteers never hesitate to respond to those in need of help, but Team Leader Andy Nelson said that some of those assisting the men did feel vulnerable due to the inevitable close contact required, placing them at increased risk of catching COVID. A further consideration is that some of the team are a bit older or have close relatives who might be shielding or in an otherwise high-risk group. The rescue, which did not require the assistance of a helicopter, took a total of 108 man-hours and the team stood down at 19:30 hrs. The pair who instigated the rescue were each issued with a fixed penalty notice by police for breaching travel regulations.
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A trip that caused even more adverse criticism from some camps took place on 28 January when Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a one-day visit to Scotland. By chance I was driving past the airport when `Bor Force Two` (left) taxied out for departure. I only had my compact camera with me but managed a few grainy shots which can be viewed in the Military Section below. The PM`s visit north of the border was intended to highlight how the union is fighting the pandemic as a whole. Recent polls have suggested there is growing support for independence and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is threatening to hold an advisory referendum. She maintained that Boris`s presence was not essential and political leaders should abide by the same lockdown rules as they ask of the general public.
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On the morning of Mr Johnson's trip, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove defended his boss`s visit, saying: "The prime minister has a responsibility and a role to make sure the vaccine roll-out is proceeding appropriately, to thank those on the front line, NHS professionals and those in the British Army who are making sure things work well." Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also backed the prime minister's Scotland trip, saying he was "with the prime minister on this one". "He is the prime minister of the UK. It's important that he travels to see what is going on, on the ground."
(Above photo © Scottish Sun / Alamy Live News)
The PM visited French biotechnology laboratory Valneva in Livingston, a Lighthouse Laboratory in Glasgow used for processing COVID-19 tests then, suitably clad in PPE, met staff at the lab at the city`s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Officials said Westminster has delivered more than one million rapid lateral flow test kits to Scotland so far and is funding testing sites across the country as well as the Lighthouse Lab. Money from Westminster has provided 62% of testing kits in Scotland, a No 10 spokesman added.
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(Additional images © Sky News / The Guardian / The Times / AFP / Getty)
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Snow fell on the airport and surrounding area for the first time this winter during the early hours of Thursday 7 December. Although it didn`t last long, it made a pleasant change from the wet and windy winter weather that has become the norm in recent years. These impressive aerial shots of Glasgow Airport are not real photographs but computer generated views created by UK2000 Scenery for the Microsoft Flight Simulator. The realism and attention to detail is outstanding and it`s no surprise that this amateur flight simulator program for PC and console, now with near-photo-realistic graphics, is the world leader.
COP 26
Glasgow had been set to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow during November last year but it was put on hold due to the pandemic. Up to 90,000 people had been expected to attend the original event which has been rescheduled to take place between 1 – 12 November 2021. Obviously there`s still a chance that the event could be cancelled altogether, relocated, or postponed again depending on the ever-evolving worldwide COVID-19 situation but if not, the climate talks should see hundreds of heads of state, diplomats, climate experts, business leaders, media, observers and campaigners, as well as protesters, descend on Glasgow and Edinburgh. No doubt there will be far more online discussions and virtual meetings than originally planned but COP 26 is still being billed as one of the biggest global events the UK has ever hosted, requiring possibly the largest ever mobilisation of police officers in the UK.
Even if the numbers of attendees are well down on the original totals it should provide a welcome boost to Scotland`s struggling airports and hospitality trade. Also, even though the nature of the conference will see many participants use green modes of transport, there should be plenty of unusual movements at all three of Scotland`s main airports, certainly enough to keep the aircraft photographers snapping away. (Above image © Scottish Event Campus).
Earth's great ice sheets, Greenland (seen here) and Antarctica, are now losing mass six times faster than they were in the 1990s thanks to rising temperatures. A comprehensive review of satellite data acquired at both poles is unequivocal in its assessment of accelerating trends, say scientists.
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Between them, Greenland and Antarctica lost 6.4 trillion tonnes of ice in the period from 1992 to 2017 which was enough to push up global sea-levels by 17.8mm. I took these views of Greenland`s spectacular landscape several years ago from an altitude of 30,000 feet on a plane bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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At the opposite end of the scale, global warming is increasing the incidence of drought, which dries up water holes. Higher temperatures may produce an increasing number of wildfires that alter desert landscapes by eliminating slow-growing trees and shrubs and replacing them with fast-growing grasses. The Sahara Desert has expanded by about 10 percent since 1920, according to a new study.
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With COP 26 now just over 9 months away, the organisers are looking to recruit host city volunteers to provide support, information, and assistance to visiting delegates. In a move that aims to emulate the success of the London Olympics, and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the government is already calling on the public give up their time to help host the high profile summit. Glasgow City Council, which is running the recruitment drive, said a variety of roles would be available in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, with volunteers tasked with providing information on the conference and its venues, supporting delegates that are staying and travelling around the area, and promoting "the best of what Glasgow and Scotland has to offer". More information can be found on the event`s official website: Click here to view.
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One iconic species suffering a catastrophic decline, due not only to loss of habitat due to climate change, but poaching on an industrial scale, is the African Elephant. Now scientists cam use satellite images to count and track African elephants from space. The pictures come from an Earth-observation satellite orbiting 600km (372 miles) above the planet's surface. The breakthrough could allow up to 5,000 sq km of elephant habitat to be surveyed on a single cloud-free day, and a computer algorithm trained to identify elephants in a variety of backdrops, provides an accurate tally.
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The scientists tested the technology at South Africa's Addo Elephant National Park which has a high density of elephants and a variety of terrain. The technology is now ready to go and conservation organisations are already interested in using the system to replace surveys using aircraft. Conservationists would have to pay for access to commercial satellites and the images they capture, but the new approach could vastly improve the monitoring of threatened elephant populations in habitats that span international borders, where it can be difficult to obtain permission for aircraft surveys. Scientists say it could also be used in anti-poaching work.
