Glasgow Airport Movements 2021
March
*Page under construction*
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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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This months marked a year since the first positive COVID-19 test was recorded in the UK, //
By 1 March 2021, 123,000 people had died with COVID recorded on their death certificate. // a total of 20,275,451 people have now received their first COVID-19 dose while 815,816 people have had both.
BBC: Police Scotland has condemned Rangers for failing to ask fans to return home after they gathered in Glasgow for title celebrations. A senior officer said there had been a "lack of support" from the club despite repeated requests from police. Earlier Deputy First Minister John Swinney also criticised Rangers for a "lack of leadership". Rangers insisted its fans had been urged to follow the lockdown guidelines. Large numbers of supporters flouted Covid rules to gather at Ibrox Stadium and Glasgow's George Square on Sunday after the club won the Scottish. Premiership. confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions on March 7.
Officers made 28 arrests and handed out fixed penalty notices for a variety of offences including assaulting police officers, sectarian-related breaches of the peace, breaking Covid rules, and use of pyrotechnics. Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said the behaviour of some supporters was "disgraceful". He added: "I also strongly condemn the lack of support from Rangers Football Club over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home. "We've been planning for the conclusion of the football season for some time since the league was allowed to resume and the sport is in a very privileged position given the restrictions seen across the country for almost a year. "It was very clear through the lack of messaging that Rangers did not take seriously their responsibilities in terms of seeking to persuade their fans to celebrate safely and responsibly."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney condemned the scenes as "an absolute disgrace" which had undermined recent progress against the virus. He said Rangers had been reminded of the need for fans to adhere to the restrictions by the Scottish government and Police Scotland during meetings on 26 February and 5 March. "The Scottish government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management." Mr Swinney acknowledged that the title win was a "special moment" for the club and praised those fans who celebrated at home but he said it was "shameful" to see so many people deliberately flouting the rules. "Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus and they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across Scotland who have stuck to the rules, who have not been able to meet up with friends and family to fully celebrate birthdays and other milestones or, in some case, attend funeral services of their loved ones," he said at the government's coronavirus briefing.
Under current Scottish government coronavirus guidance, public gatherings are banned and a maximum of two people from two households are allowed to meet outdoors. Glasgow City Council said a number of memorial benches donated by grieving relatives were damaged in George Square, and that it was working to trace the families. The council promised that the benches, one of which was apparently in memory of a 10-year-old girl, would be restored. A crowdfunding appeal to pay for the repairs, set up by the owner of the Louden Tavern at Ibrox Stadium, quickly raised its £5,500 target, with any extra funds being donated to the Anthony Nolan cancer charity. Rangers took the title for the first time since 2011 after Celtic failed to beat Dundee United on Sunday 7 March. Crowds of fans took to the streets after the game. Some let off flares while others chanted and waved flags outside the club ground, while supporters also gathered in George Square to celebrate.
Rangers issued a statement on Monday, in which the club said it had "proactively engaged" with its local MP, the justice minister, the Scottish government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in a bid to to maintain "a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic". The statement continued: "We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club. "Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season-ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade. "We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines - stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time."
Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith warned there was a "real risk" the celebrations would lead to a spike in COVID infections in the coming weeks.
He added: "It was quite demoralising to see so many people coming together. "I am sure my colleagues across the NHS who at this stage in the pandemic are pretty exhausted felt the same way when they saw so many people mixing so freely without distancing or masks." Football supporters have also been accused of breaking coronavirus rules in Belfast and in Corby - which is known as "little Scotland" - following Rangers' win. Last May thousands of Liverpool fans flouted social distancing guidelines and gathered outside Anfield to celebrate the club's first Premier league title in 30 years. And in November hundreds of Celtic supporters defied the level four restrictions and converged on Celtic Park to call for the removal of the club's then manager Neil Lennon. (to edit)*
Officers made 28 arrests and handed out fixed penalty notices for a variety of offences including assaulting police officers, sectarian-related breaches of the peace, breaking Covid rules, and use of pyrotechnics. Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said the behaviour of some supporters was "disgraceful". He added: "I also strongly condemn the lack of support from Rangers Football Club over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home. "We've been planning for the conclusion of the football season for some time since the league was allowed to resume and the sport is in a very privileged position given the restrictions seen across the country for almost a year. "It was very clear through the lack of messaging that Rangers did not take seriously their responsibilities in terms of seeking to persuade their fans to celebrate safely and responsibly."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney condemned the scenes as "an absolute disgrace" which had undermined recent progress against the virus. He said Rangers had been reminded of the need for fans to adhere to the restrictions by the Scottish government and Police Scotland during meetings on 26 February and 5 March. "The Scottish government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management." Mr Swinney acknowledged that the title win was a "special moment" for the club and praised those fans who celebrated at home but he said it was "shameful" to see so many people deliberately flouting the rules. "Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus and they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across Scotland who have stuck to the rules, who have not been able to meet up with friends and family to fully celebrate birthdays and other milestones or, in some case, attend funeral services of their loved ones," he said at the government's coronavirus briefing.
