Glasgow Airport Movements 2021
October
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October 2021
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December 2021
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Glasgow became the focus of the world`s attention this month with the much-publicised COP26 climate change conference finally going ahead on 31 October after having been postponed from last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. It may be no coincidence that just three weeks before kick-off the UK government slashed its red travel list, initially to only seven countries. The only destinations remaining in the high risk category were Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Haiti, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, encouraging winter sun seekers to visit places such as Brazil, Mexico and Thailand once again, potentially without having to spend time in a quarantine hotel on return. On 1 November, the remaining countries were also removed from the red list, ending the need to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel when people arrive in the UK - a requirement that came with a cost of 2,285 per adult.
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And there was more good news for travellers after the USA said that it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from 33 countries on 8 November. Under new rules announced by the White House, vaccinated people who have had a negative test in the 72 hours before travelling will be allowed to enter. The move marks the end of the tough restrictions that have been imposed on travellers since early last year. The current rules bar entry to most non-US citizens who have been in the UK, China, India, South Africa, Iran, Brazil or a number of European countries within the preceding 14 day period. However, the policy has caused controversy, as passengers from 150 other countries, many of which have struggled with high rates of COVID infection, have continued to enter the US freely. The new rules will apply to Schengen countries - a group of 26 European nations - as well as the UK, Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, and South Africa.
(Above photo © climatetrade.com).
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) taking place in Glasgow (31 October–12 November 2021) got underway this month. The summit, organised by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy, aims to bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Experts emphasise that the human race must address the continual damage to the planet caused by global warming, pollution, and industrial-scale harvesting, much of which is illegal, of our forests and oceans, before it`s too late.
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More than 120 politicians and heads of state are expected for the three-day world leaders' summit which begins on 1 November. These include Her Majesty the Queen, US President Joe Biden, and ex-US President Barack Obama. Climate change isn`t a priority for ex-Prez Donald Trump though and he`s unlikely to appear unless it`s for a game of golf! Australian Prime Minister made a last minute decision to attend but Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose country is by far the worst fossil fuel polluter, with more than 10,065 million tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere in 2019, is staying clear. A Kremlin spokesman confirmed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin would also not be attending, which was no surprise to many as his country is another of the world`s top ten polluters with regard to CO2 emissions.
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On 27 October, Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his budget in which he announced that air passenger duty (APD) for domestic flights would be slashed on domestic routes in an effort to kickstart the aviation industry`s bounce-back, but long-haul and premium class travellers would face increases. This came just a few days before the climate change conference was due to get under way, and seemed badly timed, especially as the move could potentially lead to people taking more carbon-heavy flights in UK airspace as opposed to more environmentally friendly rail travel. (Above Photo © BBC News).
A massive security operation was put in place and access to the SEC campus and immediate area was strictly controlled on the run up to the conference. An inner Blue Zone would be deemed United Nations territory for the duration and subject to UN legislation. UN personnel were flown in especially to provide protection with the UK police and other agencies responsible for the remainder of the site and beyond. (Above photo © The Telegraph. Following gallery shots © Glasgow Evening Times / Colin Mearns).
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Local aviation enthusiasts and photographers, as well as those from much further afield, anticipated a plethora of interesting aircraft, some never before seen in the UK, and they weren`t disappointed. The first of many outstanding visitors was Boeing 777-3SBER 80-1112 (f/v) of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) which made an early morning touchdown at Edinburgh on Thursday 14 October having flown non-stop from Chitose, Hokkaido. It relocated to Glasgow International later that day after several circuits at Prestwick. As the conference got underway, all three airports saw high volumes of traffic. (The first 3 days of November were exceptional).
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I have created a separate page covering the action at Edinburgh and Prestwick airports. Although I didn`t go through to the capital, Air Force One flew in with US President Biden, the arrival well-covered on social media, so I`ve included a few shots circulating on the web. (The LINK(S) to the Prestwick / Edinburgh COP26 entry will be added when the page is complete).* For additional arrivals connected with the conference this month, whether civil or military, see the respective sections below.
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Prestwick Airport
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Edinburgh Airport
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Temporary airspace restrictions were put in place across much of the country as part of security measures connected with COP26. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Police Scotland have confirmed that restrictions will apply across East and Central Scotland from 23:59 on 30 October to 23:59 hours on 13 November to help protect the safety of the public, people attending the conference and, the aviation community. The areas affected include Greater Glasgow, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Stirling, Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. Restrictions apply to all aircraft, including hot air balloons and drones, but large aircraft scheduled to carry passengers or freight will be permitted to fly as normal.
It is the responsibility of all pilots, including drone pilots, to check the restrictions in their area. If pilots are planning to fly to somewhere within the restricted area, they need not only prior permission from their local airfield, but also Police Scotland and Air Traffic Control. Requests to the police must be made at least 24 hours before the proposed flight. The gathering of so many world leaders and heads of state in one place will be a tempting target for many terrorist groups and although there is no specific threat related to the event, the police and security services will be prepared for any eventuality. |
Sunday 31 October, the first day of conference, was of course Halloween and despite the COP26 restrictions, the skies above Scotland were busy, with authorised airborne planes joined by covens and individual witches whizzing about as they relocated for the festivities. These along with assorted spectres and swarms of bats put Air Traffic Controllers under additional pressure for a time. As can be seen, not everyone followed instructions from the tower to the letter. At least the broomstick looks none too worse for wear, which is more than can be said for its pilot!
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Pre-Halloween pumpkin gatherers at East Yonderton Farm next to Glasgow Airport are pictured below.
At this time of year the easyJet livery compliments the ripe pumpkins in the adjacent fields...
On the Water
It would have been nice to see UK’s new polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough on the Clyde while the conference was ongoing, but instead she`s making a three-day special visit to Greenwich, London, ahead of her first mission to Antarctica. The vessel, having completed sea trials, is now ready for service and will set sail for the Southern Ocean before the end of the year. RRS Sir David Attenborough was on the Thames from Thursday 28 until Saturday 30 October in support of the UK Presidency of COP26. (Following photos © British Antarctic Survey / Pete Bucktrout).
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British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in conjunction with Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) hosted Ice Worlds. This comprises 15 interactive and immersive exhibition stands showcasing environmental science, engineering and technology and aims to raise awareness of the importance and relevance of polar science and why it matters to everyday life. A selection of ocean submersibles were on display including Boaty McBoatface, one of the ship`s robotic lithium battery-powered autonomous underwater vehicles. A festival highlight included a live-streamed tour of the state-of-the-art ship, and the launch of a new virtual reality experience. The tour was streamed on a large screen next to the Cutty Sark and across digital channels. A penguin parade and presentation of a good luck garland to the ship by local children concluded the event.
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Sustainable green energy will feature prominently at the conference and windfarms are on the increase all across the UK, both onshore and offshore. Merchantmen transporting wind turbine components have been a familiar sight on the Clyde for decades. On Wednesday 6 October 2021, Symphony Space delivered the latest batch of wind turbine components to the city docks. On this occasion the Netherlands-flagged vessel had sailed from Izmir, Turkey.
The price of hotel and short-term rental accommodation in the City of Glasgow and surrounding area during the conference shot up but even the drastically inflated prices didn`t stop all available rooms from being snapped up. One solution to help provide a secure temporary home for around 1,500 delegates and staff was the chartering of two large cruise ferries, the first of which, MS Romantika, berthed at the city`s King George V Dock just a few miles from the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
Initial reports suggested that only one such vessel would be allocated, namely the MS Silja Europa which is also owned and operated by Estonian shipping company Tallink Grupp. With a gross tonnage of almost 60,000 GT, the 202 metre-long luxury ship is one of the largest cruise-ferries in the world and normally plies its trade between Tallinn and Helsinki. She will be replaced on the route during the charter period by her sister ship, Tallink Group’s Victoria I. All cabins on the Silja Europa are en-suite, air-conditioned and equipped with wardrobe space, and they also have floor heating in the bathroom, radios, and telephones for internal calls.