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(Satellite images © Maxar Technologies)
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GLASGOW Airport has warned of three material uncertainties “which may cast significant doubt” over its ability to continue as a going concern, as it reported a sharp drop in profits for the year before coronavirus struck. Directors underlined the huge impact that the pandemic is continuing to have on operations at the airport in new accounts for the company, which is owned by AGS Airport Holdings. Writing in accounts newly filed at Companies House, which reveal profits dipped to £45.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, down from £57m, directors highlight the pandemic and the collapse of Flybe as “two significant events” that impacted operations in 2020. Traffic at Glasgow Airport ground to a near-halt in March last year following the introduction of restrictions to suppress the spread of coronavirus, with activity subsequently limited to the provision of lifeline services to the Highlands and Islands, the NHS, and air ambulance services. (to edit)*
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Traffic was also seriously impacted at Glasgow following the collapse into administration of Flybe in early March in the period immediately prior to the pandemic taking hold. The regional carrier had accounted for eight per cent of the airport’s traffic. Passenger numbers for the full year of 2020 were expected to be down on 2019, the accounts state. According to the accounts, passenger traffic had, before the pandemic erupted, fallen by 8.4 per cent to 8.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The decline reflected a 9.1% fall in international traffic, and a 7.5% drop in domestic passenger numbers.
The fall in passenger numbers experienced by Glasgow Airport in 2019 came as Edinburgh Airport had achieved a record 12 months, with passenger numbers rising by 3.1% to 14.7 million. However, Edinburgh reported in October that the number of people passing through fell by 91% to 785,000 between April and September, in light of coronavirus. (MS Flight Sim images © www.uk2000scenery.co.uk).
The Glasgow Airport directors outline in the accounts a range of steps taken by the company to protect staff, preserve cash and raise finance in the wake of the pandemic. These have included use of the furlough scheme, temporary pay-cuts and the cessation of bonuses. It has also negotiated with suppliers, local councils and tax authorities to “reduce or defer costs”, and “reprioritised its capital investment program.” However, bosses warn that “there remains uncertainty over the Company’s future trading results and cashflows”. In notes to the accounts, directors highlight the continuing uncertainty over when lockdown will end and the subsequent pace of recovery, additional funding, and the company’s ability to comply with or obtain a waiver with regard to its June 2021 lending covenants, as material uncertainties. (to edit)*
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“The outlook for 2021 continues to be uncertain and highly dependent on the scale and pace of the recovery in trading in 2020,” the directors state. Directors warn that a combination of the pandemic, alongside the collapse into administration of Flybe early last year, “will have a significant adverse EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) impact” on its accounts for 2020. However, they note the group “will have sufficient liquidity during the year.” The company states in its accounts that it finances its activities through its operations and has access to inter-group funding within AGS, which also owns Aberdeen and Southampton Airports, as well as external debt facilities. The facilities are due for renewal in 2022 and include covenants which, if breached, “would result in the amounts drawn down becoming payable on demand”. (to edit)*
“The Group has successfully negotiated with its lenders to wave these covenants, due to the current situation, at both 30 June 2020 and 31 December 2020,” the directors add in the accounts. “Additionally, on 16 March and 18 March 2020 the Group secured further funding of £10m and £28m under its working capital and capital expenditure facilities respectively. “This therefore leaves the Group with and used capital expenditure facility of £36m.” (Glasgow Airport Terminal interior images © The Times / Daily Record / Alamy. Following computer Flight Sim screenshot © www.uk2000scenery.co.uk).
Following the initial lockdown in March of last year, Glasgow Airport saw traffic pick up last summer, as services to some holiday destinations came back on stream. However, traffic tailed off as the second wave of coronavirus hit, and more nations were added to the quarantine list. This month will see a further decline in activity with the introduction of new restrictions on international travel, including a requirement for people arriving in the UK to have tested negatively for coronavirus. It is understood that traffic at Glasgow is currently down between 90% and 95% on the level of this time last year.
Before Christmas, AGS began consulting staff on “large-scale redundancies” as it dealt with the decline in business while maintaining around 80% of its overheads. “The directors believe that the company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current economic outlook,” bosses add in the accounts. AGS chief executive Derek Provan, who has repeatedly called for mass testing to be used as a means to keep aviation open safely throughout the crisis, welcomed last week’s decision by the UK Government to insist on negative tests for arrivals, but said the move had “taken much longer than expected”. Meanwhile, new accounts for Aberdeen Airport show it made pre-tax profits of £18.3m for the year ended December 31, down from £24.4m. The fall came as passenger traffic decreased by 4.1% to 2.97 million. // In response to the worsening crisis, several airlines have cut back their already drastically reduced services: Ryanair and Jet2 have elected to suspend their flights to and from Glasgow until the end of March with Loganair suspending their connections to Belfast City and Southampton airports until 1 March. (12 Jan 2021). (to edit)*
Before Christmas, AGS began consulting staff on “large-scale redundancies” as it dealt with the decline in business while maintaining around 80% of its overheads. “The directors believe that the company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully despite the current economic outlook,” bosses add in the accounts. AGS chief executive Derek Provan, who has repeatedly called for mass testing to be used as a means to keep aviation open safely throughout the crisis, welcomed last week’s decision by the UK Government to insist on negative tests for arrivals, but said the move had “taken much longer than expected”. Meanwhile, new accounts for Aberdeen Airport show it made pre-tax profits of £18.3m for the year ended December 31, down from £24.4m. The fall came as passenger traffic decreased by 4.1% to 2.97 million. // In response to the worsening crisis, several airlines have cut back their already drastically reduced services: Ryanair and Jet2 have elected to suspend their flights to and from Glasgow until the end of March with Loganair suspending their connections to Belfast City and Southampton airports until 1 March. (12 Jan 2021). (to edit)*
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On 14 January struggling airline Norwegian, once the third-biggest operator at Gatwick, announced that it will no longer fly long-haul routes, even after the pandemic, bringing an end to its low-cost, long-haul vision and spelling the loss of about 1,100 jobs including 300 pilots, at London`s second airport. Approximately 2,150 positions will go throughout it`s network with additional staff cuts in Spain, France and the US.
