***BREAKING NEWS Carlisle, UK IMPORTANT CHANGES***

Recent news for passengers who booked flights with Loganair that should have starten & opening of the airport next Monday has been delayed by three months due to shortage of air traffic control staff. 

For customers who booked the airline to London Southend & Belfast-City, UK and Dublin, Ireland must contact the for a choice of refund of re-located to the nearest airport for alternative flights to either Manchester & Glasgow, UK

However the schedule of the opening of Carlisle Airport will be opened in 3rd September 2018. 

TAP Air Portugal fleet information (May 2018)

From Portugees carrier TAP Air Portugal brings you excitment of what's comming.

Arrivals

Airbus A330-900neo

• CS-TUA
• CS-TUB
• CS-TUC

Note: Coming this year, TAP Air Portugal will be the first customer to operate the new Airbus A330neo family also known as Airbus A330-900. They will all be in service shortly.

Airbus A321neo

• CS-TJI
• CS-TJJ 

Note: These new Airbus A321neos including LR aircraft will operate Q4 2018 with 12 on order no registration details at this time.

Withdrawn

Planned

Airbus A340-300

•  CS-TOA
• CS-TOB
• CS-TOC
• CS-TOD 

Note: The last four Airbus A340-300 from 1994/1995 are currently in service till 2019 as the replacement of Airbus A330neo. 

What happen to JMC Airlines?

Their isn't a quite a lot of history of a former British Charter Airliner JMC Air so we'll go through the short history that lasted for three years.

JMC Air was introduced to the aviation industry in March 2000 based in London Gatwick, UK when two other airliners Caledonian Airways and Flying Colours Airlines was merged. The airline operated 7 other UK bases that were Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle it was designed for a package holiday from JMC themselves. Interesting enough when I was in Malta last September, I've seen a health & safety/fire exit map that has JMC logo issued from 2002 from the hotel I stayed in Bugibba. During the end of JMC Air's life,  On 31st March 2003 JMC Air was ceased operations & re-branded by Thomas Cook the airline later become Thomas Cook Airlines.

Fleet

• Airbus A320 (10) 
• Airbus A330-200 (2)
• Boeing 757-200 (16)
• Boeing 757-300 (2)
• McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (2)

Did you know? JMC Air was the first British Airliner to operate the Boeing 757-300.

Unfortunately these days it's hard to see aircraft that were delivered to JMC Air that still has aircraft registration that still uses JM mark. Only two that still have them before transferring to Condor. Thomas Cook Airlines still has their ex JMC Air Boeing 757-300 G-JMAA and G-JMAB. G-JMOG another Boeing 757-300 that's not new to JMC Air delivered to Condor D-ABOG.

Today in 2018, their are former JMC Air that were new are somewhere across the world still in service but JMC will have a memory from it's short life. 

Aircraft Aviation in Europe is going to Asia!

For those who have been following me on Facebook about this exiting news, on 5th September I'm going & travelling within Asia for the first time! I've always been dreaming travelling to Asia on the safer side of the continent not dangerous threats i.e. terrorism & war in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. Lets explain which two Asian countries I'll be going this September. 

Republic of China

First Asian country will be Republic of China or Taiwan as perfectly known. Republic of China or ROC for short is not part of Mainland China which is People's Republic of China including Hong Kong and Macao. So for that reason Republic of China is a independent country. With travel wise  example us EU Citizens will not need visa to enter ROC as well as US, Australian, Canadian Citizens have visa free with the exception of Hong Kong, Chinese and Macao are required to have a permit to enter ROC. So during my flight to ROC, I'll be having half a day layover in ROC my hotel is covered before I'll be heading to my final destination.

Japan

7th September I'll be arriving in Japan from ROC. This is the main reason for me to visit Japan for Japanese aviation and something else other than aviation. In general, visiting Japan would be a man's dream when I was younger so now I'm finally going to explore a new adventure across the world just like my trip to the United States. To enter Japan, EU citizens do not need visa to enter Japan as all as other nationalities where I'll be spending a week in Japan. When I head back to the UK after Japan, I'll be heading back to ROC again for a half a day layover then to my final destination London. 