Initial reports suggested that only one such vessel would be allocated, namely the MS Silja Europa which is also owned and operated by Estonian shipping company Tallink Grupp. With a gross tonnage of almost 60,000 GT, the 202 metre-long luxury ship is one of the largest cruise-ferries in the world and normally plies its trade between Tallinn and Helsinki. She will be replaced on the route during the charter period by her sister ship, Tallink Group’s Victoria I. All cabins on the Silja Europa are en-suite, air-conditioned and equipped with wardrobe space, and they also have floor heating in the bathroom, radios, and telephones for internal calls.
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The vessel also offers restaurants, shopping, a Technogym, sauna, massages, hairdressing and a beauty salon. In 2020 maintenance and renewal work was done on the ship to make it more environmentally friendly. She`s also equipped with onboard shore power systems. In 2021 Silja Europa was hired by Devon and Cornwall Police for a ten-day period during which she was moored off Falmouth and used to accommodate police officers during a G7 Summit.
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As part of COP26, ‘Shaping the Future of Shipping’ will assemble industry heavyweights and external experts to tackle the challenges which face shipping’s vital route to decarbonisation. The conference will demonstrate `the critical importance of immediate action and cross-sectoral collaboration for the energy transformation of shipping`, according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). (Above photo Wikipedia).
With the recruitment of MS Silja Europa as a floating hotel well-publicised it was a bit of a surprise to see MS Romantika sailing up the Firth of Clyde on October 12 bound for Glasgow to fulfil an identical role. Romantika was built in 2002 by Aker Finnyards, Rauma, Finland, and she was the first ever new built ship to be delivered to Tallink. Prior to the pandemic, Romantika served the route between between Riga in Latvia and Stockholm, Sweden.
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While I was at the old Erskine Harbour waiting for this ship to appear, there was a surprise low-level flypast by a pair of Kingfishers. They were just inches above the water and darted out of the lagoon, one bird reappearing a few minutes later. I had my camera switched off when they initially flashed into view and had to settle for this rather grainy, blurred shot of the returning bird. Although I`ve seen several individual Kingfishers along the Erskine shore over the years, this is the first time I`ve spotted two together. They fly rapidly, low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water's surface. They are vulnerable to hard winters and habitat degradation through pollution or unsympathetic management of watercourses although they are currently increasing in their range in Scotland. I`d also spotted a Jay close to home in Erskine a few days previously, which for me is another relatively rare occurrence.
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In addition to the increase in flights connected with the conference, there could also be plenty of activity on the water, with a variety of vessels from small Fire Service and Police Scotland RIBs upriver, and naval patrol boats out in the Firth all playing an active roll in the security operation. I`m not sure if any pre-cleared civilian vessels will be on-site showcasing new technologies.
One relatively unusual visitor to the Upper Clyde on 20 October was Border Agency (UK Customs & Excise) Cutter HMC Vigilant, although I`m not sure whether her presence was connected with the conference in any way. She was launched by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands in 2003 and is one of four 42-metre-long (138 ft) such vessels operated by the UK Border Force. I caught her passing Park Quay at Erskine en route to the KGV Dock, just before the rain came on.
Contrary to expectations, MS Silja Europa didn`t join her sister ship at the KGV when she appeared on the Clyde on 21 October, but tied up at Greenock`s Inchgreen Dock. Like many other would-be photographers, I`d monitored her progress on marinetraffic.com, ready to get a few snaps as she passed my local patch on her way upriver later in the day which was bright and sunny. As a result, I missed her arrival and had to settle for a tail-end view from the housing estate immediately east of the dock. Due to recent construction work, it`s now impossible to get decent shots of ships here, unless they`re on the move.
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In the weeks ahead, it`s not just the exorbitant price of available rental accommodation, or even Scotland`s reputation for dreich weather that could put a dampener on things for many people, and I don`t mean only the COP26 delegates. Disruption to travel will be widespread with many major roads and cycleways closed altogether and others only accessible at certain times - and that`s before you factor in any of the protests.
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Also, workers in various sectors threatened to take industrial action during the conference, including members of Unite and the RMT. This was down to a bitter pay and conditions dispute between the unions and ScotRail, which is run by the Dutch state transport operator Abellio.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that she hoped to resolve the issue but, with only two weeks to go until the start of COP26, Unite maintained that a series of 24 hour stoppages would take place in the coming weeks.
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Unite Scotland represent the rail network`s engineers, some 250 of whom are responsible for maintenance, repairs and other work essential for the safe running of the trains and rolling stock. If the industrial action happened, the move could have brought the nation's railways to a standstill. National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) bosses separately said they would ballot more than 2,000 of their members, including conductors, ticket inspectors and drivers, on whether they would support strike action. The deadline for a settlement passed, but the RMT, who were the only organisation to hold out, finally agreed to the terms offered and the trains continued to run.
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But it wasn`t just the railways experiencing staff problems. Approximately 1,500 Glasgow City Council staff in the GMB Union confirmed they would also strike over an ongoing pay dispute and this one went ahead. It drastically limited refuse collection, cleansing, school janitorial and catering services. Glasgow City Council is already under pressure due to the high volume of litter left piling up on the streets - not the best impression to give international visitors, especially given the nature of the conference.
Glasgow's main tourist attractions, including the Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art, closed to the public for the duration of the summit as some staff are moved to work on the city's COP26 team. They will be supplemented by an army of volunteers from around the UK who will provide information to delegates, assist with queries and provide directions within the city centre and surrounding areas. |
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When COVID-19 was first declared a global pandemic in March 2020, the daily lives of millions around the world changed practically overnight. For those working tirelessly to protect national parks and conservation areas, this presented huge challenges. In Africa for example, visitor centres and tourist schemes that brought vital revenue had to be closed. Emergency wildlife incidents, such as poaching, were more difficult to prevent and investigate. Community education had to be stopped due the risk of transmission. Barely 20 per cent of countries on the continent believed they could continue with anything more than basic operations in protected areas for more than six months. While some saw positives from fewer visitors and reduced pollution, a vast majority reported that their capacity to cope with the pandemic was being impacted by a lack of funding. A survey of rangers across more than 60 countries found that one in four had seen their salary reduced or delayed and a fifth reported that they had lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
But the risk posed by poachers lessened considerably in some areas. In certain South African nature reserves for example, authorities saw a dramatic drop in the number of Rhinos being killed as fewer people were being allowed access therefore suspicious activity was easier to spot. The battle to protect rhino and elephant remains an uphill struggle though and it`s not just creatures with valuable ivory that are at risk of disappearing altogether. Last month, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) declared 23 species officially extinct. The service has proposed removing 11 birds, one bat, two fish, one plant and eight types of mussel from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which protects species under threat. A spokesperson said `Each of these species represents a permanent loss to the USA`s natural heritage and to global biodiversity. And it's a sobering reminder that extinction is a consequence of human-caused environmental change.`
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A separate assessment reports that at least 30% of the world's tree species, ranging from well-known oaks and magnolias to tropical timber trees, face extinction in the wild. Experts say 17,500 tree species are at risk - twice the number of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles combined.
Conservation groups are calling for urgent protection efforts amid threats such as deforestation, logging and climate change. Obviously, if certain practices and human activities do not change numerous plant and animal species across the globe could follow. (Photos © internetgeography.net & science.howstuffworks / AFP ).
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People weren`t responsible for the disappearance of the dinosaurs though, the last of these fascinating creatures dying out around 65 million years ago, after living on Earth for approximately 165 million years. There are various theories as to what caused the mass event including a cataclysmic meteor shower or wide-ranging volcanic activity, but around sixty of these creatures could still be found roaming around Glasgow`s East End this month thanks to Jurassic Encounter.