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The airline’s 1,100 long-haul UK-based flight crew and pilots had been furloughed since the start of the COVID crisis but a further 400 UK employees who worked on short-haul routes were made redundant last year. The carrier is going through bankruptcy protection proceedings in Ireland that will allow it to restructure and continue operations by demonstrating a viable business plan to judges there. Under Norwegian’s complex company structure, only its subsidiaries employing the crew have gone into liquidation, allowing its Gatwick-based airline, Norwegian UK, to survive on paper and one day potentially return to the air.
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Although Norwegian has never operated scheduled services from Glasgow International, its Boeing 737s are a familiar sight at Edinburgh. The airline`s Boeing 787 Dreamliners have also been a regular feature at Prestwick in recent years, flying there to undergo upgrades and engine changes at Chevron. Now the long-haul Dreamliner fleet will be disposed off leaving Norwegian with 50 narrow-body planes. The following shot was taken at Prestwick in November last year.
The six Norwegian 787s currently at Prestwick have all been stored there for well over a year: LN-LNA since 27 May 2019, LN-LNG since 02 July 2019, LN-LNH since 20 August 2019, LN-LND since 10 September 2019, LN-LNB since 17 September 2019 and SE-RXY, a brand new airliner, has been there since 31 July 2019 having positioned direct from Boeing.
Trump`s Legacy - Turmoil in America
Trump etc* // The violent and deadly pro-Trump riot inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 marked a dark day in America. What started as a congressional and democratic exercise in the peaceful transfer of power with a joint session of Congress counting certified Electoral College votes from the states, devolved into death, destruction and chaos when a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, breaking windows, ransacking lawmakers’ offices and clashing with police. Five dead including one police officer.
Most Democrats, and many Republicans, put the blame squarely on Trump after hundreds of protesters bearing Trump flags and clothing broke into the Capitol on Wednesday and caused destruction and mass evacuations. The president had urged the supporters to protest as Congress was counting the electoral votes that confirmed Biden’s win. Here is a look at how the chaos unfolded.
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President Trump spoke to a group of supporters at an organised rally outside of the White House on the ellipse, where several thousand protesters cheered Trump and his false claims of widespread election fraud. "We will not let them silence your voices," Trump told the protesters. "We will stop the steal." During the rally, Trump told supporters he will "never concede" the election as Republican lawmakers began challenging the Electoral College votes. "We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I love Pennsylvania Avenue, and we’re going to the Capitol," Trump said. Trump put pressure on Pence to toss electors from battleground states that voted for Biden. "I hope Mike is going to do the right thing. I hope so. I hope so," Trump said. "Because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election." as thousands of Trump’s supporters gathered outside the Capitol and began to instigate skirmishes with police, breaking down barriers set up to protect the area. Photos and videos showed rioters scaling walls, breaking down fences, tearing down scaffolding and continuing to overwhelm authorities.
Pro-Trump supporters broke through metal barricades at the back of the Capitol building, and were "running past security guards and breaking fences while chanting ‘USA! USA!,’" according to the Washington Post. Officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep the pro-Trump rioters back. Some in the crowd were shouting "traitors" as officers tried to quell the riot. But the rioters broke through the police line and began beating on the doors and shattering the glass, breaching the Capitol’s defences. Both chambers of Congress abruptly recessed as they were debating the count of the Electoral College votes that gave Joe Biden the presidency. There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and debate was suspended. A representative from the U.S. Capitol Police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon. An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden's victory. Due to an "external security threat," no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.
2:40 p.m.
Stunning photos and videos captured the chaos inside the nation’s Capitol: security officials with guns drawn on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, pro-Trump rioters fighting with police in the Capitol Rotunda, a mob of the president’s supporters smashing windows and streaming into the building where the nation's leaders had gathered to count votes sealing Biden's victory. Pro-Trump rioters were inside the nation’s Capitol wreaking havoc and clashing with police when members of Congress inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda. // he violent riot inside the US Capitol on Wednesday by a pro-Trump mob and far-right groups seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election have led to calls for those who incited the insurrection to be prosecuted. Were federal agents to investigate the matter, they would find no shortage of examples of inflammatory remarks coming from Donald Trump, his family and close circle in the immediate run-up to the mayhem: Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the prime minister said it was "vital" to take extra measures now "when day by day we are making such strides in protecting the population". (to edit)*
Most Democrats, and many Republicans, put the blame squarely on Trump after hundreds of protesters bearing Trump flags and clothing broke into the Capitol on Wednesday and caused destruction and mass evacuations. The president had urged the supporters to protest as Congress was counting the electoral votes that confirmed Biden’s win. Here is a look at how the chaos unfolded.
11:00 a.m.
President Trump spoke to a group of supporters at an organised rally outside of the White House on the ellipse, where several thousand protesters cheered Trump and his false claims of widespread election fraud. "We will not let them silence your voices," Trump told the protesters. "We will stop the steal." During the rally, Trump told supporters he will "never concede" the election as Republican lawmakers began challenging the Electoral College votes. "We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I love Pennsylvania Avenue, and we’re going to the Capitol," Trump said. Trump put pressure on Pence to toss electors from battleground states that voted for Biden. "I hope Mike is going to do the right thing. I hope so. I hope so," Trump said. "Because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election." as thousands of Trump’s supporters gathered outside the Capitol and began to instigate skirmishes with police, breaking down barriers set up to protect the area. Photos and videos showed rioters scaling walls, breaking down fences, tearing down scaffolding and continuing to overwhelm authorities.
Pro-Trump supporters broke through metal barricades at the back of the Capitol building, and were "running past security guards and breaking fences while chanting ‘USA! USA!,’" according to the Washington Post. Officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep the pro-Trump rioters back. Some in the crowd were shouting "traitors" as officers tried to quell the riot. But the rioters broke through the police line and began beating on the doors and shattering the glass, breaching the Capitol’s defences. Both chambers of Congress abruptly recessed as they were debating the count of the Electoral College votes that gave Joe Biden the presidency. There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and debate was suspended. A representative from the U.S. Capitol Police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon. An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden's victory. Due to an "external security threat," no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.