If you want to know more about my Asian travel movements, stay tuned in late August what I'll be doing in Asia.   

Aviation in London Gatwick, UK April 2018

After visiting London Gatwick, UK last month, it was a good experience from North Terminal. Let's take a look what I've seen at the airport with some information. 

Virgin Atlantic G-VKSS Airbus A330-300 delivered in 2011 taken 10th April 2018. 

Over the past few years, Virgin Atlantic was normally based in South Terminal. It's now in North Terminal as I mentioned in the past British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and EastJet (some flights) moved to North Terminal. Anyway, seeing a larger aircraft from the bridge is incredible on departure side. This Airbus A330-300 pushbacked, it taxied right in front of me & other passengers taking photos.  I recommend depending on the airline & terminal, North Terminal is the best option. 

Titan Airways G-POWH Boeing 757-200 new to Iberia in 2000 ex EC-HIR taken 10th April 2018.

You can also get shots from South Terminal from the bridge. Titan Airways on charter with the old Boeing 757-200 taxing for departure. Some of Titan Airways are operating for British Airways on every aircraft types so it's good to lookout for them on FlightRadar24.

Icelandair TF-FIO Boeing 757-200 delivered in 1999 taken 10th April 2018.

Icelandair sends out the old Boeing 757-200 "two emergency exit rows" from Keflavík, Iceland attracting Icelandic tourists in London Gatwick travelling to the South Downs area close to Brighton, Worthing and Portsmouth "in my opinion" other than London Heathrow. Icelandair is also great for connecting flights to the United States and Canada making the fares for Icelandair cheaper as possible than non-stop & compeition like Norwegian.

Air Malta 9H-AEP Airbus A320 delivered in 2007 taken 10th April 2018.

Air Malta from South Terminal taxing for departure to Malta as KM117. I was on TUI Airways flight to Malta when 9H-AEP left after lunch time, my flight was boarding a couple of hours later.

Cathay Pacific B-LRF Airbus A350-900 delivered in 2016 taken 10th April 2018.

Cathay Pacific with the new Airbus A350-900 was towing to the South Terminal when preparing for a flight returning to Hong Kong, China primary with the Airbus A350 as well as my upcoming China Airlines flight to Taipei, Republic of China.

Virgin Atlantic G-VBIG Boeing 747-400 delivered in 1996 taken 10th April 2018. 

First time I see a Boeing 747 aircraft in North Terminal as mentioned Virgin Atlantic was from South Terminal. Now with only eight Boeing 747-400's left by 2019, the last remaining Boeing 747's will be withdrawn & replaced by the new Airbus A350-1000 (same for Airbus 340-600 replacement).

Virgin Atlantic uses Boeing 747-400's and Airbus A330's so if you like to travel to the United States or the Caribbean, London Gatwick will be better to get their from A to B than London Heathrow. 

On 19th April, my train got delayed for over an hour so I've decided to catch some aviation shots while I was waiting in the train station & good timing of the weather. Also when disembarked my recent Thomas Cook Airlines flight from Malta, I've manage to get a couple from my mobile before entering immigration. 

Aurigny Air Services G-NSEY Embraer ERJ-190 delivered in 2014 taken 19th April 2018.

Aurigny Air Services the only aircraft has Embraer ERJ-195 & the main aircraft to operate London Gatwick with this aircraft type from Guernsey, Channel Islands (UK).

Rossiya Airlines VP-BBT Airbus A319 new to Air Canada in 2002 ex C-GKNW taken 19th April 2018.

After Russian carrier Aeroflot failed London Gatwick flight to Moscow Sheremetyevo, Russia another Russian airliner Rossiya Airlines operate London Gatwick from Saint Petersburg, Russia .

Vueling EC-LQK Airbus A320 new to Spanair in 2005 ex EC-JNC taken 19th April 2018.

And finally Vueling operates London Gatwick with some European destinations from Spain, France and Italy. Vueling operates seven UK airports which are Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and Manchester. Few years ago, Vueling introduced Southampton, UK flight from Barcelona, Spain with their Airbus A320 Family somehow it didn't last long.