Jet Airliners
(Above image © BA Media Centre)
British Airways is doing its bit to combat Climate Change by introducing a special light-blue livery on one of its airliners, namely A320-251N G-TTNA. The new look, named the `BA Better World Livery` was unveiled on 7 September 2021 at Heathrow Airport to coincide with the launch of the carrier’s ‘BA Better World’ sustainability program. The British airline partnered with Airbus to create the new scheme which adorns its most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft to date. The UK`s national flag carrier intends to lead the way in creating a sustainable airline industry and is collaborating with BP to source a sustainable aviation fuel for all its UK operations between London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh during COP26. The initiative should provide a carbon reduction of up to 80% compared to the use of traditional jetliner fuel. Although I missed G-TTNA when it appeared at Glasgow Airport last month for the first time since its new paint job, no doubt it will become a familiar sight here during the conference.
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Jet2 is abandoning US-aircraft manufacturer Boeing, favouring European multinational aerospace corporation Airbus to provide replacement planes for its fleet. Further to 36 Airbus A321 NEOs ordered in August, the company has agreed to buy 15 more aircraft, together with the flexibility to extend up to 60 aircraft. These additional 15 aircraft will be delivered between 2026 and 2029 and the terms of the agreement are said to be substantially the same as those approved by the Jet2 board for the initial 36 firm aircraft orders. According to the airline, the deal will enable it to meet the future anticipated growth of its leisure travel business.
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October`s noteworthy jet airliners at Glasgow kicked-off with Titan Airbus A320-233 G-POWK which arrived with Rangers FC from Prague and Eurowings A320-214 D-ABHA which took Bayer Leverkusen back to Cologne following the latest round of Europa League clashes, both games ending in defeat for the Old Firm - Rangers went down 0-1 and Celtic a whopping 0-4 at Parkhead. A320-214 EI-DVM Aer Lingus (Retro livery), Embraer ERJ-190LR D-AECH (f/v) Lufthansa CityLine, Airbus A320-251N G-TTNN (f/v) British Airways and A319-111 OE-LQI of easyJet Europe also visited (1st); Dornier 328-310 JET OY-JJB Sun Air (from/to Billund). BA Airbus A320-232 G-EUUP departed after a period of storage/maintenance (2nd). Boeing 737-8-200 MAX SP-RZF (f/v) Buzz (3rd); Boeing 737-9 MAX N60436 (f/v) Alaska Airlines, Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-ENH Emirates (Expo 2020 Sustainability (green) Livery), Israir Airbus A320-232 4X-ABG arrived with the Israel football team, plus Airbus A320-214(WL)s OE-ICB and OE-IVJ easyJet Europe (4th); Airbus A320-232 G-EUUA British Airways departed after storage/maintenance (5th)...
Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-ENI Emirates (Expo 2020 Mobility (blue) Livery) and Dornier 328-310 JET OY-JJB Sun Air returned (6th); Boeing 737-9K2(WL) PH-BXO KLM (SkyTeam colours) (7th); Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EPE Emirates (Expo 2020 - Sustainability Livery), Airbus A320-232(WL) 4X-ABI Israir (Future Peace Partnership Livery), Buzz Boeing 737-8-200 MAX SP-RZF made its second appearance, Boeing 737-8 MAX G-TUMD (f/v) TUI from Antalya) and BA Airbus A321-251NX G-NEOW arrived for storage/maintenance (10th)...
Airbus A319-114 D-AILU Lufthansa (Lu Sticker) and Boeing 737-8AS(WL) EI-DCL Ryanair (Dreamliner colours) (12th); Boeing 737-8K5(WL) G-FDZZ TUI (partial Sunwing colours) (Medical diversion Aberdeen to Tenerife after a member of the cabin crew became seriously unwell), Boeing 737-8FH(WL) G-DRTI (f/v) Jet2, plus Airbus A320-214(WL) OE-IJJ easyJet Europe. Nordica Mitsubishi CRJ-900ER ES-ACC made two round trips from Tallinn, Estonia, presumably bringing in staff for MS Romantika while it serves as a floating hotel at the KGV Dock. (13th); BA A320-232(WL) G-EUYS departed after storage/maintenance (14th); Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EPU Emirates (Sustainability livery), Boeing 737-8AS SP-RKI Ryanair Sun, Boeing 737-86N(WL) G-DRTN (f/v) Jet2 and Bombardier CRJ-900LR EI-GED Cityjet (all white colours) operated a Rugby charter to Parma (15th)...
It was business as usual at the beginning of the month: Loganair Embraer ERJ-145EP G-SAJN lifts off on Monday 4 September.
October`s noteworthy jet airliner movements continued with CityJet CRJ-900LR EI-GED which returned from Parma late evening, also British Airways Airbus A321-251NX G-NEOW and Airbus A320-232 G-EUUO both departed after storage/maintenance (16th); Airbus A319-112 D-AIBJ Lufthansa (Star Alliance Livery (17th); Airbus A320-271N D-AIJC (f/v) Lufthansa, plus Boeing 737 MAX 8 OK-SWB (f/v) Smartwings (arrived with FC Ferencvaros from Budapest) (18th)...
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Enter Air Boeing 737-8Q8 SP-ESG and A321-211 OY-VKD of Sunclass Airlines both arrived with FC Brondby fans from Copenhagen, plus Smartwings Boeing 737 MAX OK-SWB (right) returned, bringing the Hungary women's national football team from Budapest. British Airways Airbus A319-131 G-DBCH arrived for storage/maintenance (20th); Enter Air Boeing 737-8Q8 SP-ENX and Airbus A330-243 OY-VKF (ex Thomas Cook) Sunclass Airlines both arrived with FC Brondby fans from Copenhagen, plus Aer Lingus Airbus A320-214 EI-DEE worked a Rugby charter from Dublin International (21st)...
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Aer Lingus A320-214s EI-EDS flew in on a Rugby charter to Dublin and EI-DEO (Irish Rugby Team Livery) worked the standard scheduled service (the latter aircraft also returned the following day), Airbus A319-111 OE-LQE easyJet Europe, plus A321 OY-VKD of Sunclass arrived empty from Malmo to collect FC Brondby supporters (22nd); Embraer ERJ-190STD PH-EZX KLM Cityhopper (SkyTeam colours). Smartwings Boeing 737-MAX OK-SWB (above) headed to Vagar with the Hungary women's football team but the pilot was unable to land at the Faroe Islands` only airport due to low cloud and poor visibility. After circling for over 3 hours, the plane returned to Glasgow! (23rd); Airbus A319-131 G-EUOA British Airways arrived for storage/maintenance (24th); Boeing 737-8AS(WL) SP-RKO (f/v) Ryanair Sun, Smartwings Boeing 737-7Q8 OK-SWT (arrived empty from Prague, and left later for Vagar with the Hungary women`s team. Also, Embraer ERJ-190LR D-AECC (f/v) Lufthansa (25th); Smartwings Boeing 737 MAX OK-SWB made yet another visit, this time calling in briefly for a fuel stop in the early hours while transporting cruise passengers from Port Au Prince, Haiti, to Oslo. Airbus A320-214 D-AIZN Lufthansa (Star Alliance colours) (26th); Boeing 777-368(ER) HZ-AK45 (f/v) Saudi Arabian Airlines and Airbus A320-214 EI-DVM Aer Lingus (Retro Livery) (27th); Finally. Airbus A320-214 OE-INA of easyJet Europe (29th)...
Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EPD Emirates (Expo 2020 Mobility Livery) worked an extra service for start of COP26 (30th); Boeing 737-8-200 MAX SP-RZC (f/v) Buzz, A319-114 5B-DCW (f/v) Cyprus Airways, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner S2-AJX (f/v) Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner 5Y-KZD (f/v) Kenyan Airlines, Boeing 737-8 MAX 5T-CLJ (f/v) Mauritania Airlines, plus Emirates Boeing 777-300(ER) A6-EPS worked another additional service for the start of the conference (31st). I took these rather grainy shots with my mobile phone.
