Merry Christmas!

Christmas message from Aircraft Aviation in Europe

Another great year has almost come to an end. Another great year seeing the world outside Europe, amazing aircraft photography, and attending international airshows I can't believe we are coming to 2019 less an a week. I like to thank everyone for support on my social media pages & meeting new people from parts of the world from Malta, The Netherlands, UK, Republic of China, and Japan.

Before the New Year of 2018, I felt sick during Christmas of 2017 with limited aviation photography I was suffering Aussie flu in Christmas Eve 4 days before my flight back to Malta. After Boxing Day still no sign of improvements so I decided to risk it & travel while I was slowly improving my health from my local chemist. During the final days of 2017 in Malta, I was only limited of aviation photography until 2nd January 2018 I was improved & yes I went to celebrate with my friends in Valletta, Malta. After that it was my 27th birthday in late January so I decided to visit Amsterdam, The Netherlands in early February for couple of days where I also did aviation photography in subzero temperatures it was difficult taking photos with gloves even without them my hands was turning ice! I barely stay by the airfield for 2 hours then I'm off to visit the city during my stay. In general I do prefer spotting in the cold than in the Summer.

From Easter Holidays, June & July I went back to Malta again it went good especially in the Summer period as the temperatures went sky high to 33 & 36 degrees I rather not do much of aviation photography even staying on the shade at the spotting area. After Malta was done I took a day trip to Farnborough International Airshow 2018 it was pretty good although to me it's pretty much similar aerobatic paths like 2016 with same aircraft apart from Airbus A350-1000 as last time was Airbus A380. In August went on a 2 day trip to Bournemouth, UK for Bournemouth Air Festival 2018 at the beach near the pier only seeing the Red Arrows which is the best aircraft in Britain by the RAF.

In September I went Asia & visited two Asian countries in Republic of China "Taiwan" and Japan. I was in Republic of China in Taipei twice because I had two layovers inbound & outbound from London Gatwick, UK before heading to Tokyo Narita, Japan as my final destination & vice versa. Aviation in Japan is like heaven for spotters or visitors with family at the observation deck. Japan is a highly recommended place for aviation enthusiasts. 

During May & late October 2018 I've visited London City, UK for short visit for aviation photography truth is, I went to London MCM "Comic Con" it was located by the airport. May was for landing shots only it turned out fantastic! October the same thing.

And finally we've come to my final flight of 2018 returning back to next Malta for the New Year of 2019 this Sunday. When 2019 comes, UK will be leaving the European Union in March 29th with flights will be grounded until further notice this also includes ferries & trains for the Eurostar & Channel Tunnel. It's too early to explain on future travel movement after Brexit so we have to keep our eyes posted.

As we have one day left till Christmas Day, on behalf of Aircraft Aviation in Europe, we like to thank you for all your like's & support on social media. And we like to wish you a all very Merry Christmas "il-Milied it-tajjeb" and a Happy New Year of 2019.

Merry Christmas! 

See you in 2019

London Gatwick, UK travel disruption 20th December 2018

With five days left till Christmas, passengers arriving & departing UK's second busiest airport London Gatwick is grounded due to drones flew over the airfield last night and this morning. The police are currently on the hunt on the drone pilot & the owner for flying it over the illegal airfield that's not prohibited by law.

Passengers who have their flights booked leaving the UK will have their flights delayed & cancellations until further notice. Flights inbound to London Gatwick have been diverted to London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted and Birmingham. Also other diversions is extended to Paris Charles de Gaulle, France and Amsterdam, The Netherlands until London Gatwick is opened. Airliners can offer customers for transporting to another flight at anther airport depending how many seats are available, claim compensation and offer a hotel stay till more information for future flights.

It might take days for the airport to recover on such horrific incident to all it's customers who are travelling over the Christmas Holidays but safety is the number one priority.

You can keep up to date on London Gatwick's social media sites for any update when the airport will resume and please contact your airline if your flights is & might be disrupted

Ryanair fleet information - End of 737NG

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has ended their order of the Boeing 737 Next Generation this also means that the era of Boeing 737NG is coming to an end and soon Boeing 737 MAX will be the main aircraft to all of it's customers.

Arrivals

Boeing 737-800 

• EI-GXL - delivered in November 2018 now in service.
• EI-GXM - delivered in Noveember 2018 now in service. 
• EI-GXJ - delivered in November 2018 now in service.
• EI-GXK - delivered in November 2018 now in service. 
• EI-GXN - delivered 14th December (last Friday) now in service.