2:40 p.m.
Stunning photos and videos captured the chaos inside the nation’s Capitol: security officials with guns drawn on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, pro-Trump rioters fighting with police in the Capitol Rotunda, a mob of the president’s supporters smashing windows and streaming into the building where the nation's leaders had gathered to count votes sealing Biden's victory. Pro-Trump rioters were inside the nation’s Capitol wreaking havoc and clashing with police when members of Congress inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda. // he violent riot inside the US Capitol on Wednesday by a pro-Trump mob and far-right groups seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election have led to calls for those who incited the insurrection to be prosecuted. Were federal agents to investigate the matter, they would find no shortage of examples of inflammatory remarks coming from Donald Trump, his family and close circle in the immediate run-up to the mayhem: Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the prime minister said it was "vital" to take extra measures now "when day by day we are making such strides in protecting the population". (to edit)*
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(Riot images © AFP / Reuters / Getty / LA Times / Bloomberg / Fox News)*
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The House of Representatives voted by 232 to 197 to impeach the president for ‘incitement of insurrection’. Democrats and a growing number of previously supportive Republicans now declare he is unfit for office and could yet do more damage after inciting the mob that ransacked the Capitol. “President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government,” reads part of the four-page impeachment bill. “He will remain a threat to national security, democracy and the constitution if allowed to remain in office.” Ten members of Trumps own party joined with the opposition to vote for impeachment – the first time in American history that a president has been impeached twice. Even by Donald Trump standards this is an unbelievable end to his controversial presidency. (to edit)*
Even though Trump`s term in office had less than a week to run, House speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, insisted impeachment was necessary. “The president’s threat to America is urgent, and so too will be our action,” she said. Trump’s actions were personal for Pelosi and many other lawmakers. She was among those forced to huddle in a bunker during the rampage, as armed rioters, many of whom menaced staffers with taunts of “Where’s Nancy?” as they surged toward her office. (to edit)*
After the police eventually regained control of the Capitol building and cleared it of rioters, it came as no surprise that those in charge of security were found to be seriously negligent, not only remaining oblivious to the potential for serious disorder, but also having ignored a wealth of intelligence, including input from the FBI. Within 24 hours as many as 15,000 National Guard personnel had been deployed in and around the Capitol Hill with the Pentagon announcing that 20,000 soldiers in total with lethal weapons would be on hand ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20 to counter any violence and a repeat of the scenes witnessed on 6 January. This total is twice the number of American troops currently in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
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Joe Biden has said it is "time to turn the page" after his presidential election victory was confirmed by the US electoral college. In a speech after the announcement, he said US democracy had been "pushed, tested and threatened" and "proved to be resilient, true and strong". He condemned President Trump's attempts to overturn the result and said the "will of the people prevailed". The confirmation was one of the steps required for Mr Biden to take office.
Under the US system, voters actually cast their ballots for "electors", who in turn, formally vote for candidates weeks after the election. Democrat Joe Biden won November's contest with 306 electoral college votes to Republican Donald Trump's 232. President Trump, who shows few signs of conceding, has not commented. Shortly after the electoral college's vote, he announced on Twitter the departure of Attorney General William Barr, who had said there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the election, despite the president's claims. Speaking in Delaware, Mr Biden praised "ordinary men and women" who had refused to be bullied, referring to the president's efforts to question and overturn the results, involving legal challenges which have been rejected by courts across the country. "The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago," he said. "And we know that nothing not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that flame." Mr Biden said it was time to "turn the page, as we've done throughout our history, to unite, to heal". // Fears of large-scale, widespread armed protests seemed to be unfounded as no serious disorder was reported across the media networks etc (to edit)* |
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(Additional Trump images © Sky News / ??)*
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Jet Airliners
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Now from global events, back to aircraft visiting Glasgow Airport etc* // Loganair has today announced four new routes from the Isle of Man: Belfast City; Birmingham; Jersey; and Southampton. The first, to Belfast City, takes off on 1 April. These routes were previously operated by a motley collection of operators, as discussed later in the article. Loganair will also resume Edinburgh after a year absence. These five routes will mean that Loganair’s Isle of Man network in summer 2021 will total eight, twice as many as easyJet. Loganair currently serves Liverpool, London Heathrow, and Manchester from the island, with Liverpool partly driven by an NHS contract. Read more: Loganair starts Isle of Man – Manchester; a market of 173,300 passengers. The regional carrier will base one Embraer 145 and one ATR-42 at on the island between 28 March and 30 June. From 1 July, its base will comprise three ATR-72s. (to edit)*
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British Airways Holidays has cancelled plans to continue offering breaks to the Caribbean and elsewhere this weekend. Despite the UK in lockdown and other firms halting holidays, the company was continuing sales from this Sunday. However, on Friday BA Holidays said it had decided to withdraw package deals. This week Tui, Jet2 and Virgin Holidays cancelled operations until mid-February because of the tighter rules. In addition to trips to the Caribbean, BA Holidays was still offering breaks to Barbados, Costa Rica, Antigua and St Lucia. The Gov.uk website clearly states: "You should not travel abroad unless it is permitted. This means you must not go on holiday." (to edit)*
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In a reversal of its previous decision, BA Holidays told the BBC on Friday: "We've been in touch with customers due to travel in the coming days and weeks to offer a refund if their travel plans do not meet Government guidelines for permitted travel. "As it's now clear most customers are travelling for leisure, we have decided to withdraw package deals from sale. Customers legally permitted to travel during the lockdown period remain able to book flights for their essential travel via ba.com." The firm told the BBC earlier this week it is still selling breaks because business people use their holiday packages to aid their travel arrangements. International travel in the last few months has flatlined, with tough border restrictions in place for entry into many destinations. This has meant many people have chosen to stay at home and demand has collapsed. (to edit)*
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British Airways had 5 aircraft in storage throughout the month, namely A319s G-DBCA/B/F and A320s G-EUYD & G-MIDS, while the bulk of the carrier`s stored short-haul airliners are now split between Gatwick, Madrid & Palma. Airbus A319/A320/A321 maintenance movements noted at Glasgow in January were G-EUYO which arrived on the 12th, G-TTNH 15 Jan - 11 February, G-EUUX arrived 18 January and G-NEOS on the 27th. It also stayed on into February. On the right is Airbus A319-131 G-EUPT which worked a number of Shuttle flights during January.