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Glasgow Airport`s passenger numbers for August 2021 have just been revealed and show that almost 252,000 people passed through the terminal during what is traditionally one of the busiest months of the year. Obviously the pandemic has had a drastic impact, but this total now relegates Glasgow to the UK`s ninth busiest airport, but this position may be pushed back further by the end of the year - that`s even taking into account the expected increase in traffic due to COP26. In August, only 37 scheduled international routes were being flown from Scotland and of these only two were from Prestwick, just seven from Glasgow with Edinburgh scooping the rest - changed days indeed.
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So, with many airlines deserting Glasgow and heading east to the capital, it was welcome news that Spanish-owned low cost airline Vueling will be launching a Glasgow / Paris-Orly connection from Thursday 4 November.
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The carrier, which is operating a scheduled service from Glasgow for the first time in its history, will offer two flights per week. I took the above shot of one of Vueling`s airliners coming in to land at Corfu Airport several years ago. The French capital must be a popular destination as Dutch outfit Transavia will begin their Glasgow-Orly service from April 2022. Transavia will fly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
On Sunday 3 October, Boeing 737-8-200 MAX SP-RZF (f/v) in Buzz colours arrived from Krakow then made its second appearance on the 10th. Buzz is a Polish airline, formerly known as Ryanair Sun, which is headquartered in Warsaw. It`s a subsidiary of the Irish airline company Ryanair Holdings, and a sister airline to Ryanair DAC, Ryanair UK, Malta Air and Lauda Europe. This was the first time that one of the carrier`s `bees` landed at Glasgow. Hopefully the Buzz hive will be kept busy flying between Scottish airports and the carrier`s destinations in Poland in the years ahead. (Artist`s impression © buzzair.com).
The Boeing Innovation Forum
(Above photo © Graeme @Eng1170 via Twitter / Following Forum shots Glasgow Airport via Twitter)
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One of this month`s highlights was the appearance of Boeing 737-9 MAX N60436 (f/v) which arrived about 06:00 on October 4 and initially parked on Stand 29. Soon after, however, it relocated to Stand 5 closer to the terminal which ruled out the chance of decent photos, unless you were airside in the building. This Alaska Airlines jet is the carrier`s ecoDemonstrator and formed the centrepiece of a two-day Boeing Innovation Forum hosted at the airport. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had to settle for a shot on the simulator rather than an airborne jolly around the block.
The aircraft manufacturer is collaborating with Alaska Airlines to use their flying laboratory to test around 20 aviation-oriented technologies including a new fire extinguishing agent, acoustic lining concepts for engine nacelles, and a cabin sidewall panel that uses carbon composite material recycled from Boeing 777X wing production. The partnership`s aims are to discover ways to enhance the safety and sustainability of air travel and the aerospace sector while reducing climate impacts. Once the testing program is complete, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator will be configured for passenger service and delivered to Alaska Airlines. The plane departed Glasgow just before noon on the 8th.
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Above: Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-ENH in Emirates Expo 2020 Sustainability Livery on its takeoff run. Monday 4 October 2021.
Above: Lufthansa colours old and new.
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.
Boeing 777-777-31H(ER) A6-ENX slows after touchdown on the 16th. The 300 series jets are back almost exclusively, operating most of the Glasgow / Dubai Emirates flights rather than the smaller 200 series which were brought in when things were quieter. It looks as though we`ve seen the last of the carrier`s A380s though, unless one has to divert in for a medical emergency or technical issue.
Israir Airbus A320-232 4X-ABG arrived from Tel Aviv on 4 October with the Israeli football team. Rather than parking up and waiting until the match had been played, it returned to base later that day after dropping off its passengers on Stand 27.
The Tartan Army had a night to remember on 9 October and for all the right reasons after Scotland came from behind to beat Israel 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at Hampden Park. Scott McTominay bundled home a last-gasp winner towards the end of six minutes of stoppage time, rewarding the home side for their grit and determination after some major errors earlier in the game including a missed penalty. Eran Zahavi had put Israel in front after five minutes with a superb free kick from 25 yards out but John McGinn's own curling effort from the edge of the box got Steve Clarke's side level on the cusp of the half hour mark. Just over a minute later though, shambolic defending from a free kick saw Craig Gordon parry a ball into the path of Mu'nas Dabbur to tap home.
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Scotland should have been level at the break having been awarded a penalty after Billy Gilmour was fouled just inside the area but Ofir Marciano easily saved Lyndon Dykes' poor effort. However, Dykes redeemed himself by equalising 12 minutes into the second half as his outstretched leg knocked in an Andy Robertson cross. The referee initially disallowed the goal for a high boot before allowing it to stand after consulting the VAR footage. Despite Scotland`s best efforts, a draw looked the most likely outcome but McTominay diverted home with his chest at the back post after McGinn's corner was flicked on by Jack Hendry in the dying minutes. The hard fought victory left Scotland on 14 points from seven games, four points ahead of their opponents in third place. Denmark topped the group on 18 points after six wins out of six. With games against the Faroe Islands and Moldova still to come, it left Steve Clarke's side with a fantastic opportunity to qualify for next year`s World Cup tournament in Qatar. (Match photos © Daily Record / BBC Sport/ SNS).
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Israir Airbus A320-232 4X-ABI, tasked with returning the dispirited Israeli national football team back home, flew in to collect them on Sunday 10 October. Although this particular airliner, now sporting a Future Peace Partnership Livery, has visited Glasgow Airport before, I last snapped it coming in to land at Corfu Airport back in 2017. At that time it was in the carrier`s standard scheme. Corfu Airport is a superb location for anyone interested in aviation photography and I`ve been fortunate to visit numerous times. Definitely worth a visit now that travel restrictions have eased. More aircraft shots and information can be found here.
It was the Faroes that Scotland faced next in their quest for glory, the game played in Tórsvøllur stadium in the island`s capital Tórshavn on Tuesday 12 October. |
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As is always the case, plenty Tartan Army foot soldiers were there to soak up the atmosphere and lend their support, no doubt feeling at home in the dreich conditions prevailing by match time.
Scotland were lucky to be level at half-time after their hosts took the initiative and missed a series of good chances. Disaster looked inevitable when Ari Jonsson, rocketed a point-blank shot from close range, but it was unbelievably pushed clear by Craig Gordon. Scotland had several opportunities too and with 85 minutes played, Nathan Patterson whipped in a cross from the right as Lyndon Dykes galloped into the box. Horour Askham attempted to clear but cannoned the ball off Dykes' chest and straight into the net. |
More drama was to follow though with protests from the home side that it was an arm rather than Dykes chest that sent the ball into the net. Clarke, his players, and virtually the whole nation faced an agonising wait as VAR intervened, but after scrutiny, eventually, the goal was given. Scotland's fate remains in their own hands. Win against Moldova on 12 November and second place is theirs regardless of how Israel fare in Austria. Dropped points, combined with a draw or victory for Israel, and the race for a play-off will come down to the final round of fixtures three days later. While the Israelis host the Faroe Islands, already-qualified Denmark await Clarke's men at Hampden. On the domestic front, Europa League clashes saw Celtic win 2-0 against Hungarian side Ferencváros at Parkhead on 19 October while Rangers beat Brondby by the same margin at Ibrox 2 days later.
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Enter Air Boeing 737-8Q8 SP-ESG is pictured above with Sunclass Airlines A321-211 OY-VKD on the left. Both planes arrived with FC Brondby fans from Copenhagen, The grainy long distance shot of OY-VKD was taken late afternoon in gloomy skies from the house. Bombardier CRJ-900LR OY-MIT (f/v) (below) brought the Danish team to Glasgow. Copenhagen AirTaxi took delivery of this plane, its first CRJ-900LR, on August 16, 2021. The airliner is operated on behalf of virtual carrier Global Reach Aviation (Billund), alongside two CRJ-200s. At 15.1 years of age, OY-MIT was originally delivered to Lufthansa CityLine in 2006, its only previous operator.
