The next new airline to operate the Airbus A380 after Singapore, Emirates and Qantas is Air France, who will start flights on 23 November with their first aircraft, F-HPJA. Another two will follow by Spring 2010.

The airline has announced the routes the aircraft will operate as:
Dubai (1 February 2010)
Johannesburg (early 2010)
New York JFK (23 November 2009)
Tokyo Narita (spring 2010)

All will operate from Paris CDG airport. Interestingly, the route to Dubai will start 15 days before Emirates start using A380s on their Dubai – Paris route.

The aircraft will visit Paris Orly on 11 November to test the airport as a diversion field from CDG.

Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates is slowly becoming more of a jewel than Sharjah in terms of the older and rarer aircraft that can be found both operating and languishing there, particularly old Russian types, and dying breeds such as the Lockheed Tristar.

Whilst Sharjah reintroduces its airside access scheme, Fujairah has always maintained its anti-spotter stance. And even though the hill outside the terminal offers a fantastic view over the ramps and resident aircraft, it is usually not worth the police interrogation that most spotters fear, if not experience.

An alternative spotting location recently came to my attention which offers as good, if not better, opportunities to log what’s on the ground at Fujairah. This is a road which runs the entire length of the runway, and can be reached by turning right on the road just before the airport perimeter when arriving from the mountain road leading into Fujairah. Follow it past the end of the runway, and then along the length of the runway with a fence alongside offering views across.

There are litter bins and laybys which suggest this is regularly used as a viewing area, but as always discretion is encouraged as the road is lined with cameras on poles.

Some highlights from the new winter scheduled timetable at London Heathrow may prove popular amongst the spotters. The timetable begins on Sunday 25 October. Here are the edited highlights:

Aegean Airlines will start using Airbus A321 aircraft on their Athens route, twice daily. Arrives 1115 and 1920.

Aeroflot will use Airbus A321 aircraft on all flights.

Air France will start using ATR42-500 aircraft on two of their Paris CDG flights, arriving 1505 and 2115.

CSA will use Airbus A319/A320 aircraft on all flights.

Ethiopian Airlines will use Boeing 757 aircraft on all flights.

Rossiya Russian Airlines will use Boeing 737 aircraft on all flights.

Gulf Air will use Airbus A330 aircraft on all flights.

Libyan Airlines will use CRJ aircraft on all flights.

Northwest Airlines will use Boeing 767 aircraft on all flights.

Qatar Airways will start using Boeing 777 aircraft on QR11/12 and QR17/18 flights.

Transaero will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft on all flights.

On 18 August, the UK Home Office released a circular to clarify counter-terrorism legislation in relation to photography in a public place. This was a result of sections of the Counter Terrorism Act being used to stop innocent photographers taking photos and pursuing their hobby in public places.

Whilst this covers the whole spectrum of photography, no matter what your subject is, it is naturally of importance and relevance to aircraft enthusiasts who take photographs near airports as part of their hobby.

The circular can be read at this link. It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the rules and laws contained within, and even keep a copy handy in your camera bag. For a brief summary, here are some important points:

• Section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 a police officer may stop and search a person they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist, to discover whether that person has in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist. This power can be exercised at any time and in any location.
• Digital images can be viewed as part of a search under section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to discover whether the person has in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist.
• When conducting a search under section 43, cameras, film and memory cards can be seized if the officer reasonably suspects that these may constitute evidence that the person is a terrorist.
• Officers do not have the power to delete images or destroy film.
• Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 enable uniformed police officers to stop and search anyone within an authorised area for the purposes of searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism.
• Section 44 does not prohibit the taking of photographs, film or digital images in an authorised area and members of the public and the press should not be prevented from doing so.

The full article: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/home-office-circulars/circulars-2009/012-2009/

Birmingham Airport will host a day of celebrations on Wednesday 9 September, 2009. The airport is celebrating its 70th year since opening. It is also opening its new International Pier for business on the same day.

The first official aircraft to use the new pier will be an Emirates Airbus A380 operating the regular scheduled service from and to Dubai, in place of the usual Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

To coincide with the historic day, a number of other aircraft are due to visit, including:

* Classic Flight Dragon Rapide G-AGTM from Coventry – a Rapide having operated the first service from Birmingham back in 1939!
* KLM 73H PH-BXA which is in their 90th anniversay scheme is planned to operate the mid morning Amsterdam service
* Lufthansa 321 D-AIRX which is in the retro scheme is planned to operate the evening Frankfurt service
* on the lighter side 20 “classic” light aircraft are expectedto be present during the day on the Elmdon apron.

Thanks to Gordon Stretch at www.bhxflightguide.net for the info.

Sharjah Airport has reintroduced the airside photo pass scheme which was abandoned a few years ago. Traditionally, this was one of the best opportunities for spotters and photographers to get amongst the excellent selection of rarer aircraft that could typically be found at this UAE airport.

Sharjah is famous for the Russian types, cargo aircraft, and Western types from years gone by. It also has been used extensively for storage and scrapping. Sadly the airport is much quieter these days, and many of the stored aircraft have gone. It has instead turned into a major hub for Air Arabia, and services a number of other airlines.

The airport’s website has the application form for the pass. Although it stated the price is AED350, the application form has the true price of AED1000. A little steep perhaps. A minimum of 10 working days is required to process the pass, with the UAE working week being Sunday to Thursday.

What does the pass allow? Well it allows airside access to the various ramps. Whereas in the past you were often free to roam as you wished, these days you will be escorted by an agent.

A quick link to the application form: http://www.sharjahairport.ae/photographyform.pdf