Merry Christmas!

2020 is almost over, this year has been very complicated while the pandemic is still with us. This year for me has been a disaster just for me, everyone who works for aviation. Travelling has really impacted me as well as aviation spotting so let's start at the beginning. 

We start in January when I was in Malta for the New Year celebration with my friends when Coronavirus has started to spread slowly across Europe. After I went to the UK from Malta, I've started to feel very unwell all of the sudden so I might have caught it maybe a symptom without even knowing so I had it for two and the half weeks & fully recovered. Later on in January I went to Amsterdam, The Netherlands for couple of days of my birthday it was great for a tourist other than plane spotting because my old digital camera has almost kicked the bucket other than Holland still very cold for spotting. 

January was special for my UK friends because, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland including Gibraltar has left the European Union with a transition period ending next Thursday. I'm curious about my rights are because I'm an EU Citizen so 1st January 2021, UK wakes up independently & new rules to UK Immigration.

In March, lockdown has started until June & this is when it started to effect my travels. If you remember, I was suppose to go to Greece connecting to Asia travelling to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Coronavirus has gone out of control on these Asian countries apart from Greece so I decided to postponed it. I was thinking to go to Greece in Athens anyway but lockdown talks started in February where this trips meant to start so it's better to postponed everything. Following the pandemic, I travelled with Flybe from Holland in January then less than two months later, it ceased operations one of first UK regional to go during the pandemic. 

In the Summer, borders re-opening for some here in Europe so I wanted to get away from this mess & head to Amsterdam again in August. However, when I arrived their UK Government has put on quarantine so lucky I arrived in Holland before it happened. Before I went to Holland, I bought a brand new DSLR Camera  Canon EOS400D. I've used it in parts of the spotting area in Amsterdam Airport & it came somewhat success due to my lens being short range at 75mm so I'm currently browsing for a new long lens. 

In September I went back to Malta without doing Flight Report due to family concern from Covid lucky their ok now. Malta International Airshow meant to start in that month until it's postponed to next year due to high infection rates. Back in the UK, I was quarantined yet again in early October.

And finally this month in December we've come to an end. Sadly I can't travel due to Covid test requirement I can't to during the Christmas week so we'll have to wait in January. Well see what 2021 will give us hope for travel & into the future. 

To my fans, I like to wish you all a very Merry & healthy Christmas 2020 and wish you all a Happy New Year for 2021. 

                                        Merry Christmas! 

                                      "il-Milied It-Tajjeb!"

                             From Aircraft Aviation in Europe

                                              See you in 2021.

Top 5 aircraft photos for 2020

As the Coronavirus has impact aviation all over the world, 2020 has been very difficult for plane spotting for me. I didn't do much spotting this year due to the pandemic so let's take a look at my top 5 aviaiton spotting pics for 2020 taken on my old Fujifilm to my new Canon camera.

5: In loving memory of Flybe

Taken on my phone. This was taken on a scheduled flight from Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Southampton, UK on a normal early 2020 taken in the end of January with Flybe. As the Coronavirus Pandemic started in the UK, Flybe ceased operation in 5th March 2020. Although Flybe struggled before the pandemic & promising Virgin Connect was meant to re-rand it didn't started & completely abandoned after Flybe collapsed. This was my first & recent flight from January until I didn't travel in August when lockdown in June was eased. Their are rumours since October, Flybe might return in 2021 so we'll wait & see.

4:  Farewell retro (Air Malta)

Used my old camera. Almost every airliners around the world have retro livery some still have, some don't and some left the fleet. Taken in New Years Day 2020, Air Malta on scheduled flight as normal months before the pandemic started. 9H-AEI Airbus A320 had months left before the end of the lease until it was withdrawn from Air Malta in March 2020. Originally one of my fleet information it was planned to joined Getjet airlines, it has dropped & now with Trade Air 9A-BTI. As our lovely retro is gone, few more Airbus A320neos are on order but will we see retro painted again? no one knows. Sadly it did not have a send off when Malta was in lockdown.