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Besides the two CRJ-200s and the newly added CRJ-900 operated for Global Reach Aviation, Copenhagen AirTaxi also operates two Boeing 737-400s on behalf of its leisure subsidiary Airseven (Copenhagen Roskilde), which is another virtual carrier. It also operates a single BN-2 Islander on its scheduled routes from Copenhagen Roskilde to Anholt and Laesø under the Rutetaxa brand. A number of smaller aircraft are on its inventory for air taxi and training flights.
This is Triple-Seven A6-EPT about to set off for Dubai on Saturday 9 October.
Sun Air Scandinavia which currently has 5 Fairchild-Dornier 328-310 JETs in service, has operated several Glasgow-Billund flights recently, most of which have been covered by OY-JJB, seen here about to land on October 6. The 328 JET is a commuter airliner based upon the turboprop-powered Dornier 328 developed by the German aircraft manufacturer Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH. It was the last Dornier-designed aircraft to reach production before the company folded in the early 2000s. The following sequence shows OY-JJB setting off on the return trip to Denmark on 10 October...
Triple-Seven A6-EGC sets off for Dubai on a wet afternoon. 27.10.21.
Turboprop Airliners
Not a lot happening: Cranfield University`s Saab 340B G-NFLB called in on Monday 18 October, then on the 19th, Blue Islands ATR 72-500 G-ISLK (f/v) arrived from Jersey, the only first-time turboprop this month. It was here to collect the Rangers FC youth team and take them to Stockholm, making the return journey on the 21st.
Biz-Jets
With the lead up to COP26, it was no surprise that Glasgow Airport saw a fair amount of biz-jet movements, with numbers ramping up considerably towards the start of the event. Five corporate arrivals from last month were still here on 1 October, namely Gulfstream IV N156WJ on Area R, Cessna CitationJet CJ2+ OY-JSW and Embraer Phenom 300 G-DCMT on the executive area, plus Gulfstream V N229KM which was parked beside Cessna 750 Citation X N950M (both pictured below) on Taxiway Yankee. Air Charter Scotland`s based CitationJet CJ2 G-NOCM was active during the month, but as usual its comings and goings aren`t recorded.
October`s biz traffic as follows: Embraer Legacy 650 D-AIRG Air Hamburg (1st); Bombardier Challenger 604 N345XB, Global 6000 G-VTLY (f/v), Pilatus PC-24 D-CHMS (f/v), Cessna CitationJet CJ2+ G-TWOP and Citation Excel G-IPAX (2nd): Embraer Legacy 650 D-AZUR Air Hamburg, Citation Mustang N759SB and CJ1 D-IMOI (3rd); Raytheon Hawker Beechjet 400XP SP-TAT Smart Jet Poland and Citation XLS+ D-CAHO Air Hamburg (4th); CitationJet CJ4 M-KNOX, aptly-registered CitationJet CJ2 9A-JET (5th); Bombardier Challenger 605 M-FRZN, Challenger 300 M-CLAB, Cessna 650 Citation III N47AN, Embraer Legacy 650 G-SUGR Air Charter Scotland and Legacy 500 G-ESNA from Liverpool (6th); Dassault Falcon 2000EX N628CC (f/v), Bombardier Challenger 604 G-XONE, CitationJet CJ4 M-KNOX returned (later visits not recorded), Honda HA-420 HondaJet F-HENE (f/v), Raytheon Hawker 750 9H-BSA from Bournemouth and Phenom 300 G-JMBO (plus other dates) (7th); Challenger 605 9H-VFA VistaJet, Challenger 300 G-XATV, Falcon-2000EX D-BONN which arrived from Erfurt–Weimar Airport, Germany, plus Legacy 650 G-SUGR again, CitationJet CJ3 PH-FJK JetNetherlands and CitationJet CJ2+ G-TWOP repositioned from Prestwick (plus additional visits) (8th); Learjet 75 G-ZNTH Zenith Aviation, Cessna Citation II G-SPUR (and later visits this month) (9th); Cessna Citation Mustang OE-FCB, Citation Excel+ G-RWPJ (10th)...
Bombardier Challenger 300 HB-JGQ, plus from the VistaJet fleet: Challenger 605 9H-VFF (routing from Farnborough to Geneva) and Global 6000 9H-VJF (11th); Gulfstream IV-SPs N156WJ from Farmingdale, NY, and N478GS, plus Citation Excel G-IPAX (also other visits), Bombardier CRJ-700ER VP-BCL (f/v) from Farnborough and Beechjet 400XP SP-TAT again (12th); Citation Bravo G-CMBC from Gloucester, plus Embraer Legacy 500 G-WLKR Air Charter Scotland from Birmingham (14th); Cessna Citation XLS G-NJAC (15th); Eclipse 500 2-CAMP, Citation Mustang OE-FBD Globe Air from Biggin Hill (left for Amsterdam later), Learjet 35A D-CYES (f/v) routed from Dubrovnik, Croatia, and departed later for Vienna, plus Embraer Praetor 600 G-FTFX (f/v), a visitor from Tampere, Finland (16th); Gulfstream IV- SP N107VS (f/v), Global 6000 T7-AVD (f/v), Hawker 750 9H-BSA, plus Embraer Legacy 650 G-SUGR and Legacy 500 G-WLKR, both from Malaga (17th); Challenger 300 D-BOOM (f/v) Windrose Air Jetcharter, Citation Excel G-NJAA and Learjet 75 G-ZNTH made another appearance (18th)...
Above: Cessna CitationJet CJ3 PH-FJK of JetNetherlands, seen here on Sunday 10 October, flew in from Rotterdam.
Falcon 2000S PH-WTC (f/v) Cartier Europe, CitationJet CJ2+ G-TWOP and Phenom 300 D-CFHZ (19th); Citation XLS CS-DXO (20th); Gulfstream IV-X N141JE (f/v), Embraer Phenom 300E M-BIBE (f/v) and Hawker Beechjet 400XP SP-TTA Smart Jet Poland from Palma, Majorca (21st); VIP-configured Boeing 737-3L9(WL) G-SWRD 2Excel Aviation and Embraer Legacy 500 G-ESNA which flew in from Farnborough then headed for Malaga (22nd); Citation CJ4 M-KNOX (23rd); Citation XLS OE-GHB (f/v) and Learjet 75 G-ZNTH again (25th); Phenom 300 G-JMBO (26th); Canadair Challenger 601 C-GORD (27th); Bombardier Challenger 850 9H-ILV VistaJet, Challenger 605 OE-IIX, Citation Excel+ G-RWPJ and Phenom 300 G-JMBO (29th); Challenger 605 9H-VFG VistaJet and Embraer Legacy 500 G-ESNA Air Charter Scotland (30th)...
And rounding things off with a batch of COP26-related corporate visitors: Boeing 767-2DXER P4-CLA (f/v) Comlux Aviation, Boeing 737-7Z5(WL)BBJs A6-DAS, A6-AIN and A6-RJZ - all three operated by Royal Jet, Boeing 737-97YER(WL) BBJ3 LX-DIO (f/v) Global Jet Luxembourg, Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 600 G-KGKG (f/v), Gulfstream G650 N651BA (f/v), Gulfstream G550 EI-LSY (f/v) GainJet Ireland, Gulfstream G280 C-FLMW (f/v), Challenger 605 9H-VFA VistaJet, Challenger 350 OO-WEG, Global Express XRS EC-LEB (f/v), Dassault Falcon 7X OY-RAB (f/v) Air Alsie, Cessna 680A Citation Latitude G-LATO Zenith Aviation and Cessna Citation XLS+ S5-BBC (f/v) (31st).
I only managed to photograph a modest selection of the corporate visitors this month.
