Top 10 shots for 2017

As we come close to 2018. This year was a challenging one with so many travel movements and awesome aircraft spotting so today hear is my top 10 photos for 2017 I've been voted.

10: In loving memory of Air Berlin

Air Berlin  D-ABKM Boeing 737-800 new to Air Berlin in 2010 seen in Malta taken 27th September 2017.

Since 27th October 2017 Air Berlin has ceased operations causing the airline to go bankrupt with dozens of various Air Berlin aircrafts in storage mainly Shannon, Ireland still waiting for a flying future. Recent news British carrier EasyJet will absorb 1,000 employees and lease 25 Airbus A320 for Berlin Tegal, Germany. Some of former Air Berlin fleet are transferred to Niki. This photo you see is a Boeing 737-800 landed in Malta I can't remember where from if it's Dusseldorf or Berlin, Germany taken late of Air Berlin's life. 

9: Airbus A380 in Paris, France or Franborough, UK?

Airbus Industries F-WWOW first built in 2005 seen in Paris-Le Bourget, France taken 24th June 2017.

You might be thinking "This really was taken in Farnborough, UK from last year's airshow" you're presume wrong! For those who been following me on Facebook, this summer in June of 2017 before I finished college I went to Paris Airshow 2017 in Paris-Le Bourget, France for the weekend. For those who seen my Paris Airshow blog 2017 I mentioned about the Airbus A380, their were two of them. One retired/modified aircraft called A380 Plus (F-WWDD) and one is this in the air F-WWOW the first Airbus A380 to be built by Airbus. The display was very short compare to Farnborough International Airshow but it was worth seeing two A380's in Paris-Le Bourget, France. 

8: Queen of Speedbird Boeing 747-400 

British Airways G-CIVD Boeing 747-400 new to British Airways in 1994 seen at London Heathrow, UK taken 7th April 2017. 

In recent news from British carrier British Airways announced they will retire all their Boeing 747-400's in five years time while the airline is slowly withdrawing their 747's from the oldest. Most airline nowadays are retiring or limited use for passengers like example Virgin Atlantic will retire their 747's in 2019 and Lufthansa still has a bit a long life now all American airliners like United withdrawn their 747's it's sad to see them go. What special about the photo is that this is OneWorld special livery touching down at London Heathrow, UK.. 

7: Swiss Alps in Maltese Rain?

Swiss HB-IJH Airbus A320 new to Swissair in 1996 seen in Malta taken 24th September 2017.

Before Malta International Airshow 2017 day 2 announced it was cancelled due to rough weather conditions, I want to get some photos of aircraft in the rain for takeoff & landing so I spent 2 hours in the spotting wall all wet till the wind was calm & clouds are higher. I prefer this Swiss Airbus A320 on flight to Zurich Switzerland because of the water effects while rotate for takeoff. This was before Swiss ended Malta flights for the Summer so we will see more in 2018.

6: Double Me Double Delta

Two Delta Air Lines at Paris Charles de Gaulle, France taken 26th June 2017.

Their are a lot of American airliners in Paris Charles de Gaulle, France however it's not a hub for Delta Air Lines like Amsterdam, The Netherlands is. When I was by the gate this Boeing 767 was on hold on the taxiway for 20 minutes due to early morning rush hour for the airport while this Airbus A330 arrived at CDG.

5: Air Malta the sunset of the Maltese Islands 2

Air Malta 9H-AEI Airbus A320 new to Air Malta in 2004 seen in Malta taken 9th July 2017.

You might have seen my other Air Malta sunset photo from last year on the ground during sunset, this one is different as you can see this Airbus A320 lifting up to the Maltese sky one of the best spotting places for the Summer season around 6pm-7pm. 

4: Condor the Sunset in the Maltese Islands

Thomas Cook Airlines G-JMOG Boeing 757-300 new to Condor in 1999 ex D-ABOG seen in Malta taken 9th July 2017.

Similar to my Air Malta sunset departure but this British carrier Thomas Cook Airlines Boeing 757-300 departure is the best when climbing you can see smoke of the engines before landing gear was up more dark from buildings with orange sky some and shine effects of the aircraft. This is one of my least favourite photo came close to number one but we come to that later. This was operated by Thomas Cook franchise by a German carrier Condor to Frankfurt, Germany. 

3: Luxair in the Dark Side

Luxair LX-LBA Boeing 737-800 new to Luxair in 2015 seen in Malta taken 24th September 2017.

As Star Wars Episode 8 The Last Jedi is coming close to theaters I like to spread the darkness of these clouds or "The Dark Side" Anyway, during the same day with Swiss departing Malta in the storm this Luxair aircraft departed before the rain, high winds and thunderstorms arrived. This flight was in Summer service direct from Luxembourg, Luxemburg to Malta then from Malta to Palermo, Italy via Luxembourg, Luxemburg. 

2: Concorde Memorial 

Concorde Memorial at Paris Charles de Gaulle, France taken 25th June 2017.

At my last day in France my big request is to see any memorial of a former Super Sonic airliner Concorde. There are three Concorde Memorials around Charles de Gaulle area and I only found one which is this landing gear what remains after the crash of Air France Flight 4590 F-BTSC in 25th July 2000. The location is a long road called Allee du Verger next to the Marriot Hotel. I will come back to Paris Charles de Gaulle France to look at couple of more memorials including Tupolev TU144 memorial.

1: Look up in the sky! It's a Turkish Star!

Turkish Star preforming in Smart City, Malta for Malta International Airshow 2017 taken 24th September 2017.

You see why this is my favorite photo of 2017! So after the horrible storms in Malta happened the airshow announce cancelled UNTIL 12pm Malta International Airshow 2017 announce the all clear and now open as the weather turned into Summer sunshine. The airshow is located in two areas.

1: Malta International Airport - Apron 4 for aircraft display on ground
2: Smart City - For air display

I visited both weekends Saturday I was at the Apron for ground & LTM from outside the hanger then Sunday while I was spotting in the storms I rushed into Smart City by bus after the announcement it was giving the clear apart Apron 4 remain closed. The airshow is not what I expected like Farnborough, UK and Paris Charles de Gaulle, France but I was looking forward for the Turkish Star air display which some turn out OK and this one I love the way it's closer from the zoom. There was a Saudi Hawk display in general I'm a big fan of the Turkish Stars. So overall I really enjoyed the airshow at Smart City in Malta.

So we close the book for my aviation shots for 2017 (yet) as I have a flight to Malta on 28th December which will not include my top photos. Thank you for liking & support my social media and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Christmas News coming on Christmas Eve.