Aviation in Malta April 2018

Aviation in Malta International Airport was perfect by the time this is taken. So let's take a look what I've seen. I will go through important ones & seasonal visitors I've seen because their is a lot similar to Amsterdam, The Netherlands visit. 

EasyJet Europe OE-IZL Airbus A320 new to Air Berlin in 2016 ex Air Berlin D-ABNX taken 11th April 2018.

We starting to see ceased airliners still in their liveries until if their are airliners are ordering second hand aircraft. Air Berlin is still one of the few still have their liveries either in leasing, new registration for the order and some of former Air Berlin's Boeing 737NG are still in Ar Berlin livery. OE-IZL Airbus A320 will soon to join EasyJet Europe.

Tianjin-Airlines LZ-CMC Airbus A320 delivered in 2018 taken 11th April 2018.

This mystery of the newly built 5th month old Airbus A320 has been in storage since November 2017 originally to be JetStar Pacific Airlines as VN-A576 from Vietnam somehow cancelled currently storage in Malta for re-paint & due to be with Tianjin-Airlines from China. Recent update from late April 2018, it's now in service as B-300T.

Royal Air Force of Oman 555 Airbus A320 delivered in 2009 taken 11th April 2018.

Royal Air Force of Oman visited to Malta for technical stop no special visit. I thought to myself this is the same aircraft I saw in Bournemouth, UK 5 years ago, this one is registered 555.

Thomas Cook Airlines G-TCDX Airbus A321 new to My Travel Airways in 2003 ex G-CTLA taken 12th April 2018.

Recently British Charter Thomas Cook Airlines has introduced a new flight to Malta from Bristol, UK sending out Airbus A321 primary for Summer only.

TUI Airways G-FDZA Boeing 737-800 delivered to Thomsonfly in 2007 taken 12th April 2018.

Also British Charter TUI Airways has introduced two new Summer flights from Bristol, UK and Birmingham, UK using Boeing 737-800.

Jet2 G-GDFN Boeing 737-300 new to EasyJet in 1998 ex G-EZYH taken 12th April 2018.

Jet2 is one of the only British airliner that still operates the old Boeing 737-300 that are 31 years old or less from previous airliners. From now till January 2019, Jet2 has ordered more Boeing 737NG to be replaced the Boeing 737 Classics starting from the oldest till the latest production. 

Thomas Cook Airlines G-JMAB Boeing 757-300 new to JMC Airlines in 2001 taken 12th April 2018.

Thomas Cook Airlines G-JMAB Boeing 757-300 is due to be with Condor D-ABOR along with the other two Boeing 757-300's.. These Boeing 757 aircraft are primary for London Gatwick, UK flights to Malta.

12th April 2018. A special flight & the end of his career as the Armed Forces of Malta pilot. Lt. Loreto Spiteri seen doing a low flight path as a tribute to say farewell for protecting Malta around the Mediterranean Sea. This could be one of my top photos of 2018 list!

Volotea EI-EXI Boeing 717 new to Midwest Airlines in 2003 ex N906ME taken 14th April 2018.

Volotea has been introducing new seasonal flights multiple times in Malta & ended quickly. Newer flights are Bilbao in Spain, Bordeaux in France and Nice, France. We just have to wait & see if Volotea continues the Summer 2019 service if it succeeds.

GetJet LY-FOX Airbus A320 new to Iberia in 1999 ex EC-HDN taken 16th April 2018.

As Air Malta's fleet is around the corner (9H-AHS was on order by the time this was taken) GetJet operated Air Malta's destinations with their Airbus A320 and Boeing 737's (we'll cover the 737 in few photos down). GetJet is a Lithuanian Charter & aircraft leasing service similar to Smartlynx with older aircraft including the A320. LY-FOX is still operating for Air Malta until the Airbus A320neo is due to arrive shortly.

Red Wings LZ-BHK Airbus A321 new to Iberia in 2001 ex EC-HTE taken 16th April 2018.

Bulgarian carrier BH Air has withdrawn their Airbus A321's leaving three A320's in the fleet. Most of the BH Air aircraft have moved on like this one. Red Wings by the time this was taken was due to enter service in Russia as VP-BRA. 