Above: This Bombardier CRJ-700ER bears the Bermudan registration VP-BCL. It flew in from Farnborough on Tuesday 12 October, landing at Glasgow Airport for the first time. I believe it`s operated on behalf of Consolidated Contractors Company, which is the largest construction company in the Middle East and one of the biggest in the world. CCC, with a revenue of US$5.3 billion in 2013 which had risen to 7.4 billion by 2017, has offices and projects in over 40 countries and a workforce of 120,000 employees.
Air Charter Scotland`s Embraer Legacy 500 G-WLKR, seen here on October 15, had flown in from Birmingham. Possibly the CEO is a Great Dane fan.
Above: A new arrival from the German Register: Learjet 35A D-CYES (f/v) routed from Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the 16th and departed later for Vienna.
You don`t see aircraft on the San Marino Register in Scotland very often. Global 6000 T7-AVD (f/v) arrived late on Sunday 17 October and parked up on Taxiway Yankee. Conditions were dismal when it touched down and it was still raining heavily the following afternoon when this shot was taken. It remained until 07:50 hrs on the 20th.
Above: Cessna 560XL Citation XLS CS-DXO operated a NetJets` flight from Farnborough on the 20th.
Gulfstream IV N141JE, pictured here parked on Area R on Saturday 23 October, had a busy schedule this month, visiting Lincoln Nebraska, Knoxville Tennessee, Bedford Massachusetts, Teterboro New Jersey, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Las Vegas Nevada, plus several airports in California, then Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, before flying to Biggin Hill on 16 October from Washington Dulles. Thereafter it called in at Edinburgh before making the short hop to Glasgow International.
Above: Canadair Challenger 601 C-GORD dates from 1993. It arrived just before midnight on 27 October and is pictured here the next morning.
General Aviation
Even with COP 26 on the horizon, there wasn`t a lot of event-related action at Glasgow Airport with regard to general aviation traffic. Various projects that benefit the environment have been announced recently, one of which is a proposal to provide an unmanned mail delivery service in the Orkneys. A two-week long trial took place this month using drones to carry mail between Kirkwall and North Ronaldsay. Orkney Mainland and the outlying island are approximately 35 miles (56 km) apart, but the large, twin-engined unmanned aircraft created can travel at speeds in excess of 90 mph, enabling it to cover the distance in just 20 minutes - and that`s with up to 100 kg (220 lbs) of post on board. (Images courtesy of Royal Mail/BBC News).
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The initiative is being carried out by Royal Mail to help better connect remote island communities and reduce carbon emissions. Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can fly in poor weather conditions, including fog, and unlike boat services they aren`t affected by tides. Once the mail arrives at North Ronaldsay - a community of about 70 people - it`s distributed in the usual way by a local postal worker.
The trial is part of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) project based at Kirkwall Airport and carried out in conjunction with Windracers Ltd. If successful, the technology will be considered by Royal Mail to support deliveries to other remote areas throughout the UK. |
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Back at Glasgow Airport, September visitors still parked up at the beginning of this month were King Air 200s G-IASB, G-IASC and Agusta A109S Grand G-LITO. Friday 1 October saw Diamond DA62 2-SALE and DA42 G-DJET make an appearance. A109S G-LITO took off just after 08:00 hrs but returned later (1st); HMCG AW189s G-MCGN and G-MCGT (2nd); AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew G-DAYF (3rd); Piper PA-28RT Turbo Cherokee Arrow IV G-GPMW, plus Aerospatiale AS355F1 Ecureuil 2 G-NETR was operating in the general area (4th); Pilatus PC-12/47E LX-JFE and LX-JFR of Jetfly Aviation, King Air 250 G-NICB (and other dates), Grumman American AA-5B Tiger F-GITZ (f/v) plus Sikorsky S-76C G-XXED of the Queen`s Helicopter Flight (5th); Piaggio P-180 Avanti II F-HXPG (f/v), Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain G-UCAM, PA-28-161 Warrior II G-RSKR and AgustaWestland AW109SP G-SGRP (6th); AW189 G-MCGP HMCG (7th); King Air 200 G-IASA, plus Pilatus PC-12 LX-JFE and AW189 G-MCGP both called in again (8th); King Air 200 G-MEGN (9th); King Air 200 G-FLYK (10th)...
The appearance of S-76C G-XXED of the Queen`s Helicopter Flight ​at the beginning of the month was connected with Prince Charles` visit to Scotland.
King Air 90GTi N95VB, plus Pilatus PC-12/47Es G-GEFF (f/v) and OO-PCM (11th); Diamond DA42s G-ZAZU and G-CIKM each made an overshoot of Runway 05 in the afternoon (12th); Vulcanair P68C-TC Observer G-PDGV (f/v) diverted in due to a technical issue whilst on an early evening flight from Prestwick (13th); King Air 200 G-AISC (14th); Pilatus PC-12 NGX OO-PCA (f/v), Partenavia P.68B Victor G-RVNJ (f/v) Ravenair, plus Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V G-GSYS overshot Runway 23 at 12:00 hrs (15th); King Air 200s G-MEGN from Paris Le Bourget and G-OLIV, Diamond DA62 G-JAAM IAS Medical, plus Agusta AW109SP Grand New G-DAYF (16th)...
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle G-SVIP, King Air 200 G-PCOP and Sikorsky S-76C G-ROON Rooney Air (17th); Diamond DA62 G-JAAM, King Air 200s G-FLYD, G-NIAB and G-OLIV, plus Sikorsky S-92A G-MCGL HMCG (18th); AW189 G-MCGM HMCG and DA62 G-JAAM returned (19th); King Air 200s G-FLYD and G-IASC, plus Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V G-GSYS overshot Runway 23 at 16:20 hrs (20th); King Air 200 G-FSEU, Diamond DA 42 Twin Star G-CIKM overshot Runway 23 at 11:35 hrs, plus Aerospatiale AS-355F-2 Ecureuil 2 G-PDGS was operating in the area for a time (21st); King Air 200s G-ZVIP Capital Air Ambulance routing from Bristol to Birmingham, G-FSEU and G-IASA (also other visits), plus Cirrus SR22T GTS N986JT (22nd); Pilatus PC-12/47E G-KARE, Eurocopter EC155B1 G-LCPX and AW189 G-MCGT HMCG (26th); King Air 200 G-FLYK and two more visits from HMCG AW189 G-MCGT (27th); HMCG AW189 G-MCGP (28th); King Air 200 G-NICB, Vulcanair P.68R Victor G-POLW (f/v) National Police Air Service and Pilatus PC-12/47E OO-PCN (f/v) (30th); King Air 200 G-OLIV (31st).
Piaggio P-180 Avanti II F-HXPG (f/v) flew in from Paris-Le Bourget Airport on the morning of October 6 and left later for Rennes. This distinctive Italian executive transport aircraft, with twin turboprop engines mounted in pusher configuration, seats up to nine people in a pressurised cabin and may be flown by one or two pilots. The design is of three-surface configuration, having both a small forward wing and a conventional tailplane, as well as its main wing, with the main wing spars passing behind the passenger cabin area. A number of civil and military variants have been produced with Italy`s Air Force, Army and Navy being the primary operators. The Avanti has been configured to serve in various roles including passenger transport, freighter and air ambulance.
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Pilatus PC-12/47E G-KARE landed minutes behind USAF C-17A 96-0005 on the morning of Tuesday 26 October during a prolonged heavy downpour. The Swiss-built PC-12 is the best-selling pressurised single-engine turbine-powered aircraft in the world and has been for several consecutive years, with 2,137 deliveries to date. Many have passed through Glasgow but even more so at Prestwick. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators.
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Below: Beech B200 Super King Air G-FLYK of Fly Wales, about to be refuelled shortly after arrival on 10 October, is no stranger to Glasgow.