3: In loving memory of Queen of the Skies (Passengers on some airliners)

Taken before the Coronavirus Pandemic in January, many airliners in Europe started it's plans to withdraw it's Boeing 747-400 for good from KLM, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in the mid 2020's. Lufthansa however is still hanging on but still in storage. Rossiya - Russian Airlines is still using their 747's in service.  BA, Virgin and KLM have retired all their Queen of the Skies so this is my tribute. 

2:  Goodnight KLM

This was originally going to be number one which is a very tough decision to choose. What you can see here is a KLM Asia Boeing 777-200 arrived in Malta from Amsterdam, The Netherlands for a re-paint to modern KLM livery including it's Asian titles. I cheated a little because the image at night time was not the best being taken from my phone, my previous camera didn't take better night time photo unless theirs extra lighting so this mobile image deserves the best.  

1: Approaching Amsterdam

To celebrate using my brand new Canon EOS400D DSLR camera, I've did a little test on lower aircraft with an attachable lens with a max of 75mm. I must say on my blog on Aviation in Amsterdam, The Netherlands back in August, this must be the best photo I've ever took and this get's my top favourite spotting photo for 2020. This KLM Boeing 777 aircraft on final from Tokyo Narita, Japan during a overcast/rainy condition ish.  

And  their you have it, I know this year was disappointed due to Covid-19 let's hope what joy can we bring to 2021. I am returning to Malta in December so top 5 pics will not be changed just for fun. 

Aviation in Malta September 2020 (US Air Force Edition)

Last month I went back to Malta to see my family during the current situation thankfully, their ok. September was mean't to be Malta International Airshow 2020. Because of the pandemic & rising cases in Malta, the airshow was postponed to September 2021.

For me when I arrived I didn't do alot of spotting only for local airliners such as Air Malta, Malta Med Air, Malta Air and Maleth-Aero. I did see other airliners in Malta so I will not include this blog. This month was special becasue we had special visitors coming all the way from the United States so let's take a look what us Maltese air spotters have seen.

US Air Force 07-7181 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III taken 26th September 2020.

                    Before the main attraction, this Boeing C-17 Globemaster III arrived for a stopover. 

US. Air Force 07-7188 Boeing C-17 Clobemaster III taken 30th September 2020.

Before the main aircraft touches down into Malta on 29th September, we had another Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. First of all, any US Air Force aircraft in general encase of US President, Vice President, US Diplomats or Secretary who are on the US Air Force planes on Boeing 747's or 757's etc are followed by this C-17. So when for example President Trump is airborne, another aircraft follows it. 

US Air Force 80002 Boeing C-32 taken 30th September 2020.

The main visitor. This is US Air Force Two normally carrying U.S. vice president. This flight did not have U.S. Vice President onboard due to the upcoming US Presidential Election so what we have on this aircraft was United States Secretary of Defence Mark T. Esper arrived on 29th September from Andrews Air Force Base, USA holding talks to our Maltese leaders. I won't go into more encase of security concerns online. The aircraft left on 1st October & C-17 followed it. This is a Boeing C-32 a modified Boeing 757-200. If you go back into 2015 blog I've travelled to the United States & spotted Air Force One when former President Barack Obama was in power visiting Las Vegas. 

Other US Air Force planes I've missed out was a Boeing C-40 Clipper and C-37 Aircraft.

Aviation in Amsterdam, The Netherlands August 2020

Long time no spot. While I'm currently on 2 week quarantine, we are going to look at more plane spotting photos in one of my favorite European airports Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This time what you'll about to see, these photos are taken from my brand new Canon EOS 4000D. And will be my favorite shorts & bit of editing while I'm browsing for a new lens.

 

Jet Airways VT-JEW Boeing 777-300 delivered in 2007 ex VT-JEE taken 14th August 2020.

We start with the first aircraft taken on my new camera starting with an Indian faded airliner Jet Airways. Originally delivered to Jet Airways as VT-JEE in 2007 it has been re-registered  & been used to other airliners with Turkish Airways in 2008 leased by Jet Airways then following year in full Turkish Airlines livery & registered as TC-JJC. It was brought back to Jet Airways in 2011 as VT-JEL until in 2014 it joined Etihad Airways as A6-JAF, and finally in 2016 it was brought back to Jet Airways one last time re-reg to the present time. 