LATAM Airlines Group EI-FXO Airbus A320 new to TAM Linhas Aéreas in 2012 ex PR-MYW taken 17th April 2018.

Mystery about this Chinese airliner. Originally when this Airbus A320 was withdrawn by LATAM Airlines Brasil as PR-MYW, it was stored by LATAM Airlines Group in Irish registration EI-FXO later in storage at Abu Dhabi, UAE in June 2016. Chinese Carrier Hongtu Airlines was originally order more Airbus A320's for it's Chinese domestic network based from Kunming Changshui, China. Unfortunately the order of this particular aircraft was cancelled in full  Hongtu Airlines livery so now the aircraft is unknown if it's still in Malta or somewhere else due to return to LATAM Brasil. 

The old Antonov AN-12BK is still alive in 2018! Taken in 17th April 2018, this old Antonov AN-12 series registered UR-CAH arrived in Malta with beautiful smoke during final approach.

Lufthansa D-AIHT Airbus A340-600 delivered in 2008 taken 18th April 2018.

I haven't seen so many Lufthansa Tecknik planes in Malta that are either arriving or departing. During my last day, I saw this Airbus A340-600 bound for Munich, Germany after completing the technician stop. Interesting fact of this D-AIHT aircraft, it was originally to be delivered to Virgin Atlantic as G-VJAM but the order was cancelled later delivered to Lufthansa in 2008. As a reminder, Lufthansa will be retiring all of their Airbus A340-600 still no information about the 300 series.

GetJet YL-GTW Boeing 737-400 new to Dan-Air London in 1990 ex G-BPNZ taken 18th April 2018

And finally we have one of the oldest Boeing 737 Classic I've ever seen that's still in service in 2018. As before, GetJet is operating by Air Malta with the arrival of two Airbus A320's & new destinations. Unfortunately in recent months Air Malta's customers has received complaints same for Air Malta to GetJet about the age of the aircraft, incidents and cabin facilities. This aircraft is not one of the problems what you see, it's LY-CGC Boeing 737-400 in Milan-Malpensa, Italy in 18th March 2018. Also reports of ground handling issues by Air Malta for this particular aircraft which happened on London Gatwick, UK KM117 flight with 12 hour delay or more.

From passengers comments to Maltese news websites and Air Malta that the aircraft is in more condition from the outside, cabin is very outdated when it was delivered in 1989 "two years before I was born!", air conditioner wasn't working due to the age of the Auxiliary Power Unit which is dangerous during early Summer months, flaps was still at 30 degrees on the apron once again is dangerous & incorrect standard procedure and maybe more you can look on The Times of Malta and Independent.com.mt article. With my photo LY-GTW I have not seen any information about any recent incidents unless it was one of those fuel spillage happened in Palermo, Italy, If it's true or not feel free to comment which I'll be much appreciated.

So Air Malta later replaced YL-CGC to GTW which is a 28 year old Boeing 737-400 delivered to Dan-Air London in May 1990 ex G-BPNZ. In my opinion, any older aircraft that are 30+ years old or less should be inspected by the European Aviation Safety Agency to the airline company who operates them that are not very well maintained etc for commercial use. Lufthansa is one of those airliners that still uses Airbus A320 from 1989 that's been very maintained & modified because the airline is rich as GetJet is poor. 

My Flight report Thomas Cook Airlines flight MT1187 Malta - London Gatwick, UK 19th April 2018

Airline: Thomas Cook Airlines
Flight: MT1187
Type: Boeing 757-300
Registration: G-JMAA
Flight of origin: Malta
Destination: London Gatwick, UK
Terminal: South Terminal
Flight time: 3 hours & 30 minutes

In the past I had worst experience with Thomas Cook Airlines to the United States. This time the flight has got even worse.... But first lets start working our way to the top.