Military
Kicking-off October`s military visitors, Boeing P-8A Poseidon Mk1 ZP803 `Stingray 01` did two high-level circuits of Runway 05 between 16:00-16:30 hrs on Tuesday 5 October before heading back to Lossiemouth. Runway 05 was in use enabling me to get a shot of the MPA on climb out from my back garden. Two RAF `biggies` appeared the following day while training, the first being P-8A ZP802, callsign `Gurney 01` which did three touch-and-gos between 12:50 and 13:20 hours. It was followed by C-17A Globemaster ZZ173, callsign `RRR 837` which carried out identical manoeuvres at 16:35 and 16:55.
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On 12 October, Army Air Corps Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin 2 ZJ783 (f/v) (left) callsign ` Hammer 11` overflew Erskine Harbour shortly before MS Romantika sailed under the Erskine Bridge on her way upriver. The chopper was en route to Glasgow Airport, its visit no doubt connected with the climate conference as it`s one of five such machines operated by the UK`s Special Air Service.
The first four Dauphins for the SAS, all of which bear military serials, were delivered by Eurocopter UK between October 2008 and January 2009. The specially configured Dauphins replaced four Agusta A109A helicopters, two of which were captured during the Falklands War in 1982 and placed into British Army service. The civilian appearance of the Dauphins enables teams to travel discretely while on operations, or escort duty, providing additional protection for VIPs such as HM the Queen and other heads of state. |
An early pre-COP bonus for Scottish aviation enthusiasts (but not the Planet) was the appearance of Japan Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Boeing 777-3SBER 80-1112 (f/v) callsign` JAF 701` which is unsurprisingly a rare beast not only in Scotland but in Europe. The huge transport landed at Edinburgh, then visited Prestwick and Glasgow on a familiarisation flight on Thursday 14 October.
It had flown non-stop from its base in Hokkaido with four separate crews on board, each taking their turn in control on the flight deck. This is supposedly Japanese practice, to do a recce before an actual head of state visit, but the fuel used / pollution generated was understandably frowned upon by many, especially given the nature of the conference.
The big VIP transport, one of two Triple-Sevens operated by the JASDF, didn`t land at Prestwick but made three approaches including at least one touch-and-go, before making the short hop to Glasgow. It did another couple of touch-and-gos here before landing at 13:50 hours. Conveniently for photographers, it was allocated Stand 37 on the West Apron where it remained until setting off on the long return leg for home at 18:20 hrs.
Next to appear, but non COP-related, was RAF C-130J Hercules ZH866, call sign `RRR141`, which did a couple of circuits including touch-and-gos of Runway 23 about 17:30 hrs on Tuesday 19 October while on a training sortie from Brize Norton.
Glasgow International saw a few more COP26-related military arrivals on Tuesday 26 October. Unfortunately, from a photographer`s point of view, the weather was atrocious and ruled out decent shots unless you were standing at the optimum spots along the fence line. First to arrive was French Air Force Dassault Falcon serial Number 4. It was on the ground between 09:35-18:05.
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Less than an hour after the L'armée de l'Air Falcon landed, USAF C-17A 96-0005 (f/v) (above) did likewise and offloaded US Marine Corps Sikorsky VH-60N White Hawk, serial number 163263 (f/v) which was towed to the Gama hangar. The hangar doors were quickly shut once the machine was inside, but the USMC chopper took to the air here for the first time on the 28th. This snatched record shot was taken from my back window. Understandably, US Presidential aircraft don`t usually show on flight tracking websites and it was the noise that alerted me.
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C-17A 96-0005 calls Stewart Air National Guard Base home. This facility is located in Orange County, New York. The main unit here, to which this Globemaster belongs, is the 105th Airlift Wing, an Air Mobility Command unit of the New York Air National Guard. The airport also hosts extensive civilian facilities and is alternately known as Newburgh-Stewart, Stewart International Airport or New York Stewart International. Job done, the big transport departed Glasgow at 12:15.
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Below: Boeing C-40B (B737) 01-0041 (f/v) `SAM 497` flew here from Tirana, Albania on October 27, touching down at 14:55 hours. It was a dismal day but visibility had improved slightly and the rain had stopped by the time the incoming Presidential jet contacted the tower for permission to land.
The USAF C-40B departed for Andrews Air Force Base, Camp Springs, Maryland, at 11:15 hrs the following day.
As of Friday 29 October, no less than four RAF Puma HC.2s had taken up temporary residence on Area J and remained for the duration of the climate conference. The machines were ZJ954/W, ZJ955/X (f/v), ZA940 and XW213/E and all used `Alley Cat` callsigns. The choppers would be tasked with providing top cover for the US President`s motorcade as it travelled between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and were ready to respond to security breaches or other emergency incidents at short notice.
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COP-related military flights increased dramatically on the last day of the month. I`ve also included government aircraft in this section and although I didn`t see many here on the 31st, I ended up photographing most as they either reappeared over the next few days or had visited Prestwick at some stage: Boeing 747-4B5 10001 (f/v) South Korea Air Force `KAF 001/001`, Airbus A340-212 SU-GGG (f/v) Arab Republic of Egypt, Boeing 777-337(ER) K7066/VT-ALV (f/v) callsign `India One` Indian Government, Airbus A321-253NX G-XATW Royal Air Force (Titan Airways) aka `Bor` Force One`, Airbus A319-115(CJ) TC-ANA (f/v) Albanian Government, Dassault Falcon 900EX FAB-001 (f/v) Bolivian Air Force, Gulfstream G550 Tp102D 102005 Swedish Air Force, Gulfstream GV-SP 5N-FGW (f/v) Nigerian Air Force `NGR 001`, Dassault Falcon 7X OO-LUM (f/v) Belgian Air Force, Falcon 2000EX L1-01 (f/v) Slovenian Air Force and Royal Navy AW101-Merlin HM.2 ZH839 callsign `Tiger 67`. (31st).
Construction & Development
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This month, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, announced that one of the units at Westway Park in Renfrew will be used for the Group’s £11.8 million research and development programme run by the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) and Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company. The 60,000 square ft building will be refurbished to accommodate the personnel required for the project, as well as state-of-the-art advanced engineering equipment. Boeing has already hired a team to work at the new facility and they are expected to be in place before the end of this year.
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(Above image © Westway Park)
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The programme will demonstrate innovative manufacturing processes and technologies related to metallic components, building upon research previously conducted at the AFRC. Through these technologies and building capability in others, the team will be investigating reducing material wastage, possibilities to improve safety, productivity and environmental impact. The programme comes as the result of the University of Strathclyde and the AFRC building a successful relationship with Boeing over a number of decades, with the aerospace giant being one of the founding members of the specialist technology centre.
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This programme is one of the initial actions to come from the Boeing Scotland Alliance, which was set up between the two organisations to explore opportunities to work together in Scotland, with the aim of doubling Boeing’s supply chain in the country. This could be worth tens of millions of pounds to the Scottish economy and could see 200 new quality jobs created over the next five years. The announcement comes a year after the official opening of the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre at Westway Park, the second specialist technology centre within the NMIS Group. These shots of the new Boeing centre at Renfrew were taken at the beginning of the month.
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Construction at the flagship National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) facility at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) next to the airport has reached a major milestone with the installation of 1,500 tonnes of structural steel now complete. The unit is on schedule to open in Autumn 2022. The milestone was marked by a bolt tightening ceremony, which saw Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, tighten the final bolt in the frame. Now clearly visible from surrounding areas thanks to its impressive size and distinct heather-coloured cladding, another key element of the flagship facility is also coming to life – the structural timber frame, which is set to house the collaboration hub, is now well underway. It will feature a unique lattice design and sit next to the steel framed digital factory and manufacturing skills academy. At the same time, work has begun on the glazing of a 384m2 window to the world, which will overlook Netherton Square and give passers-by a glimpse into the future of manufacturing.
When complete, the awe-inspiring building will be around 1.5-times the size of the football pitch in Hampden Park and will play a crucial role in attracting advanced manufacturing and engineering companies to locate to the local area. These distant views of the new facility were taken from the east bank of the White Cart Water.
