Earlier this week I was in Madrid on business, flying with Jet2 through Terminal 1. Since Terminal 4 is now the focus of this huge airport, I thought I’d update you on the spotting situation in the older terminal – especially since most low cost airlines seem to serve it.

Once airside, most gate areas have a window looking in either direction along the terminal, and most have views across to the cargo ramp and runways.

An eating area between the A and B gates is fronted by large windows looking over the long-haul part of the terminal.

Further to the south, the extended part of the terminal is much more modern. It handles long haul flights by airlines such as Air Europa, Air Comet, TAM, Santa Barbara Airlines and Aeromexico. This long part of the building has views at each gate across the cargo and sometime storage area, though larger aircraft often obstruct the view.

There has been some discussion on the Civil Spotters group about the best e-mail address to use if you want to obtain a photography permit for visiting Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The best address to use is Le Commandant Xavier Huby at:

xavier.huby@seine-saint-denis.pref.gouv.fr

The amount of time it takes to receive passes seems to vary, but it’s generally accepted that once you have a pass it does not expire.

Christchurch Airport in New Zealand has had an excellent outdoor viewing deck for many years. This is now under threat, however, according to a report by Geoff Pierce.

Improvements to the terminal are likely to close the viewing area, with much more limited views only available from inside.

Geoff states: “I have been in touch with the Airport authorities on an irregular basis, since my last visit in 2006 and subscribe to the CHC redevelopment newsletter. The latest news received today, is that the
viewing deck will `probably` not be finally closing until around November 2009. (usual caveats apply)”

Andy ‘Smudger’ Smith has also given a bit of information about Perpignan – a small regional airport in France just inside the border with Spain.

Perpignan is known for having a small collection of stored airliners parked very close to the road. Some are destined to be sent to new operators, whilst some have languished for many years here.

Despite being parked near the main A9 motorway, you have to come off at the exit signposted for the airport a few miles away to actually get close to them for reading off and photographing. Currently the following are stored:

5N-BFA Douglas DC-9 Sosoliso Airlines
5T-CLP Boeing 727 Air Mauritanie
F-GCGQ Boeing 727 Belair
F-GGGR Boeing 727 Belair
N359PA Boeing 727
PR-MHT Airbus A320 TAM
+ an unmarked Boeing 737-200

Flybe, Ryanair and Air France are amongst the airlines flying to Perpignan. It is very quiet for scheduled traffic.

Andy ‘Smudger’ Smith has recently posted an insightful guide into some of southern France’s main airports and airfields from a spotting point of view. Here are some of the highlights:

Nimes:
Has some stored airliners present. All were spotted from the car park.
F-GNEM DC-10
TR-LTZ DC-8

Montpellier:
Turn right at the roundabout outside the terminal and follow the road to the end. This gives a view of the GA ramp. Alternatively, whilst driving away from the terminal, just after the fuel station there’s a track to the right between hangars and a fenced-off area. This gives a view over the ramp. Stored at the airport is

F-BTTE Mercure

For those of you in the North East of England, or planning on visiting the area, there’s an excellent website for Durham Tees Valley (formerly Teesside) Airport, run by Dave Anderson.

It lists all planned movements and automatically updates them in real time with registrations, types, and other information. It’s a unique tool for the local spotters and perfect if you’re planning a trip.

The site also has a lot of trip reports, photographs and other information on there.

Take a look at www.dtvmovements.co.uk

London City has become a hive of activity in the heart of the city. It is most popular with regional airliners operating short hops to Europe’s capital cities and business centres, and around the UK. You’ll also see many business jets passing through.

There are two main locations for spotting at London City:

1) To the right of the terminal building (when facing) there is an area overlooking the runway and part of the ramp.

2) Following the road to the right as you leave the terminal building, you will come to the GA area. A little further on gives views over the GA ramp and biz jets.

Anyone know any more good spotting locations at London City?

Many people have enquired about what the spotting facilities are like in the new Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport.

I’ve compiled the following information from reports received:

Car Parks
The short stay car parks have views over runway 09L/R arrivals from the upper floors.

Landside
Costa Coffee on the north side of the terminal has windows overlooking the threshold of runway 09L
A view of runway 09R is possible from the south side of the terminal.

Airside
Once airside you can freely move between piers.
The best views can be had at gate A7 over the northern runway.
Gate A18 has views of the cargo area and runway 09R threshold.
Pier B has some acceptable views, but these will decrease as Pier C is built.

As always, please post your comments and reviews of travelling through Terminal 5. It is new to Heathrow, so information is needed on good spots and experiences with your binoculars!

Geneva’s outdoor viewing terrace on the terminal is currently closed for building work to take place. It is unknown whether this will be a permanent closure or just temporary.

Anyone travelling for May’s EBACE will not be able to use it, however.

It is still possible to view from the bar and restaurant area, or the various viewing locations around the perimeter.

Since the UEFA Cup final is being held at the City of Manchester Stadium on 14th May this year, spotters are planning to flock to the airport for the predicted influx of rarer aircraft bringing fans to the city.

Although the teams in the final are not known yet, it will include at least one foreign side.

Because of the expected deluge of spotters, the Aviation Viewing Park will only be open for those who have bought a ticket in advance. They cost £10 and permit one car with passengers. Pedestrians pay £2.

Visit www.tasmanchester.com for more info and ordering details.