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Last year was the toughest on record for the aviation industry, with airlines and airports reporting some of their worst results in their history. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost. "Most travel companies have reacted swiftly and fairly to the new lockdown rules, suspending their programmes and offering refunds or credit notes at a time when the UK travel industry continues to face immense challenges. "The last ten months has been devastating for this industry, with companies rightly returning thousands of pounds in refunds but at the same time getting next to no money back in." (to edit)*
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The first of 2021`s Emirates Dubai - Glasgow flights was operated by Boeing 777-21H(LR) A6-EWC on New Year`s Day. Embraer ERJ-190STD PH-EZX KLM SkyTeam livery etc // Based easyJet Airbus A320-251N G-UZHA (NEO livery) set off at 10:55 hrs for Gran Canaria etc (1st); Airbus A321-251NX F-HNCO (f/v) La Compagnie // Celtic to Dubai for a warm weather training session which seems a strange move considering the global situation with regard to Coronavirus infections and associated restrictions. (2nd); (to edit)*
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Late on Saturday 3 January, Edinburgh Airport closed to traffic due to ice on the runway. A number of inbounds had to divert including the following to Glasgow International: KLM Boeing 737 PH-BCG, easyJet A320s G-EZTR and G-UZHV, plus a trio of Ryanair 737s; EI-DPP, EI-EBZ and EI-EVE. All these diversions night-stopped.
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(Celtic images: © The Sun / STV / Ross MacDonald / SNS Group etc).*
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According to Johns Hopkins University, by the middle of the month, more than two million people around the world have now died with Coronavirus since the pandemic began. In response to more easily transmissible strains, one first identified in South Africa and another in Brazil, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that as of Monday 18 January, the UK would close all travel corridors to protect her citizens. Anyone flying into a UK airport from overseas will have to show proof of a negative COVID test before setting off. the directive follows a ban on travellers from South America and Portugal which came into force on Friday 15 January. The PM said the new rules would be in place until at least 15 February.
"It's precisely because we have the hope of that vaccine and the risk of new strains coming from overseas that we must take additional steps now to stop those strains from entering the country." All travel corridors will close from 04:00 GMT on Monday. After that, arrivals to the UK will need to quarantine for up to 10 days, unless they test negative after five days. Mr Johnson, who said the rules would apply across the UK after talks with the devolved administrations, added that the government would be stepping up enforcement at the border and in the country. Travel corridors were introduced in the summer to allow people travelling from some countries with low numbers of Covid cases to come to the UK without having to quarantine on arrival. Trade body Airlines UK said it supported the latest restrictions "on the assumption" that the government would remove them "when it is safe to do so". Chief executive Tim Alderslade said travel corridors were "a lifeline for the industry" last summer but "things change and there's no doubting this is a serious health emergency". Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was the "right step" but called the timing of the decision "slow again", adding that the public would be thinking "why on earth didn't this happen before". (to edit)*
"It's precisely because we have the hope of that vaccine and the risk of new strains coming from overseas that we must take additional steps now to stop those strains from entering the country." All travel corridors will close from 04:00 GMT on Monday. After that, arrivals to the UK will need to quarantine for up to 10 days, unless they test negative after five days. Mr Johnson, who said the rules would apply across the UK after talks with the devolved administrations, added that the government would be stepping up enforcement at the border and in the country. Travel corridors were introduced in the summer to allow people travelling from some countries with low numbers of Covid cases to come to the UK without having to quarantine on arrival. Trade body Airlines UK said it supported the latest restrictions "on the assumption" that the government would remove them "when it is safe to do so". Chief executive Tim Alderslade said travel corridors were "a lifeline for the industry" last summer but "things change and there's no doubting this is a serious health emergency". Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was the "right step" but called the timing of the decision "slow again", adding that the public would be thinking "why on earth didn't this happen before". (to edit)*
Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-ENA on Monday 4 January etc* Much of the snow on the upper reaches of the hills and mountains had melted but the skyline was still impressive. the Cowal Hills, the Arrochar Alps, the Luss Hills and Ben Lomond etc*
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Please bear in mind that all my images are subject to copyright. They are not free to use and have been embedded with a digital watermark.
Airliners continued with Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EPF Emirates (Expo 2020 green livery) 7th and 8th; Embraer ERJ-170LR G-CIXW Eastern Airways (7th); A321-251NX F-HNCO La Compagnie returned with Celtic from Dubai on the afternoon of the 8th. Thursday 14 January saw no less than four Emirates flights, three of which were Triple-seven 300ERs on a cargo run and Boeing 777-200LR ?? on the standard passenger / cargo service. A6-ENZ, one of the 777-31H(ER)s, landed at 07:55 after holding for over an hour while the runway was blasted clear of snow. After vacating the runway it had to remain on the taxiway for almost another hour until its stand was de-iced. - A6-EWB B777-2 UAE27/28 / A6-ENZ B777-3 UAE25/26 stand 30 arrived 0754 / A6-EGZ B777-3 UAE2641 stand 35 arrived 0935 / A6-ENX B777-3 UAE9381 due approx 1320 (14th); (to edit)*
I was going to photograph Triple-Seven A6-EWB (above) taking off on 20 January but a rain shower moved in restricting visibility.