The Scottish Marine Technology Park (SMTP)
One of the main players within Westway Park, Renfrew, is the Malin Group. The company can trace its roots as far back as the mid-18th century with involvement in shipping and ship delivery through the successful years of shipbuilding and trade on the River Clyde. Nowadays, for example, one branch, Malin Newbuild, specialises in the fabrication and outfit of complex marine equipment and vessels, and offers comprehensive solutions to the renewables market. Another branch, Malin Marine Services Ltd offers a range of through life services covering the full range of specialist on site welding, 3D laser scanning, hydraulics, refurbishments and marine repairs. Clients range from ferry, naval and commercial vessel operators to shipyards, marine civil contractors and marine infrastructure owners.
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The Malin Group’s manufacturing arm is currently involved in a major local project which is in its early stages, namely the transformation of the old Mountblow Oil Terminal, also known as the Carless Oil Terminal, into the Scottish Marine Technology Park. The 47 acre site is located on the north bank of the River Clyde between Old Kilpatrick and Dalmuir.
Planning permission has been granted for the first phase, which will bring the quayside back into full use. Once complete, it will include a large fabrication facility and a deep-water jetty with a 1,100 tonne ship hoist – the largest of its kind in Europe. |
I took the above shot, which includes the area set for redevelopment as the Marine Technology Park, from a light aircraft back in October 1976. Operated first as a fuel storage facility for the Admiralty in 1916, the upgraded Mountblow Oil Terminal, established during the Second World War by the Royal Navy, covered a vast area with numerous storage tanks occupying the ground between the riverbank and the A82. Further west, towards Dumbarton at Milton, many additional storage tanks were built into the hillside and in 1942 the Americans connected these tanks with the new deep-water jetty they were constructing at Finnart on Loch Long, with an addition of a spur line to Rosneath. The Germans were well aware of the strategic importance of the Mountblow facility, particularly as it lay so close to the Upper Clyde shipyards and associated heavy industry. During the Clydebank Blitz of 13 and 14 March 1941, Luftwaffe bombers succeeded in completely destroying eleven of Mountblow`s storage tanks and their valuable contents with many other tanks badly damaged. After the war the Mountblow facility remained an MOD asset until the 1960s and finally closed as a commercial storage site in 1992. A housing estate now occupies most of the ground but when this photo was taken numerous tanks had yet to be dismantled. (SMTP artist impressions © Malin Group).
It`s estimated that when complete, the new facility will reintroduce marine manufacturing and support industries to the upper Clyde, bringing almost 1,000 jobs to West Dunbartonshire, as well as adding £65.6 million annually to the Glasgow City Region economy. First, however, is a massive clean-up operation as the site, which lies between the river and the Forth & Clyde Canal, has lain unused for almost 30 years, and is badly contaminated. A hanging barrier on the western and central parts of the ground may be required to protect the river while this work takes place.
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Crude oil and natural gas are the two largest sources of hydrocarbon contamination of soil and when soil is affected, it can have a significant impact on its microbiological, chemical, and physical properties. This can serve to prevent, slow down or even accelerate the growth of vegetation depending on the exact changes that occur. The plan is to remove oil, gasoline and petroleum via boreholes, sump or bulk excavation and then a mix of onsite and offsite treatment or disposal. Traditionally the site would have been excavated with contaminated soil moved either to landfill or concreted over in a method known as ‘capping’ but, as the home of a new Marine research and innovation hub in Scotland, a more sustainable and effective approach is being developed. The chosen solution is a process known as bioremediation. This promotes growth of microbes that are already present in the land and degrading the oil.
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As emphasised by these photos taken almost a decade ago, the transformation of this derelict land is well overdue and sure to bring much-needed positivity to the local area. At that time, despite the numerous hazards, the area was unfenced, but I presume now that the SMPT project has been given the go-ahead, there will be no access for the general public.
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Above photo © Malin Group)
Back at Renfrew this month, one of the barges containing the Malin Group`s latest production, namely one of a series of six primary lifting structures for Hinkley Point C Power Station in Somerset, was floated down the White Cart mid-morning on Sunday 17 October. The barge and support vessels then made the short hop across the River Clyde to Rothesay Dock on the opposite bank. The structure headed south within a couple of days.
This male Teal was bobbing along on the White Cart Water close to the Greenock Road stone bridge.
Meantime, the Malin Group have secured a contract to transport and launch the Royal Navy`s next generation Type 26 Frigates on the banks of the Clyde. The project involves loading the vessels onto a bespoke semi-submersible launch barge, before moving downriver to Glen Mallan on Loch Long where the warships will be floated off and launched. It seems that, at least on the Clyde, the days of slipway launches are now a thing of the past.
This latest contract with BAE Systems on behalf of the Ministry of Defence will involve a team of local naval architects and engineers for the next 4 years. The floating dock barge will be one of the largest in Europe and it`s hoped that its potential will be realised elsewhere and that this will in turn attract other significant marine manufacturing projects to the west coast of Scotland. A contingent of Royal Navy personnel are now on site at Govan to assist with the project. (RN personnel images Glasgow Evening Times).
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Above: The A8 Greenock Road looking west towards Inchinnan. A roundabout is being built beside the 23 runway lights to link with the new pedestrian bridge.
(Panorama image © University of Strathclyde via Twitter)
General views of the Abbotsinch Road development.
(Panorama image © University of Strathclyde via Twitter)
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As yet, I`m not sure what`s being built on this site next to Renfrew`s Westway Park. A new headquarters is being constructed for wholesale Cash & Carry company JW Filshill, which is currently based nearby at Hillington, but I believe that is actually within the Westway complex itself. Filshill`s new purpose-built facility, just across the water from the Glasgow Airport Investment Area, will be 30% larger than the company`s current HQ. The site will include a 120,400 sq ft distribution centre and 10,000 sq ft of office space. The new complex will also include 10,000 sq ft of fresh and chilled space, which the company say will enable them to expand domestically and in international markets.
I took this aerial view of the location back in March 2019, before work began. The new Boeing facility is housed in the dark blue, triple-roofed unit bottom right within the Westway complex. The iconic red-bricked Westway building lies just beyond. Knockhill Park is in the foreground while the road coming in from bottom left is Wright Street which leads to the new crossing over the White Cart Water. This will provide direct pedestrian / cycle access to and from the new Abbotsinch Road manufacturing district. It`s the land in the centre of the photograph, to the left of Wright Street, that`s being worked on at present. A new housing development is already well advanced, but that only occupies the area on the east side of the adjacent industrial units which include the Houston Bottling & Co-Pack factory.
Garden
Autumn is traditionally a good time for wildlife watching but I haven`t paid much attention to the activity in the garden this month.
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Out & About
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More `Up, Up and Away`, rather than `Out & About` for a change. This month, Hollywood actor William Shatner became the oldest person to go to space after blasting off aboard the Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule. The 90-year-old Canadian, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek films and TV series, took off from the Texas desert with three others. Mr Shatner's trip on the remotely controlled rocket system which was developed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, lasted about 10 minutes. The occupants were able to experience a short period of weightlessness as they climbed to maximum altitude of 100 km (60 miles) above the earth`s surface. From there they were able to see the curvature of our planet through the capsule's big windows.
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"Everybody in the world needs to do this," the actor told Mr Bezos after landing back on Earth. "It was unbelievable." In tears, he added: "What you have given me is the most profound experience. I'm so filled with emotion about what just happened. I hope I never recover from this. I hope I can retain what I feel now. I don't want to lose it." Quite an endorsement, considering Captain Kirk commanded the Starship Enterprise for all those years!
Now that his project has been given such a high profile backing from the iconic space traveller, Mr Bezos will be hoping that bookings will roll in, enabling him to hopefully, as Captain Kirk`s best buddy Mr Spock would say, "Live long, and prosper." (Photos © BBC News). |
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October 2021
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December 2021
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