Under current Scottish government coronavirus guidance, public gatherings are banned and a maximum of two people from two households are allowed to meet outdoors. Glasgow City Council said a number of memorial benches donated by grieving relatives were damaged in George Square, and that it was working to trace the families. The council promised that the benches, one of which was apparently in memory of a 10-year-old girl, would be restored. A crowdfunding appeal to pay for the repairs, set up by the owner of the Louden Tavern at Ibrox Stadium, quickly raised its £5,500 target, with any extra funds being donated to the Anthony Nolan cancer charity. Rangers took the title for the first time since 2011 after Celtic failed to beat Dundee United on Sunday 7 March. Crowds of fans took to the streets after the game. Some let off flares while others chanted and waved flags outside the club ground, while supporters also gathered in George Square to celebrate.
Rangers issued a statement on Monday, in which the club said it had "proactively engaged" with its local MP, the justice minister, the Scottish government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in a bid to to maintain "a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic". The statement continued: "We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club. "Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season-ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade. "We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines - stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time."
Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith warned there was a "real risk" the celebrations would lead to a spike in COVID infections in the coming weeks.
He added: "It was quite demoralising to see so many people coming together. "I am sure my colleagues across the NHS who at this stage in the pandemic are pretty exhausted felt the same way when they saw so many people mixing so freely without distancing or masks." Football supporters have also been accused of breaking coronavirus rules in Belfast and in Corby - which is known as "little Scotland" - following Rangers' win. Last May thousands of Liverpool fans flouted social distancing guidelines and gathered outside Anfield to celebrate the club's first Premier league title in 30 years. And in November hundreds of Celtic supporters defied the level four restrictions and converged on Celtic Park to call for the removal of the club's then manager Neil Lennon. (to edit)*
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(Football related images © BBC / Getty / PA Media / The Guardian / The National / Daily Record / Getty / Scottish Sun)
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Determined that there would be no repeat of the scenes experienced on March 7, fans were warned that if they gathered outside in large numbers for the Old Firm Game Sunday on Sunday 21 March, the match may be postponed. A huge police operation was launched in a bid to deter supporters from not only gathering at Parkhead, but also at Ibrox Stadium and in the City Centre. It remained very quiet in Glasgow`s East End before the match, with only a handful of fans showing up. Where small groups of people did gather, officers engaged and encouraged them to disperse and return home. Both Rangers and Celtic FC, as well as their supporters, were thanked for taking responsibility in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and no football related arrests were made. The game ended a one-all draw with goals from Gers star Alfredo Morelos and Celtic winger Mohamed Amine Elyounoussi.
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There were fears the game would be cancelled after thousands of Rangers fans breached lockdown rules to gather in the streets of Glasgow after their side were confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions on March 7. However, it was rubber stamped by the Scottish Government with both Glasgow giants urging fans to stay home with messages from the likes of Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and Celtic caretaker manager John Kennedy. (to edit)*
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There were more anti-lockdown protests across mainland Europe as well as a number in the UK, some of which turned violent. What began as heated, but largely peaceful demonstrations, in London (above) and Bristol (below) were apparently hijacked by a minority intent on causing violence and mayhem.Following a second night of rioting in the latter city, Avon and Somerset Constabulary struggled to cope and called for mutual support from other forces. This second protest came two days after a peaceful demonstration against the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill erupted into chaos with a police station attacked, 21 officers injured and police vehicles set alight. Bristol ended up experiencing four mass demos within a 10 day period.