Before Jet Airways ceased operation in 17th April 2019, this aircraft was impounded by the cargo handler due to unpaid fees in 10th April 2019. Now in 2020, this long waited Boeing 77 is currently on hold for it's flying future. 

KLM PH-BQD Boeing 777-200ER delivered in 2003 taken 14th August 2020.

This could be the best aircraft spotting photo for 2020. What we have here when I try to get use to my new camera is a KLM flight from Tokyo Narita, Japan on final runway 36R with landing lights on. I have multiple shots from different editing so this could be my favorite one. 

DHL Air G-DHKC Boeing 757-200F originally delivered to Ibera in 2000 ex EC-HIX taken 14th August 2020.

DHL regularly visits Amsterdam using their Boeing 757's as this aircraft from DHR Air from the UK operating for European Air Transport from Leipzig, Germany.

Air Canada C-FNNQ Boeing 777-300 delivered in 2013 taken 14th August 2020. 

Air Canada seen in it's brand new livery on final from a flight from Toronto Pearson, Canada. When I was last in Amsterdam back in January, Air Canada was primary using Boeing 767-300ER until in June 2020 when Air Canada retired their 767's due to Covid-19 & replaced by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Ryanair EI-DPB Boeing 737-800 delivered in 2006 taken 15th August 2020.

Ryanair seen on final Malaga, Spain in the early hours of the evening. It also operates from Dublin, Ireland. Because Schiphol airport is very expensive to Ryanair when it comes to landing fees etc, Ryanair has a hub in Eindoven one of Ryanair's biggest hub in The Netherlands. Also only few flights to Masstrict near the border to Belgium. I might have repeated it but this is a reminder if Ryanair is in your budget to The Netherlands.

Qatar Airways A7-BFC Boeing 777F delivered in 2011 taken 15th August 2020.

Qatar Airways Cargo you see here is a daily visitor to Amsterdam with their Boeing 777 and Boeing 747-8F I've only seen the Boeing 777. 

Air Bridge Cargo VQ-BFE Boeing 747-8F delivered in 2015 taken 15th August 2020.

And speaking with 747-8, Air Bridge Cargo seen on final from Moscow in Russia can't remember which part of Moscow. Another Boeing 747 photo I'll mention at the end as why their's so many freighters than passengers. 

TUI Airlines Netherlands PH-TFL Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner delivered in 2014 taken 15th August 2020.

TUI Airlines Netherlands are having same experience with TUI Airways from the UK as half of their planes are still grounded due to the current pandemic. Most of their Dreamliners for TUI Airlines Netherlands are in long haul & some of their short haul flights by sending out Dreamliners & Boeing 767's.

Emirates Sky Cargo AG-EFM Boeing 777F delivered in 2013 taken 17th August 2020.

Emirates Sky Cargo comes daily into Amsterdam if it's from the UAE, United States, Asia or just Europe you see Emirates Sky Cargo like flies with only 11 of these. If you want to see Emirates not by passenger but for cargo, you got an option to see this in Amsterdam for freighters.

Air Malta 9H-NEB Airbus A320neo delivered in 2019 taken 17th August 2020.

An airline I miss home. Air Malta was one of a few first flights to restart after lockdown from Malta until recently Dutch Government put us on quarantine list when arriving back to Malta lucky I traveled from the UK. Anyway, Air Malta operates in morning & sometimes early evening schedules to Amsterdam. 

Singapore Airlines 9V-SFP Boeing 747-400F delivered in 2005 taken 18th August 2020.

Singapore Airlines Cargo now part of Singapore Airlines operate it's freighters mostly to Asia but also in the UK & the US using their Queen of the Skies. 

KLM Cargo PH-CKA Boeing 747-400F delivered in 2003 taken 18th August 2020. 

And finally we all wan't to on KLM's Queen of the Skies. KLM is still operating the last remaining Boeing 747-400 from passenger to cargo. Their are still Boeing 747's left still operating for passengers theirs I think one of them used as cargo for PPE during the current pandemic. The only 747 photo I only got for KLM is this one operated by Martin Air. 