This sequence shows Boeing 777-21H(LR) A6-EWF landing on Friday 22 January. The weather was ideal for a walk or bike ride although frost remained on areas in shadow. A dusting of snow on the Campsie Fells helped emphasise the airport`s spectacular backdrop. These shots were all taken from the perimeter at the St James end of the airfield. Embraer ERJ-145LU G-CISK Eastern Airways (28th); *
Boeing 777-21H(LR) A6-EWG on Friday 29 January worked what was the last Emirates flight between Glasgow and Dubai for the foreseeable future after the government`s decision to suspend international flights. Overcast conditions and light rain greeted the big jet as it touched down, and it departed on schedule a couple of hours later. As of the 30th of January 2021, the only scheduled passenger flights into or out of Glasgow International were a couple of BA Heathrow Shuttle flights and several daily Loganair connections to the outer isles. The King Airs and helicopters of the Scottish Ambulance Service made up the bulk of the airport`s movements and are likely to do so over the weeks ahead.
Turboprop Airliners
With far fewer passengers travelling during the pandemic, Aer Lingus Regional have been using their smaller capacity ATR 42-600 EI-GEV between Dublin and Glasgow over the past few months. The aircraft is pictured here departing under sunny skies on Friday 22 January. An ATR of ASL Airlines Ireland has been a feature most days, I believe working a cargo run between Newcastle and Glasgow airports, however, on the afternoon of 25 January, ATR 72-202(F) EI-SLW departed Glasgow for Budapest. (to edit)*
From Passenger Workhorse with Flybe to Firefighting Water Bomber
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Canadian aerial firefighting company Conair is purchasing 11 Bombardier-built Dash 8 Q400 turboprops for conversion into aerial firefighting tankers. The acquisition was made public on January 14th, 2021. These planes will see quite a significant transition from their historical role as all 11 aircraft previously flew for collapsed regional UK airline, Flybe. According to Skies Magazine, all 11 of the Q400 aircraft have been purchased from HEH Hamburger EmissionsHaus, through marketing firm Skyworld Aviation, which specialises in regional aircraft sales and leases. (to edit)*
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Interestingly, all 11 aircraft were originally Flybe commuter planes based in Europe. Data from Planespotters.net shows that the aircraft are between 11.7 and 13.5 years old. Some of these were supposed to go on to fly with Flybe successor-airline, Virgin Connect. However, the events of 2020 had dashed those plans. The planes will be delivered to Conair starting this month. Conair says that it evaluated 29 aircraft before selecting the Q400 for modification. In fact, the decision was unanimous among the company’s flight operations experts. The company calls the Q400AT “fast, fuel-efficient, and tactically flexible.” (to edit)* (Following image © FlightGlobal).
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A key factor in selecting this aircraft was that it remains in production and has strong Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) support from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, thus “guaranteeing availability of parts and servicing for years.” Bombardier sold the program to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada in 2019.
“We look forward to manufacturing the Q400 aircraft into airtankers out of our hangars in Abbotsford, British Columbia, employing a group of specialists during a particularly tough time for the aviation industry. It makes us proud that this Canadian-made, De Havilland Canada airframe, powered with Canadian-made Pratt & Whitney engines, will be modified by our team in Canada, and then put into operation around the world to help our partners suppress wildfires for what could be decades.” – Barry Marsden, CEO, Conair, as per a press release shared by Skies.
Conversion to firefighting air tankers. According to Conair, this tank will have a maximum capacity of 10,000 liters (2,642 US gallons). Additionally, the tank that will be installed is external.Once the conversion is completed, the aircraft will be designated as either Q400MR or Q400AT. AT stands for ‘air tanker’ while MR denotes a multi-role capability. This will see the Q400MR be capable of a quick reconfiguration for use in air tanker, cargo, passenger, combi-transport, or medical evacuation missions.
“We look forward to manufacturing the Q400 aircraft into airtankers out of our hangars in Abbotsford, British Columbia, employing a group of specialists during a particularly tough time for the aviation industry. It makes us proud that this Canadian-made, De Havilland Canada airframe, powered with Canadian-made Pratt & Whitney engines, will be modified by our team in Canada, and then put into operation around the world to help our partners suppress wildfires for what could be decades.” – Barry Marsden, CEO, Conair, as per a press release shared by Skies.
Conversion to firefighting air tankers. According to Conair, this tank will have a maximum capacity of 10,000 liters (2,642 US gallons). Additionally, the tank that will be installed is external.Once the conversion is completed, the aircraft will be designated as either Q400MR or Q400AT. AT stands for ‘air tanker’ while MR denotes a multi-role capability. This will see the Q400MR be capable of a quick reconfiguration for use in air tanker, cargo, passenger, combi-transport, or medical evacuation missions.
“The purchase marks the most significant investment Conair has made to date towards developing a fleet of Next Generation aircraft designed to better fight wildfires for years to come,” – via the press release. Below are the specifications for the converted tanker:
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 30,482 kgs. (67,200 lbs)
Tank Capacity: Type 2, 10,000 litres (2,642 US gallons)
Normal En-route Speed: 370 knots (KTAS at 18,000 feet)
Endurance: Three hours (plus reserves)
Crew: Two pilots
Runway: 1400 m / 5000 ft. // PLR 8 with the ability to land loaded. According to Conair’s website, the company safely flies 8,000 to 12,000 aerial firefighting flight hours with over 70 aircraft each year. The outfit has operations in Canada, the USA, France, and Australia. In fact, Conair France has supported France’s Sécurité Civile for over 30 years. // Conair has already proven that converting a Dash 8 into an aerial firefighter can be successful. The company has been converting Dash 8 Q400s into tankers since 2005. (to edit)* website: Conair Aerial Firefighting.
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 30,482 kgs. (67,200 lbs)
Tank Capacity: Type 2, 10,000 litres (2,642 US gallons)
Normal En-route Speed: 370 knots (KTAS at 18,000 feet)
Endurance: Three hours (plus reserves)
Crew: Two pilots
Runway: 1400 m / 5000 ft. // PLR 8 with the ability to land loaded. According to Conair’s website, the company safely flies 8,000 to 12,000 aerial firefighting flight hours with over 70 aircraft each year. The outfit has operations in Canada, the USA, France, and Australia. In fact, Conair France has supported France’s Sécurité Civile for over 30 years. // Conair has already proven that converting a Dash 8 into an aerial firefighter can be successful. The company has been converting Dash 8 Q400s into tankers since 2005. (to edit)* website: Conair Aerial Firefighting.