Very few arrests were made at the time, mainly due to the limited resources and the risk of escalating an already volatile situation, but CCTV footage helped identify some of the main players, a number of whom were arrested in the days that followed. Meanwhile, despite an increasing number of MP`s being opposed to extending the emergency legislation which gives the government sweeping powers for another six months, the vast number were in favour and the motion passed comfortably.
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Foreign travel / holidays*
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According to the CAA, Glasgow International Airport`s passenger figures for January 2021 totalled 29,068 which is down 91.3% on the same month last year. February 2021 saw just 16,119 passengers pass through the terminal, a drop of 96.9%. Looking ahead to November, hoteliers have begun bumping up room rates for the UN Climate Change Conference in the city, some by more than 500 per cent. The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) will run for almost a fortnight, bringing in a welcome boost in trade for the hard=pressed hospitality trade, other local businesses and transport companies. Some critics argue that the exorbitant hotel and rental apartment prices being asked could impact negatively on the impression 30,000 delegates take from their time in Glasgow.
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For example, booking.com is offering a four-bedroom duplex apartment in the city centre for a staggering £34,986 for a 14-night period around conference time. Meanwhile, the rate being charged for the Blythswood Square Apartments works out at just under £2,500 per night. Establishments closer to the SEC Campus also admit they are cashing in on the huge demand for beds and their proximity to the conference venue is reflected in the booking fee. Expected numbers of attendees may be drastically reduced though.
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Jet Airliners
A pair of Boeing 737-8 MAX etc // EI-RZA NOS01 stand 6 arrived 0910 // EI-RZB NOS02 stand 8 arrived 0926 departed / gas `n` go, spending just 45 minutes on the deck at Glasgow etc. (to edit) * Wednesday 31 March //
Stop over ex-Alaska Airlines * There was a fair amount of fog about on the morning of March 1 and low-vis procedures were in force etc // Local enthusiasts were disappointed to find that the American carrier`s livery had been painted over Stateside etc // Set off slightly behind schedule for Palma, Majorca, etc* (LINK)?*
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Above: Sunwing 737 etc G-TAWN was a stopover from last month. etc*
Jet2 Boeing 737-8BK G-DRTH took to the air on Monday 1 March for a couple of circuits.
Above: easyJet Airbus A320-251N G-UZLL departs on a misty March 1st. Embraer ERJ-145MP G-CHMR of Eastern Airways flew in from Lille to operate a service to Alesund, Norway, on Thursday 4 March, presumably for oil industry workers. Eastern Embraer ERJ-145LR G-CISK made another Glasgow - Alesund flight on the 23rd.
Airbus A319-131 G-EUPO worked a morning Shuttle flight on the 15th.
easyJet Airbus A320-251N G-UZHP (below) was next to land...
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BA Airbus A320-232 G-EUUW flew in / relocated from Palma on 5 March etc* // Airbus A321-211 G-POWN Titan Airways operated a flight on the 10th to take Rangers to Prague for the match against SK Slavia Prague etc *, returning with the team, who had managed a 1-1 draw, on the 12th. A rain shower moved in just as I was about to snap the Gers` taxi on finals from my back window. Boeing 737-81D(WL) OK-TSE Smartwings etc* arrived on the 16th and remained until the 19th etc (to edit)*
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Match info* // Prague team`s taxi OK-TSE is pictured below on the ?? shortly before pushing back. etc*
WC Qualifier: Scotland v Austria // Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Thursday, 25 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT*
SunClass Airlines, previously operating as Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, is a charter airline based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The carrier operates services to destinations around Europe and the Mediterranean in addition to long-haul haul services. SunClass previously operated tour services under the Thomas Cook Group, under the brand Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia. On 20-Sep-2019, Thomas Cook Group announced discussions with a range of key stakeholders and lending institutions to secure final terms on the recapitalisation and reorganisation of the group failed to reach an agreement. As a result, Thomas Cook's board concluded it has no choice but to enter compulsory liquidation. Thomas Cook confirmed that all the UK companies in its group have ceased trading, including Thomas Cook Airlines. Vinggruppen (Ving Group), a former Thomas Cook Group subsidiary, confirmed Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia will continue to operate services as an independent entity, effective 24-Sep-2019. Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia rebranded as SunClass Airlines on 30-Oct-2019. (to edit)*
On Saturday 13 March, British Airways Boeing 777-36N(ER) G-STBD flew in on a cargo-only run, presumably delivering PPE, arriving here late morning. etc // Then, a week later Boeing 777-236ER G-YMMT operated an identical service from Bangkok. The aircraft etc is pictured below on finals on Saturday 20 March...