Honorable Mention

Western Global Airlines N513SN McDonnell Douglas MD-11F arrived from Chicago O'Hare, USA in 17th August 2020. It's rare to see MD-11 in Amsterdam since KLM retired their MD-11 in 2014.  I've seen the aircraft arriving but no photo due to different spotting location. 

More of my spotting photos in Amsterdam are on my Facbook page.

Quick look in London Gatwick, UK 14th August 2020.

Before I went to Amsterdam, The Netherlands I like to take a look what is going on in North Terminal. The airport if you seen my Easyjet flight report is not busy on airside when it comes to air traffic. Let's take a look on few airliners at London Gatwick, UK.

British Airways G-YMMD delivered in 2000 taken 14th August 2020.

First up, is the return of British Airways in North Terminal temporary while South Terminal is closed & operating small flights to the Caribbean with only Boeing 777 aircraft.  

TUI Airways G-TUIK Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner delivered in 2017 taken 14th AUgust 2020.

TUI Airways has been sending their Boeing 757's, 757's and 787 Dreamliners mostly to Europe & Turkey from Gatwick. It's too early when TUI Airways will operate long haul again. 

Ryanair unknown registration Boeing 737-800 taken 14th AUgust 2020.

Not the best shot from my phone. Ryanair originally operates from South Terminal now temporary move to North Terminal where this flight arrived from Dublin, Ireland. Ryanair's rival Aer Lingus also from South Terminal has no flights currently operating at Gatwick at the monument. 

Taken 14th August 2020.

Two aircraft in one first we have Turkish Airlines Airbus A321neo and Air Transit Airbus A321neo preparing a flight to Toronto Pearson, Canada. We'll focus on Air Transat, because it was primary sending either Airbus A330 and Airbus A310. With the departure of Airbus A310 less than a year ago we will be seeing this brand new A321neo primary use in Gatwick from Toronto while other Candian destinations is on hold due to the current pandemic. 

Taken 14th August 2020.

As you can see, lots of British Airways aircraft at South Terminal are all grounded as well as TUI Airways normally at South Terminal. I don't think Easyjet planes are grounded. 

Easyjet G-EZOA Airbus A320 delivered in 2014 taken 14th August 2020.

Finally we have Easyjet in Easyjet Holidays special brand arrived from Gibraltar. In the background you'll see three TUI Airways 2 737's and one classic 757 next to a grounded British Airways A320. Since TUI Airways is not grounded, it's still operate it's flight I've mentioned from the Dreamliner photo. 

Around that pier we should have see Emirates Airbus A380 from Dubai, UAE being the only A380 operation. Norweign Airlines with their 737's & 787 Dreamliner from South Terminal is no where to be seen. Virgin Atlantic puled out of Gatwick. Thomas Cook ceased operations a year ago months before the pandemic. It has been very difficult for the aviation industry at Gatwick & fear that British Airways could be moved to Heathrow. This year has been the worst hit for my second favorite UK airport it's still unclear about it's future as it will take years to recover.

My Flight Report Easyjet flight EZY8878 Amsterdam, The Netherlands - London Gatwick, UK 18th August 2020 *COVID-19 EDITION*

Airline: Easyjet
Flight: EZY8878

Type: Airbus A319

Reg: G-EZDI
Flight of origin: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Terminal: All D
Destination: London Gatwick, UK
Terminal: North Terminal

Flight time: 40 minutes 
Type of travel: Non-Schengen flight outside the EU/EEA

Welcome to an outbound Flight Report to the UK from The Netherlands. We are heading back to the UK with Easyjet flight to London Gatwick. 

Entering the terminal is like normal life at Schipol. Before you start to check-in, their is a sign that wearing a face mask is required. We mean't to hand over out Dutch Health Screening Form because now flights (including ferries) from The Netherlands to the UK are required to quarantine no one at the airport staff, immigration and the gate mentioned it.  

Their is a 1 meter plus social distancing in The Netherlands so many Dutch travelers follow the guidance depending on other travelers. To me, social distancing when I was in downtown Amsterdam looks like normal way of life. The ePassport gate was closed so I wen't to EU Citizen passport control desk with a friendly talk about removing my mask. 