(Above image © Conair)
Biz-Jets
​Eclipse EA500 2-TABS moments from touchdown on Runway 23. Friday 22 December.
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The only biz-jet to stop over into 2021 was Phenom 300 G-JMBO, which had been parked upon Area J since arriving on 16 December. It finally took to the skies again on 18 January. This year`s first corporate visitor was German-registered Learjet 35A D-CTIL which called in for a time on the 5th. It was followed by Cessna Citation Bravo G-IPLY (left) (10th); Gulfstream GV-SP N600J (f/v) (15th); Eclipse EA500 2-TABS (f/v) (above) plus Citation Bravo G-IPLY returned (22nd); Phenom 300 G-JMBO (25th); // The above gallery shows EA500 taxiing onto its parking spot after arriving on the 22 January. (to edit)*
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Cessna Citation XLS+ D-CSUN // etc. I didn`t photograph it on this occasion, but this member of the Air Hamburg fleet has made numerous visits to Glasgow Airport over the years. I took the above shot back on Friday 21 October 2005. Eclipse Aerospace EA-500 OE-FXJ (f/v) was the last of only a handful of biz-jets that visited this month. (31st). (to edit)*
More Biz-Jets from the Archives
With so few visiting biz-jets this month etc gallery / no routing info etc* // Yakovlev Yak-42D RA-42427 // of the Marco Group which visited Glasgow on Saturday 30 September 2006. The 42D is a long-range version with additional fuel capacity which replaced standard Yak-42 in production. The Yakovlev Yak-42 (Russian: Яковлев Як-42; NATO reporting name: "Clobber") is a 100/120-seat three-engined mid-range passenger jet. It was the first airliner produced in the Soviet Union to be powered by modern high-bypass turbofan engines. (to edit)*
Above: Learjet 40 G-MOOO starts its takeoff run. Possibly 6 March 2006. CitationJet CJ3 N312CJ is pictured below right. 20.10.05.
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Dassault Falcon 900B I-FICV (above left) of Compagnia Aeronautica Italiana (CAI)) was snapped on 17.9.05.
All black Learjet 60 N838RC visited in September 2005.
Bombardier Global 6000 N626JS called in that October.
Above: US Gulfstream G-IV N877A. Wednesday 17 August 2005. This biz-jet has made numerous visits to Glasgow Airport over the years.
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IAI 1124A Westwind II N122MP info* Saturday 17 September 2005.
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Above: These MAHA Air Learjet 45s were both snapped on 26 September 2005. One is D-CEWR and the other unidentified.
Falcon 2000 N905B. Saturday 15 October 2005.
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Above: Further shots of Canadian-registered Learjet 45XR C-GJCY which visited in September 2005.
Bombardier Learjet 45 G-OLDR was snapped the day before.
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Ready for departure, US Falcon 900B N94NA heads for Alpha One on Thursday 27 October 2005.
Below: Raytheon Hawker 800XP CS-DNX and Citation Excel N560S parked on Area Juliet. Respective dates not recorded...
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General Aviation
January 2021 saw the following GA movements: Beech King Air 200 G-BGRE (6th); King Air 200 G-IASB (12th); Cessna T303 Crusader G-CMOS and Diamond DA62 G-IRJE (13th); Sikorsky S-92A Helibus G-WNSD (f/v) of CHC Helicopter Service (16th); King Air 200 G-FLYK (17th); King Air 350 N1090B (f/v) (18th); Cessna T303 Crusader G-CMOS and King Air 200 G-IASB both made a return visit (25th); Mitsubishi MU-2P D-IAHT (f/v), plus King Air 200s G-FSEU and G-WNCH (27th); King Air 200s G-IASB and G-WNCH (28th); On Saturday 30 January, Airbus Helicopters AS355 Ecureuil G-PDGP etc // `Osprey 60` Skelmorlie following the south side of the Clyde to Langbank before cutting inland and heading for the city. appeared to be carrying out a railway line check. Plus, King Air 200s G-BGRE and G-FSEU called in at the airport that day.* King Air 200 G-FLYW then, last to visit this month, Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar G-GOTC did go-arounds of Runway 05 at 14:45 & 15:05 hrs (31st). (to edit)*
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Face coverings are still the order of the day for anyone indoors in public areas including airports. Even two Glasgow resident lights G-EVIE and G-FKOS were masked-up, but in this case to protect them from the winter weather. These aircraft can also bee seen on the far right of the following shot of the snow covered Campsie Fells which was taken from the Paisley Moss Nature Reserve.
Military
The first military aircraft to visit Glasgow Airport in 2021 was British Aerospace BAe 146-2 C.3 ZE708 which did a number of circuits on Tuesday 5 January before landing for a time. This aircraft, which previously served with several civilian operators, has been in service with the Royal Air Force since March 2012. Next for a spot of training was Britten-Norman BN-2T-4S Defender AL2 ZH001 of the Army Air Corps, call-sign `AAC 530`on Saturday 9 January, reappearing on the 20th. The Luftwaffe, which I believe operated the majority of military training flights at Glasgow International last year, made their first appearance of 2021 with Airbus A319-133(CJ) 15+02, callsign `GAF 880` which did a go-around of Runway 05 about 13:10 hrs on Thursday 14 January.
This month`s highlight was undoubtedly the appearance of Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 ZH101 (callsign `NATO 32`) which did a go-around on Thursday 21 January. Commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning & Control System), the distinctive plane arrived about 16:10 hrs in fading light just as C-130J Hercules ZH866 `Ascot 2221` was manoeuvring for the last of several training circuits. I only discovered these RAF aircraft were operating in the local area after a chance look at Freedar. With Runway 23 in use there was just enough time to snap the inbound E-3D from the back window. Although these long distance shots aren`t great I was pleased at catching the Sentry and Herc in the dame frame. The Sentry may have went round for a second pass if it hadn`t been for an inbound Loganair Embraer commuter jet. Instead it headed south for its Waddington base.