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Jet2 G-DRTF arrived at Glasgow on Friday 19 March, presumably for storage. British Airways Airbus A320-251N G-TTNO (f/v) flew in late evening that day and night stopped to operate an early Shuttle the following morning.
Around midday on Wednesday 24 March, OY-TCI of Sunclass Airlines flew in from Vienna, with the Austrian national football team for the first round in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers etc*
Airbus A319-131 G-EUPJ British Airways (BEA Retro Livery) worked a late Shuttle from Heathrow on the 26th, night-stopping before heading south the following morning. Malta Air Boeing 737-8AS(WL) 9H-QDQ (f/v) flew in from Venice on Saturday 27 March. This carrier is a subsidiary of Ryanair and was operating a rugby charter, bringing the Benetton team to Scotland to play Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium. The home side won 46-25.
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The Malta Air 737 is still in Ryanair colours and it`s been a while since a plane sporting the Irish carrier`s livery, once commonplace here, has been seen at Glasgow. Another airline noticeable by its absence was KLM but as a result of some travel restrictions easing towards the end of the month, the Dutch carrier resumed a limited service from Amsterdam Schiphol which was kicked-off by Embraer ERJ-175STD PH-EX, pictured on finals on the left. It flew in on Sunday 28th, after the clocks moved forward an hour into British Summer Time (BST).
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Rounding up the last of the football-related charters, Atlantic Airways Airbus A320-251N OY-RCL with Faroe Islands titles flew in from Vienna, arriving at Glasgow shortly before midday on Tuesday 30 March etc* // Match report*
(Match images © BBC / Scottish Sun / Daily Record)
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Icelandair has announced it was resuming Boeing 737-MAX operations on March 8, 2021, becoming the third European airline to do so after TUI fly (Belgium) and Smartwings (Czech Republic). Ahead of the planned restart, the Icelandic flag carrier ferried two of its Boeing 737-8 MAXs, TF-ICN and TF-ICO, back to Keflavik from storage at Lleida, Spain.
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It initially plans to use just two aircraft on its scheduled network, with the first flight slated for Copenhagen Kastrup. A further two Boeing 737-8s and Icelandair's only Boeing 737-9 remain in storage at Lleida while its fifth MAX-8 has been stored at Keflavik. Besides the six 737 MAX airliners already delivered, it`s thought that the carrier expects a further six units (three -8s and three -9s) from lessors with deliveries scheduled between now and February 2022. Three of Icelandair`s first batch of six Boeing 737 MAX 8s, including TF-ICU, pictured below on finals in March 2019, had already made numerous appearances at Glasgow before the world-wide grounding of the type.
Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 crashed shortly after take off from Jakarta on 9 January 2021. The flight, operated by 737-500 registered PK-CLC, departed at 07:36 UTC (14:36 local time). The last ADS-B signal from the aircraft was received by Flightradar24 at 07:40 UTC.
Update 1 — 10 January
Indonesian authorities stated Sunday 10 January that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder had been located and that retrieval of the black boxes would likely take place on Monday 11 January.
Update 2 — 12 January
Divers recovered the Flight Data Recorder from SJ182 on 12 January and transferred it to investigators. Readout of the FDR is expected to take a few days. The search for the Cockpit Voice Recorder is ongoing.
Update 3 — 10 February
Indonesian investigators have released their preliminary report on the crash of SJ182. The report is a factual report only and does not draw any conclusions about the cause of the crash.
The investigators note that the thrust lever of the left engine began decreasing as the aircraft climbed through 8,150 feet, while the thrust lever for the right engine remained at climb power. The thrust from the left engine continued to decrease as the aircraft climbed to 10,900 feet—the highest recorded altitude—at which point the autopilot disengaged and the aircraft rolled to the left more than 45°.