My aircraft back to Gatwick is the same aircraft that took my to Amsterdam on the 14th August. I'm happy to say, the chocolate stain on row 8A is gone & the cabin is fully cleaned. The aircraft was 85% full compare my last flight was roughly 40% full. 

Departing Amsterdam was smooth with beautiful weather as we enter the North Sea coast. Cabin crew did an amazing job with announcement on Covid-19 then snack bar service. If you don't know, Easyjet are only accepting contactless credit/debit card payment. It didn't take long when snack bar service was finished & get ready to throw rubbish away.

As we've entered the UK aircspace, I've spotted former Manston Airport shame it was covered up by the clouds. As we started decending, we've gone through pretty cloudy path until our final approach into Gatwick where it was a little bit windy. 

And I arrived at Gatwck apart runway 26L few minutes early. Our gate was 572 right at the back of  North Terminal we did have a 15 minute wait next to the control tower due to an aircraft already at our gate to leave.

UK Quarantine 

Before arriving to the UK, all passengers must fill in passenger location forum online by the British Government by 48 hours before arriving into the country. It must be shown by UK Border Force fail to do so will deny entry to the UK & face fines. You can do it at the airport with a QR Code. 

I didn't use the ePassport gate due to Brexit Transition Period many EU citizens like myself didn't use it so I went to the desk. They still got UK/EU/EEA line (as well as Blue Channel for Customs) but I wasn't so sure so I followed it. When it was my turn, showed the immigration my location form and I've entered the UK without getting stamped into the country as freedom of movement continues until 31st December 2020. 

Finally I'm at my house currently on 14 day quarantine.

My overall rating:

• Cabin: 10/10
• Hygienic: 10/10
• Food: N/A 
• Cabin Crew: 10/10
• Service: 10/10   

Overall: 10/10

Thank you Easyjet.

My Flight Report Easyjet EZY8877 London Gatwick, UK - Amsterdam, The Netherlands 14th August 2020 *COVID-19 EDITION*

Airline: Easyjet 
Flight: EZY8877
Type: Airbus A320

Reg: G-EZDI
Flight of Origin: London Gatwick, UK
Terminal: North Terminal
Destination: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Terminal: Hall D

Flight time: 40 minutes
Type of Travel: Non-Schengen flight outside the EU/EEA

Welcome back to another Flight Report & welcoming to a brand new edition for Covid-19 on today's report. We are celebrating today on travelling back to The Netherlands today with Easyjet after months of chaos during the lockdown.

Before we go into the report, all passengers are required to wear a face mask before you enter the airport terminal building & wash your hands from a sanitizer station. Fail to do so will refuse on travelling. Same goes for temperature checks upto 38 degrees or more. 

Entering Gatwick, you are greeted by sanitizer station. I already carried one so it's better to use their stations. 

Easyjet is home to self-service drop off baggage at Gatwick, at first I don't like to do it while Covid-19 is still active when using the touchscreens so make sure you use the sanitizer again. 

Going through security is normal so the only different is social distancing up-to 2 meters (same for check-in). When arriving at the gate for all airliners, you need to scan your boarding pass yourself, show the gate agent your passport with your face mask off to make sure I'm the passenger to board. This also includes check-in at the desk.

Airside was pretty busy with lack of social distancing. This was taken after I passed security where it's somewhat calm. However, when eating Weatherspoon is super busy & long wait in the que. Other restaurants on the first floor Yo Sushi and Jamie's Italian, Starbucks etc are still closed.

Before we board the aircraft, we have to scan our boarding pass, remove my mask & show my passport the agent can't touch our passports. It does have face shielding. One negative from Easyjet is that speedy boarding passengers has temporary stopped due to the airline's Covid policy. When queuing to the aircraft via jet bridge, their is no social distancing which makes it impossible. 

Our aircraft operating by Easyjet UK. Originally my flight was mean't to be on 15th August on a Saturday instead, I was giving free flight to be pushed back to 14th August so got an extra day in Amsterdam. Easyjet has temporary stopped all Saturday service when I was emailed a couple of weeks ago. Aircraft we're heading to Amsterdam is a 12 year old Airbus A319 in new Easyjet livery delivered in May 2008.