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At approx 12:30 hrs on Tuesday 26 January, Bombardier Global 6000 14+07 `GAF 686` made a go-around of Runway 05. Then, the following day, BAe146-2 ZE707 called in for a time on a visit that was no doubt linked with PM Boris Johnson`s arrival the following day.
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As previously mentioned, sister aircraft ZE708, seen here, served as Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s taxi on his visit to Scotland on 28 January.
It made another visit the next day when the following telephoto shot was taken...
Wedgetails for Lossiemouth
(Above artist`s impression and aerial photo both © Royal Air Force)
Last month it was announced that the RAF`s fleet of Boeing E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft will operated from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Northeast Scotland. The five planes on order will be delivered between 2023 and 2026, replacing the Boeing Sentry AEW1s currently based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. The movement of the RAF`s AEW&C aircraft will co-locate them with the Poseidon MRA1 fleet, another type based on the Boeing 737 airliner, albeit a different variant. No.8 Squadron, which operated Shackletons from Lossiemouth until 1990, will returned to the airfield as a result. Two of the Wedgetails are second hand including ex-Deer Jet 737-700 BBJ1 N946BC which was built in 2010 and arrived in the UK for conversion on 7 January. The work will be undertaken by STS Aviation Services at Birmingham.
Lossiemouth is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations which protect UK airspace. In general terms, RAF Lossiemouth protects the UK's northern airspace, and RAF Coningsby protects the south. Team Lossie is currently made up of four Typhoon combat aircraft squadrons, one Poseidon MRA1 squadron, and an RAF Regiment squadron. Aircraft and crews are maintained on high alert in order to scramble and intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. The station`s personnel and aircraft also support operations worldwide and host numerous national and international exercises, including the bi-annual Joint Warrior. This dramatic shot of a Typhoon lifting off from a wet runway at Lossie was available for sharing via the Reddit website but I couldn`t see any information as to the photographer to attribute a credit.
Construction & Development
These distant views of the development area off Abbotsinch Road were taken from the Gleniffer Braes on Monday 4 January.
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By the 20th of January (below right), all sections of the dismantled bridge, which had been stacked awaiting inspection following the accident on the night of 22/23 November last year, had been removed from the site. Either the pieces have been taken to a secure location for a more detailed inspection, or possibly the entire structure will have been written off requiring replacement.
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The first building to be erected on the site continues to take shape.
The shot below was taken on January 29th...
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Following on from last month`s entry, Campsie Kitchen, which previously operated as Campsie Snacks, still has a small outlet in Campsie Drive (left) along from the British Airways Maintenance hangar. The Campsie Kitchen site here had been cleared recently and had all the hallmarks of a business going bust.
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However, a brand new portacabin, pictured below, is now in situ. Their main outlet beside the Airport Taxi feeder rank to the west of the terminal is still getting some trade and this one should be ready to spring back into action as soon as applicable lockdown restrictions are lifted. The owners still face a major challenge though as much of its custom comprised of workers from the adjacent airline catering and freight businesses, as well as coach drivers and the said airport taxi drivers.
Garden Visitors
As mentioned last month, our wee fox, a great source of entertainment over the past year, hasn`t been seen for some time and is presumed dead.
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A couple of squirrels show up most days and have so far managed to avoid the clutches of the local cats.
If the squirrels are nowhere to be seen, the cats chase one another instead.
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Out and About
Although I`ve stayed in Erskine for many years, and visited the Bargarran Shopping Centre numerous times, I`d never ventured up the Craigend Hill which is only a few hundred metres away from the car park. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is as a vantage point with views not only of the bridge, but panoramas in every direction, albeit some are partially obscured by trees growing on the upper slopes.
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Looking southward, part of the airport is visible although wires from electricity pylons cut across the scene. A gap in the trees enables a view of the River Clyde beside the Titan Crane on the site of the old John Brown`s Shipyard. Bishopton is shown below with the snow capped Cowal Hills in the background...
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Muirshiel Country Park
On 2 January the weather was superb and ideal for a day on the hills. Current travel restrictions ruled out leaving your own council area, so the high tops were out. Muirshiel Country Park above Lochwinnoch qualified for me as it`s in Renfrewshire and although the terrain here is nowhere near as dramatic as the rugged tops on the north side of the Clyde, it makes an ideal destination for a leisurely leg stretch.
I timed my arrival at the car park to coincide with first light. The above view of the impressive sunrise was taken from the road in and conditions were so clear that the moon remained visible in the sky for much of the morning. Windy Hill at just 316 metres above sea level is the most popular summit and easily reached in about 15-20 minutes. Rather than retracing your steps, there are several small bumps to the north and west to aim for before you regain the riverside track, making a more worthwhile circuit than a straight out-and-back.
The undulating moorland is usually very boggy but the crisp conditions made for easy walking. There was a bit of a haze looking towards the city but the storage tanks at the Clydebank Oil Terminal were immediately identifiable as was Glasgow Airport.
Although the sky was clear and the visibility excellent in every other direction, I never spotted a single flyover during my outing. The only aircraft seen was Loganair Twin Otter G-HIAL, inbound for the airport. These aircraft have been operating continuously to Campbeltown and the islands of Scotland`s West Coast, providing a vital link to these communities during the pandemic.
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The wee dog in the following shot was clearly enjoying being out in the snow.
Closer to home, I wandered down to the Riverside Walkway a few times to capture the sunrise but never saw an inbound airliner or ship to add to the scene.
Above: This small gallery shows the Black Cart Water around dawn, taken from the Barnsford Road bridge.
It`s always great to see Roe Deer in the local area.
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This trio remained in range of my compact camera.
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January 2021
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February 2021
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March 2021
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April 2021
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May 2021
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June 2021
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July 2021
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August 2021
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September 2021
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October 2021
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November 2021
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December 2021
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