Update 4 — 31 March
Investigators announced the recovery of the cockpit voice recorder from SJ182 this week. Divers had been searching for the memory unit from the CVR since the crash. The casing and emergency beacon had been found relatively quickly, but the memory unit had separated from the beacon. (to edit)*
Update 1 — 10 January
Indonesian authorities stated Sunday 10 January that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder had been located and that retrieval of the black boxes would likely take place on Monday 11 January.
Update 2 — 12 January
Divers recovered the Flight Data Recorder from SJ182 on 12 January and transferred it to investigators. Readout of the FDR is expected to take a few days. The search for the Cockpit Voice Recorder is ongoing.
Update 3 — 10 February
Indonesian investigators have released their preliminary report on the crash of SJ182. The report is a factual report only and does not draw any conclusions about the cause of the crash.
The investigators note that the thrust lever of the left engine began decreasing as the aircraft climbed through 8,150 feet, while the thrust lever for the right engine remained at climb power. The thrust from the left engine continued to decrease as the aircraft climbed to 10,900 feet—the highest recorded altitude—at which point the autopilot disengaged and the aircraft rolled to the left more than 45°.
Update 4 — 31 March
Investigators announced the recovery of the cockpit voice recorder from SJ182 this week. Divers had been searching for the memory unit from the CVR since the crash. The casing and emergency beacon had been found relatively quickly, but the memory unit had separated from the beacon. (to edit)*
Volcano etc // Drone footage (LINK)*
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(Volcano images © BBC etc)*
Turboprop Airliners
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Intro* // On Friday 12 March, Blue Islands ATR72-500 G-ISLM flew in from Cardiff late morning. Another shot from my back window etc* //
Above: ex Loganair Saab 340b G-LGNZ, pictured here on Monday 22 March, had arrived the previous morning bearing the Dutch registration PH-CUA. The aircraft departed about 18:25 hrs on Monday 23 March on a JetNetherlands flight to Liege, Belgium etc*
Ready for departure, Loganair Saab 340B G-LGND heads for `Bravo One` on 19 March.
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.
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ATR 72-600 EI-FAU Aer Lingus Regional on finals for Runway 23. Monday 15 March 2021.
Following the Brexit conclusion, Stobart Air will transfer two ATR 72 aircraft to a new UK company, to allow flights to other parts of the UK from Belfast City airport. It’s expected that the Aer Lingus Regional brand will be retained, though both aircraft involved are currently sporting an all-white livery with no markings.
Biz-Jets
(Above image © Air Charter Scotland)
Air Charter Scotland`s CitationJet CJ2 G-NOCM is now based at Glasgow Airport, having flown in on Wednesday 17 March 2021 to begin operations. The company, which has had its offices at Glasgow for 20 years, hasn`t had an aircraft positioned out of the airport since 2008. Air Charter Scotland COO Derek Thomson said `This is terrific timing for discerning private jet customers, many of them new to charter, who are responding to the restrictions and reduced scheduled service frequencies brought about by the pandemic. Light jets are the most popular charter aircraft in the UK right now and this one with its enhanced performance benefits will be a popular addition to our fleet,` Thomson added. `The CJ2 features new paint, dual Garmin GTN avionics, a refurbished six-seat interior, and Tamarack Atlas winglets. Additionally, the light twin underwent a two-week maintenance check before its placement at Glasgow Airport.` The company also operates bases at London Luton and London Biggin Hill airports. Beginning in January, ACS created Air Charter Scotland Europe and a new European air operator’s certificate with an initial two aircraft, namely a Cessna Citation CJ3 based in Malta and a Bombardier Challenger 350 based in Nice, France.
First corporate visitors for Glasgow Airport this month were Learjet 40 M-DMBP, Eclipse EA500 2-TAKA and Cessna Citation XLS G-RSXP on 2 March. Following on were Cessna CitationJet CJ1 G-KION (3rd); Eclipse EA500 2-TAKA again (4th); Citation XLS G-RSXP (7th); Eclipse EA500 2-DEWS (8th); Cessna Citation Bravo G-CMBC (9th); Cessna Citation Bravo G-SPRE (15th); Learjet 35A D-CTWO and CitationJet CJ2 G-NOCM (17th); Gulfstream G650ER N400J and Citation XLS+ G-RSXP (18th); Bombardier Global 5000 M-PORT (19th)...