EI-GXN as you know now this is the final Boeing 737NG aircraft to be built & delivered from Boeing and largest Boeing 737NG in Europe. 

Boeing 737 MAX 200

• EI-HAT - on order
• EI-HAV - on order
• EI-HAW - on order

Ryanair has more of these new Boieng 737 MAX 200 for 2019 & beyond so these three are the upcoming arrival into the Ryanair fleet with EI-HAT the first Boeing 737 MAX series to arrive. These aircraft will be replacing the older Boeing 737NG which was a Boeing 737-200 replacements in 2005. 

Top 10 aircraft shots for 2018

This year has been crazy when I traveled into the continent and half way across the world it has been insane. As Aviation in the UK will be a major impact because of Brexit, 2019 will be a major impact. Enough for that, lets take a look at my Top 10 aviation shots I took in 2018. Before we begin, I'm excluding New Years Eve 2018 because I'll be going away for the New Year even though I'll be spotting.

10:  Golden Airbus vs Boeing approach

Taken 4th July 2018.

Two aircraft at one with Norwegian Air Shuttle on final approach with Hi Fly Malta Airbus A380 did a little sharp turn visual approach to Malta runway 13 from Singapore via Abu Dhabi, UAE. Ths was during the Maltese sunset in the Summer evening for a repaint before heading to Farnborough, UK.

9: Dive Reds Dive!

RAF Red Arrows taken 30th August 2018.

This years Bournemouth Air Festival was fantastic because of the outstanding British Summer it had and perfect day for the Red Arrows flying over Bournemouth Pier & across the beach.

7: The new A350-1000

Airbus Industries F-WLXV Airbus A350-1000 taken 22nd July 2018.

As Airbus launched their brand new version of the Airbus A350-1000, this prototype at Farborough International Airshow 2018 was doing an air display and what airlines will be flying in UK airspace including orders for British Airways. Qatar Airways has already launched their 1000 aircraft, we're looking foward to see more of these in the future. This is photo is my favorite because of the sharp turn on the right track, 

6: Good morning or afternoon Asia

Taken in the Chinese Airspace 6th September 2018.

As I've woken up from the Indian Airspace in early September, just a sneak peak I was going to take a photo but instead I've fallen a sleep till I've reached into the Chinese Airspace where it's early afternoon in China while it's morning in Europe. In order to tribute my Top 10 aircraft shots for this year, I have to include this one on-board China Airlines. 

5: I'm taller than a plane!

EasyJet G-EZAP Airbus A319 taken 10th April 2018.

I don't think I've done one of these before. If you are flying from London Gatwick, UK in North Terminal, you can walk up the bridge & take photos of a plane down below.

4: Goodnight from Russia 

China Airlines at the Russian Airspace taken 15th September 2018.

After amazing trip from Tokyo Narita, Japan I went back to London Gatwick, UK from Taipei, Republic of China. As I mentioned about the cabin lights dimmed in long haul flights China Airlines is one of them for their Airbus A350's. Taken in the International Airports in Russia at the Eastern Siberia of Asia, it was time to sleep after 5 hours in the flight from Taipei. 

3: Great planes of London

CityJet EI-RJU British Aerospace Avro RJ85 taken 27th May 2018.

During my May 2018 visit to London City, UK, this has been my request for runway 28 to be in used with the city of London in the background, clouds with sun rising from the clouds of God and seeing the River Thames. CityJet seeing on final before the sunset makes the city look beautiful. Of course when it's the best of British, the aircraft makes The best of British Aerospace aircraft. 

2: Smokey jumbo

Cargolux Italia LX-OCV Boeing 747-400F taken 7th February 2018.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands is the best for spotting depending which runway the airport is using. I have couple of good touchdowns with smoke on the runway so for that reason I've picked this one. Cargolux Italia Boeing 747-400 touched down. This has been the leased popular view on my social media sites so this is why it's at number two.

1: The Golden 747

Martinair PH-MPS Boeing 747-400F taken 7th February 2018.

One of the final spotting shots in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and one of my favorite 2018 shots ever. Why? this was taken during the sunset at sub-zero temperatures at -8 with the sun blocking the clouds turning golden look while the Martinair Cargo Boeing 747-400F was on final approach.

That's my top 10 for 2018 this year has been fantastic & hope 2019 we will see what goes on.