The sale of the airport was ordered to counteract what was described as a lack of competition in the UK airports market, particularly in London where BAA held Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports. This should bring much better choice and prices for passengers, with new airlines and routes likely to be announced.

The sale is still to be approved by the European Union – expected to be finalised in December.

For the enthusiast, the sale is likely to spice up the mix of operators flying into Gatwick, although details of this will only come as GIP take over and the new operation takes hold. It is highly unlikely we will see any official spotting locations return, but who knows?

The San Bernardino International Airport is opening on the site of the former Norton Air Force Base, which closed in 1994. A new terminal has been built, and is already fitted with check-in kiosks, arrivals and departures screens, escalators, offices, and an automated voice which warns passengers not to leave baggage unattended. Coupled with 3000 new jobs being created in the surrounding areas recently, on paper the outlook seems rosy. But in these times of airlines cutting back routes or closing down, and recession hitting hard, does this part of California need another airport?

You can read the full story here.

If the airline does start to attract operators, you can be sure we’ll cover the opportunities for enthusiasts. If you’re a local, why not tell us what the new airport is like by leaving a comment?

Cartagena is a lovely old walled city, full of Caribbean charm, colourful buildings, endless vistas of the sea, sunsets, and great wining and dining experiences. But you’re here for the aircraft, so I’ll carry on.

The terminal at Cartagena Airport is very modern. And sadly it does not knowingly cater for the spotter at all. When arriving or departing, passengers funnel through a walkway which leads between the aircraft and the terminal. If you’re in the departure lounge, your view out of the window is of this walkway and its slatted wall. In order to see aircraft, you have to wait until they move, and with binoculars focussed on a gap, hope the registration passes by.

Nevertheless, once you walk to/from the aircraft, you do get a chance to see what’s on the smallish ramp. This usually includes MD-80s and F100s of Avianca, EMB-190s of AeroRepublica, 737-700s and DHC-8s of AIRES, and the odd US airline such as Spirit. Movements are fairly quiet – maybe 4 per hour at peak times.

Cartagena does play host to a number of biz jets each day, however. They park either to the side of the airliner ramp, or on the ramp on the opposite side of the runway. Also, there are a number of Air Force and Navy aircraft in residence, including Casa CN235s.

Around the terminal there are no obvious views of the aircraft, apart from on the road passing the end of the runway, where you’ll see aircraft just as they depart or land. I wouldn’t venture much around looking for holes in the fence, as there ‘s a strong military presence, and the housing area is quite poor around the airport.

AeroRepublica HK-4506 at Cartagena

AIRES 737-700s fly from Bogota

These two biz jets were in Cartagena in July 2009

Cartagena Airport from above

On Twitter, we are known as airportspotting. You can find us on this link: http://www.twitter.com/airportspotting

http://crankyflier.com/2008/12/31/airlines-we-lost-in-2008/

G-EZDM A319-111 – New easyJet delivery
G-TTII A321-231 – New GB Airways/easyJet delivery
G-FDZP 737-8K5 – Now flying for ThomsonFly, ex TUIfly
HB-JQG EMB-190 – New Baboo Airways delivery
TC-JGZ 737-8F2 – New Turkish delivery
TC-SGF 737-83N – Leased to Air Algerie
TC-SGG 737-83N – Leased to Air Algerie

As always, send us your comments and updates to this list

There were already a number of their aircraft parked here, and some are reportedly stored in Ostend, Belgium.

The airline operated a fleet of Boeing 747 classics and DC-8′s.

This is a great opportunity to go get these classics before they move on!

As you’d expect with a leisure venue, the list of carriers mainly includes low-cost and charter airlines, as well as a healthy selection of smaller airliners from private airlines.

The best location to watch the action is on the top floor of the new car park opposite the terminal. From here you can see across the entire airfield, and even to the military base on the far side.

Stored airliners at Atlantic City include an ex-Delta L1011, ex-united Boeing 747SP, and ex-Air Canada Boeing 737. These can also be seen from the parking garage.