Citation XLS G-NJAC made a couple of visits this month, the first on Saturday 20 March.
Corporate movements continued with Learjet 35A D-CCCB of DRF Luftrettung (German Air Rescue) on the 20th; Hawker Beechcraft 400XP SP-ATT (21st); Another Air Charter Scotland corporate jet, Embraer Legacy 500 G-ESNA, visited on the 24th, departing for Biggin Hill. Next, CitationJet CJ2 G-SOVZ on the 25th; Eclipse Aerospace EA550 2-RAYS and Embraer Phenom 300 G-KRBN (26th); Learjet 45 C-GMSY Starlink Aviation (27th) and finally Pilatus PC-24 HB-VRF Lakeside Aviation stopped in on 28 March.
General Aviation
Intro // King Air 200 G-IASA (2nd); King Air 200 G-FLYW (4th); King Air 200 G-FLYK (6th); King Air 200 G-NIAB (7th); Cessna 310Q N850KF, plus Piper PA-28s G-ELUE, G-CLEA, G-XAVI, G-VICC and G-SNUZ all called in for a time, parking on Area W beside the Flying Club on the north side of the airfield (9th); King Air 200 G-FLYK returned (10th); King Air 200s G-BGRE and G-IASC (11th); King Air 200 G-REXA (12th); King Air 200 G-NIAB (13th); King Air 200 G-OLIV (16th); King Air 200 G-FSEU (17th); The Sikorsky S-92As of HM Coastguard are seldom seen down this way these days, with the smaller AW189s doing most of the patient transfers, but G-MCGG made a visit to the Golden Jubilee Hospital at Dalmuir around 4.30 am on Thursday 18 March, no doubt waking up hundreds of local residents on both sides of the Clyde in the process.
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Above: Thales Beech 200 Super King Air G-FPLD was parked on the Gama apron on 1 March after being rolled out of the hangar.
Glasgow resident Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk II G-BSFE.
King Air 200 G-IASB visited on the 19th. King Air 200 G-OLIV returned (21st); King Air 200 G-IASA visited again (24th); King Air 200 G-FLYW (26th); King Air 200 G-FLYK and Airbus Helicopters AS365N3+ Dauphin 2 G-NHAD (27th); Diamond DA62 G-IRJE, plus King Air 200s G-GMAF and G-FLYW again (29th); Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian 2-COOK (30th); King Air 200 G-IASB returned (31st).
Below: PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III G-EGPF was previously on the Swedish Register as SE-GVV...
Military
`Viper One` etc // ZJ213 AH64 AAC change of callsign `Vendeta One` 1818 (test flight?) arr 1823 on Monday 1 March and stayed for another night, finally departing the following day.
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Two Lossiemouth-based P-8A Poseidons visited Glasgow International on a training sortie on the afternoon of Wednesday 3 March. Runway 05 was in operation and after a few circuits at Belfast, the first ZP801 `Stingray One` carried out 3 touch & gos between 14:15 - 14:55 hrs. It was followed a short time later by ZP804 `Sealion Two` which did a couple of similar manoeuvres.
On Friday 5 March, into the early hours of the following day, Glasgow International seemed more like a military base rather than a civilian airport. First to appear was P-8A ZP801 `Stingray Two`which returned for some training, then BAe146-1 ZE701 called in for a time. After dark, presumably connected with a military exercise, no less than 2 Hercules, 2 Chinooks and 2 Apache gunships took up temporary residence here on the north side of the airfield. The aircraft were RAF C-130Js ZH874`Omen One` which flew in from Leuchars and landed about 20:00 hrs, and ZH866 `Omen Two`; RAF CH-47s ZK550 and ZK553, both using `Lifter` callsigns; plus Army Air Corps WAH-64D Apache AH1s ZJ191`Viper One` and ZJ224 `Viper Two`, the latter pair departing at 00:20 and 00:35 hrs on the 6th, along with the Hercs, the noise from their engines waking up numerous local residents in the process. A pair of Beech Shadow R1 (Super King Air 350s) were also operating with ZZ504 `Snake 54`, which had been performing wide high-level circuits over the Clyde Estuary and Argyll, landing at Glasgow for a time. The other Shadow was working a similar pattern over the Border Region. The `Omen` C-130 duo returned the following evening with ZH866 doing a touch & go of Runway 23 at 18:50 hrs followed by ZH874 doing likewise 8 minutes later (7th); Belfast-based Army Air Corps Britten-Norman BN-2T ZG997 `AAC522` landed for a short time and ZG845 `AAC524` did a touch and go about 12:45 hrs on Tuesday 9 March.