Because now we are in the Summer Season, Malta International Airport has gotten worse full of British Airliners coming to Malta I'll explain. Last year, Malta had experienced a nightmares of British Airliners including Ryanair  arriving Malta from Non-Schengen EU member United Kingdom. I remember when spotting, a lot of passengers from Thomson Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines, Ryanair, Jet 2 and EasyJet waited outside Non-Schengen building in the hot sun. At the monument it wasn't worse when June/July comes. Because Non-Schengen on departure side is small with limited gates, it would have been possible the flights to be delayed if the gate is full and delay on Maltese Immigration. If you have any plans come to Malta this Summer, I suggest to avoid Thursday because that's where the nightmare will begin.

The flight was a Boeing 757-300 my favorite Boeing aircraft of all time since I last was on-board a Boeing 757 in 2004.  The airline is Condor brand operating for Thomas Cook Airlines soon to join Condor fleet. When the flight was boarding we've came up with disasters.

1. Error calculation on fuel & luggage
2. Lost luggage 
3. Passenger error 

Passenger error was a bad one because their are family of 4 with two children (one infant under 5) the boarding pass when I spoke to the passenger said his toddler was going to sit on his own not on the lap. He could not stop crying & screaming since boarding me & all other passengers got annoyed. One crew offer me to move but I refused because I paid good money for the flight & the seats I want. If I was chosen allocated seat I don't mind but the money I paid "No thank you" I'm use to children screaming because I'm an uncle of two nieces who are not behaving etc.

So we was on hold for an hour till the captain calculate the fuel, cargo and passengers then we be on our way back to London Gatwick, UK. With the error I don't blame Thomas Cook I blame Aviserve because they always made errors on their airlines in Malta in the past than Air Malta Ground have. It's a shame Air Malta is not part of other airliners only Air Baltic, TUI Airways, British Airways and Turkish Airlines I can think off.

We've departed Malta backtrack runway 31 immediate takeoff all I have to say is that the engines are classic! It's quieter than the Boeing 757-200 but it still has it's character during taxi and landing.

During crew service, I only had Thomas Cook's exclusive Haribo sweets, short bread and can of Stella. I diverse a beer in during lunch time after all the stress I had at the airport & boarding. I was thinking to buy food that's done by a British chef James Martin for £4 online I decided not too so I had food at the airport.

At Duty Free I bought myself a model of an Airbus A330-200 the price was originally £8.50 I think till I get a discount costing me £6 which is a bargain. When I asked for the model, it took the Purser five minutes to find the model I wanted that's not in their trolley so he have to look at the front galley to search for one. The passenger next to me with his infant wanted the Airbus A321 model unfortunately Thomas Cook only have A330-200.  Unfortunately because these 757's was transferred to Thomas Cook (UK) they don't have Condor models which is a shame if only the crew noticed they have a Boeing 757 model in stock.

One thing I forgot to mention in previous flights during the reports, some airlines all take credit & debit cards & accept contactless (Apart Air Malta that requires GBP, Euros or CHF in cash) be aware if you pay Euros to TUI, Flybe or Thomas Cook for example, the cabin crew will give you change in GBP depending on the exchange rate.

During the service on food & Duty Free, I did not see a smile on the cabin crew (they have while boarding) when disembarking sometimes they look the other way saying goodbye & talking to the other crew which is rude to the passengers.

When looking at the cabin, it looks very well done with modern look around the overhead compartment, lighting and the seats. It looks like a Boeing 737NG look. Unfortunately the seats are so uncomfortable compare my A330 flight from the US so for that I did not like the seats very much. I'm sorry Thomas Cook but EasyJet, Ryanair and TUI can do better. Another problem their is no flight entertainment even when it was new to JMC Air it's just nothing. At least the website featured about it also no USB charging etc.

Finally after a bumpy landing & hard brakes I arrived in London Gatwick South Terminal. So what do I think of the flight? it was disappointing when we got delayed & sitting next to a screaming child kicking the chair when passengers in-front getting complaints, my experience on the seats is not good giving me back pains I really did not enjoy the flight at all. I've given the airline another chance so I don't think I'll go with Thomas Cook Airlines for a while.

My overall rating from Aircraft Aviation in Europe:

• Cabin: 7/10
• Hygienic: 9/10
• Food N/A (No breakfast order)
• Cabin Crew: 6/10
• Service: 6/10

Overall: 6.8/10

You can also checkout my Full Flight video on the page or click me to see it on YouTube.