   

And so for the first time in seven months, I'm now back in the sky heading towards Amsterdam with a flight time only 40 minutes. After departing Gatwick, the clouds over the UK started to get stormy with this huge cloud you can see is avoidable through this airspace. Cabin crew did an amazing job when announcing about Covid-19 & serving drinks and duty free. While we're still at the Covid-19 pandemic all aircraft must be cleaned & fumigated however, I've spotted something that's gross on row 8A. 

A huge stain that looks like chocolate. It look absolutely disgusting! it really needs to be super cleaned if Easyjet care's on people's lives in the pandemic. 

We arrived in Amsterdam Schipol Airport early.

Arriving in The Netherlands is somewhat different depending where you've traveled from recently. After going through passport control from the ePassport gate I've finally arrived in Amsterdam. This is a lucky one because, I arrived one day before quarantine between the UK-Netherlands started so I don't have to self isolate. 

My overall rating:

• Cabin: 10/10
• Hygienic: 7/10
• Food: N/A 
• Cabin Crew: 10/10
• Service: 10/10   

Overall: 8.9/10

Look out for the next Flight Report coming in few days time. 

Malta International Airshow 2020 Cancelled

 

In view of the rise in covid-19 cases both in Malta and in Europe, the Malta International Airshow is cancelled. Additionally, the decision to ban mass public gatherings by the Government of Malta has had a direct effect on the event. The Malta Aviation Society committee deems that the airshow falls squarely in this category and has thus stopped all preparations for this year's much-awaited event.

The Malta Aviation Society is presently waiting for a reply from the Malta Tourism Authority - the main sponsor of the event - to ascertain that the agreement for the 2020 airshow rolls on to 2021, so that preparations get underway for an airshow in 2021.

The Malta Aviation Society thanks all stakeholders for the support shown during the preparatory phase of this year's event.

"The Malta International Airshow"

Malta MedAir

9H-AEO Airbus A320 has started it's first every flight from Malta - Warsaw, Poland. The first flight as MM02 departed Malta International Airport at 2:30pm & arrived back at 10:15pm to/from Chopin Airport. 

MaltaAir is government owned  and will be operating numbered of charter flights to European destinations. All captain & crew are all Malta MedAir not from Air Malta crew. 

Aircraft is previously owned by Air Malta delivered in May 2006. It's been with them ever since just been painted in Valletta - European Capital of Culture twice in previous Air Malta livery & current livery. 9H-AEO was brought to Malta MedAir in August 2020 with their logo covered the Air Malta logo on the fuselage & replaced on the engine in full Air Malta brand. 

Air Malta fleet information (2nd August 2020)

Withdrawn

• 9H-AEO Airbus A320 delivered in 2006 already with Malta MedAir in service. Currently in Valletta - European Capital of Culture & Air Malta brand. 

Arrival

• F-WWIV Airbus A320neo currently a test registration will soon to join Air Malta fleet. We will soon find out what the new Maltese registration will be.  

Return on air travel (Upcoming travel movement & airshow for Summer/Autumn 2020)

Air travel is starting to come back to life in Europe. It means my upcoming travels are going to restart this Summer into Autumn this year. 

August

This August will be making another trip to Amsterdam, The Netherlands since my last travel was back in January from The Netherlands before the lockdown started months later. For something different from my recent flight report, this will be a Covid edition. Since London Gatwick, UK is currently changing it's flights for British Airways moving it's slots to London Heathrow, this will be an Easyjet Europe flight.  This will also include outbound back to Gatwick. I've recently bought a brand new DSLR camera from Canon we'll see how spotting photos will come up with.

 Their will be no quarantine to arrive in The Netherlands from the UK. 

If you may remember I was originally going to travel to Newark, USA unfortunately, United Airlines has cancelled my flight due to high cases of Covid-19. The current travel to the United States remains an amber warning. So my Newark flight is postponed to next year. 

September/October

I'll be heading home to Malta to attend Malta International Airshow 2020. With good news from the Maltese Government starting back in 1st July few flights have already restarted. UK will re-start next week with no quarantine required. This will include a flight report for Covid-19 edition on travelling into Malta from Bournemouth, UK only. At the beginning of October will be heading back to London Gatwick, UK so I will include my experience of Malta International Airport in this current situation. 