AH-64D Apache gunships ZJ198 and ZJ226, both using `Viper` callsigns, arrived PM on Friday 12 March with ZJ198 (above) night-stopping into Saturday. An additional military visitor on the 12th was RAF BAe146-1 ZE707 which was followed by ZE701 `Kittyhawk 35` on Monday 15 March. The aircraft, pictured below, landed about 10:30 hrs to drop off Cabinet Minister Michael Gove and his entourage.
Normally RAF VIP transports like this would park on the Royal Pan adjoining Area Juliet but as the adjacent taxiway was being resurfaced, Area R next to the RVP gate in Abbotsinch Road was allocated, giving the handful of onlookers an even closer view.
HMS Queen Elizabeth`s First Visit to the Clyde.
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On the morning of Monday 15 March, HMS Queen Elizabeth made her first visit to the Clyde, berthing at the recently upgraded MOD Glen Mallan jetty on Loch Long to stock up with munitions. The huge carrier`s arrival was blessed with superb weather; there was hardly a ripple on the Firth and the Arran tops had a decent dusting of snow, forming a spectacular backdrop as the warship and her escorts headed north past Wemyss Bay and Inverkip. I would have headed along to capture this historic event on camera, but I followed the Scottish government`s COVID restrictions barring all but essential travel unless it was within 5 miles of your local council area. The vantage points were just beyond this limit, so I stayed home. The occasion was well covered in the local press and on the internet, with a fine selection of photographs, including these, made available for sharing via social media.
(Carrier images © Greenock Telegraph: George Munro / Navy Lookout: Iain Masterson)
An unidentified French warship was showing on Marine Traffic for a time, possibly tasked with joining HMS Queen Elizabeth, and the presence of EMB-121 Xingu, Serial No 87, of the French Navy at Glasgow Airport on Friday 19 March may have been connected, possibly dropping off personnel. The twin-engine light utility aircraft was on on the ground at Glasgow for just a short time and took off soon after being refuelled. Several of the Marine Nationale`s Xingus, including this one, have visited Glasgow International previously.
The Xingu (pronounced `Shingoo`) is a product of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, who named the aircraft after one of the country`s major rivers, which, after flowing for almost 2,000 km connects with the Amazon River at the head of the Amazon delta. The company based the Xingu design on its EMB 110 Bandeirante, using the latter type`s wing and engine layout merged with an all-new fuselage. The EMB-121 made its maiden flight in October 1976 with a more powerful upgraded version, the EMB 121A1 Xingu II, introduced in September 1981. Almost half of the EMB-121s built were exported to countries outside Brazil before produced ceased in 1987. The French Air Force are currently the largest operator with around 23 aircraft still in service.
The last of Glasgow`s military movements this month were BAe 146 ZE707 which also called in on 19 March. Next, on Wednesday 24 March, E-3D Sentry ZH101 callsign `NATO 31` made a go-around of Runway 23 at 19:30 hrs. Unfortunately it was too dark for snaps. Finally, RAF C-130J ZH866 `Comet 163` did a touch & go of Runway 05 at approx 17:35 hrs on the 31st.
Construction & Development
Following on from last month`s Construction & Development section on the Glasgow Airport Movements page, Monday 15 March saw the arrival of the second piece of the new Black Cart pedestrian / cycle bridge arrive on site.
Even if the low mound opposite the entrance to the Gama hangar in Abbotsinch Road remains, new buildings will likely drastically reduce views of landing and taxiing aircraft.
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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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