Airshows

Sadly for upcoming airshows that's close to my area for Farnborough International Airshow 2020 and Bournemouth Air Festival 2020 is cancelled in the UK due to Covid-19 & fears on social distancing and encase of high positive cases. This includes all airshows in Britain are cancelled. 

And you just heard, Malta International Airshow 2020 is giving a go ahead at Malta International Airport and an unknown location. Smart City will not be doing aerobatic display. their still currently thinking somewhere up north of Malta. We're still waiting on which aircraft will be attending this year. 

Jet de Go! What is it?

While I'm stuck during the Covid-19 pandemic, hear is a bonus blog on what I think is most interesting flight simulators on a home game console.

Over my years of using flight simulators from Microsoft, I wanted to try something different than that platform on PC. As we are preparing for the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC and Xbox One (or Xbox Series X), let's like to take a look back into the 1990's from other flight simulators on home video game consoles.

Jet de Go is an arcade flight simulator originally released in 1999 developed by Taito behind classic arcade titles Puzzle Bubble series. Jet de Go was released only in Japan for the PlayStation, Game Boy Colour and Bandai Wonderswan. It was also released for the PC later on in 2003 so we're going to focus on the PlayStation version.

Jet de Go franchise is all based on Japan Airlines with fleets on various difficulty. The fleets on this game are, BAe Jetstream, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 747, Boeing 777-300, McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and unlock-able planes such as Boeing 737-400. I can't find any information if these planes on Jet de Go are licensed by The Boeing Company, McDonnell Douglas Corporation (for GPWS & Warning sounds as well as aircraft modeling) and British Aerospace Plc I guess they are from the developer Taito.

During the gameplay from beginner to middle difficulty, you are on the runway waiting for takeoff & make cabin crew announcements in Japanese only air traffic control & pilots speaks English. During takeoff from the arcade mode, you'll get a result on how you preform both takeoff & landing as long the aircraft follows the red line which this will lead to the next round. For landing, once you've touched down, the game ends with the same results but remember, this carry points to proceed to the next round.

Advanced difficulty which is a Boeing 747 for 300 & 400 series your in a taxiway but you need to taxi to the runway for your departure on arcade & career mode.

Their are two bonus stages. First one, you are a pushback vehicle towing any aircraft by pressing a button to gain pressure. If it's full, the pushback will tow the aircraft back faster. If it's in lower, the vehicle will have less pressure. A miss won't tow the aircraft.

Second bonus stage you are a marshaller. You don't need to do anything in control all you do is press a button on the controller till it get's to it's spotting point.

After the final round of the game is over, you are seen FMV of aircraft flying. Sadly none of these aircrafts are no longer in Japan Airlines fleet with the only exception of Boeing 767 and Boeing 777. 
Their is also what I think is a career mode. You can pick any aircraft & fly like a normal flight simulator from A to B only for Japan's domestic flights by selecting an airport if you can guess in Japanese.

Taito also released the official Jet de Go controller for the Playstation with small throttle and large yoke with traditional Playstation buttons. It looks very cool if you own one of these. When I was in Japan two years ago I saw one for pretty cheap till I realize my suitcases are small (the box is huge). 

If I come across it again, I'll  buy it. I have the game. However, PlayStation is region locked so you'll need a Japanese console in order to work.

Theirs also a sequel released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 & PC Jet de Go 2 the controller might be compatible for the PS2 we'll talk about that in the future. And finally, Jet de Go Pocket was released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). In future we'll look at those two games.

British Airways information on London Gatwick, UK

Similar situation on Virgin Atlantic. British Airways meanwhile are in a crisis in the Coronavirus Pandemic, Britain's biggest carrier are currently in talks to remove British Airways out of London Gatwick it has not been confirmed yet. This also leads to the amount of job cuts over 12,000 to all staff working at Gatwick & Heathrow.

Because now BA is one of London's second busiest hubs in the UK, BA is going through some tough times on if they have no choice to cut flights or possibly abandon Gatwick all together so we could see Gatwick slots to operate low-cost for EasyJet, Ryanair and TUI similar style to Luton, Stansted and Southend. 

Other talks from BA that if the airline cease Gatwick, the flights who booked with British Airways will most probably be transferred to Heathrow similar way to Virgin Atlantic. As we are currently living the pandemic, we just don't know the future on aviation.

Virgin Atlantic travel & fleet information (6th May 2020)

British carrier Virgin Atlantic is no longer operating flights in London Gatwick also includes future travel. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Virgin has cut 3,000 jobs similar to Ryanair's experience & ending hubs. Most of 3,000 staff with Virgin was at Gatwick for captain, cabin crew, staff and lounge. This also helps the airline to avoid any disaster encase the rescue deal with Virgin failed similar to Flybe & will go into administration. Virgin Australia has also gone into voluntary administration according to Australian insolvency law.

Passengers who are booked with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick said it will be moved to London Heathrow. And finally, sad news about the fleet. Boeing 747-400 have now retired only based at Gatwick and Manchester. One more fleet news from Virgin Atlantic. Airbus A340-600 has retired & now one aircraft 9H-EAL ex G-VNAP "a Big Virgin thank you" special brand is now delivered to Maleth-Aero from Malta painted "Thank You NHS" currently based in Bournemouth & recently traveled to China, Malaysia, Hungary back to Bournemouth Airport for masks & PPE equipment.

Travel information: Travels postponed due to Cornavirus pandemic

We are going to postpone upcoming travels and plane spotting due to the Coronavirus crisis still happening across the world with Europe's worst hit Spain & Italy while the rest of Europe & the world continues to spread. Because I'm living in the UK, & currently on lock down we don't know what will happen next for travel especially Summer Holidays is coming real soon. We just have to wait & see weather the lock downs will extend where ever you live or wait from Government advice if it's OK to travel or not. I was due to head home to Malta yesterday, sadly my flight was cancelled because British Airways planes are grounded.

Just to say from myself, I am well completely in self isolation & will continue to do my aviation news & update on here and other social media sites. Please stay home, protect the national health and save lives.

 ibqa 'ssalva

Aircraft Aviation in Europe

Germanwings ceased operations 7th April 2020

Announced on 7th April 2020, German low-cost carrier Germanwings previously owned by Lufthansa has decided to shutdown airline partly due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Their hasn't beeen a lot of information about Germanwings as Lufthansa also announced it will be cutting Airbus A380, Boeing 747-400,  Boeing 747-8, Airbus A340-300/-600. More information can be found in other social media websites.

We've starting to see many European low-cost airliners to go due to the pandemic for example the first airliner hit was Flybe from the UK it has been in trouble for a while before the pandemic UK Government & Virgin try to bail out then the Coronavirus kicked in. Now Germanwings is gone, we're expect to see more European airliners to go than any other airline company across the world.

Corendon Boeing 747 Hotel?

Former KLM's Boeing 747-400 made it's final resting place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands almost coming to a year since it made it's final resting place for the Queen of the Skies. PH-BFH originally delivered & brand new to KLM in June 1989 naming her City of Bangkok. KLM's final flight of this 747 from Los Angeles, USA back to Amsterdam in 25th November 2018 making her 30 years old.

KLM immediately withdrawn's City of Bangkok the day after it made it's final flight from LAX & the final disassembly began to become a hotel by Corendon Village Hotel. In February 2019 PH-BFH was completed in full Corendon livery & now converted as a hotel room where it's final resting place right next to the building of  the hotel.

The only thing KLM removed is the engine as you can see it's not real. 

From distance, it's a very beautiful looking jumbo jet. As you get closer it seems like you are boarding the aircraft via remote stand, After looking for some research inside this 747 as a hotel I couldn't find any images what it looks like. Sadly I didn't get a chance to get in but hey, it's a wonderful looking Queen of the Skies.  

This is not the only aircraft that's turned into a hotel. In mid 2010's a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was converted into an apartment for Airbnb.com it looks like living inside the MD-11 for life.

You can now book your room on the Corendon website for a large fee to stay inside a Boeing 747 aircraft. The aircraft is located at Schipol Airport next to Ibis Budget. Once you walk through a tunnel, you should be able to see the Queen of the Skies looking right at you.