The Airbus A300, A330, A340 & A.350 visits to Liverpool.

[Deleted]

Thanks once again to Viscount who originally compiled the following for the old forum

The Airbus A.300, A.310, A.330, A.340, A.350 and A.380
including the A.300STA at Liverpool

The A.300 and the later A.310 got off to a slow start as regards use into Liverpool. Most of the visits have been in the last 10 years. I've simply not got the time to do a complete job, as with the DC-10 and Tristar, however here is a 'taster' of what has been into Liverpool over a thirty year period.

1976

The first visit of type ocurred on 28th April 1976 when T.E.A.(HE) brought in two aircraft with Brugges FC supporters fora EUFA Cup Final, 1st Leg against Liverpool FC. OO-TEG f&t Ostend, with OO-TEF f&t Brussels. Both aircraft arrived in the morning and left after the evening game.

1979

In the early days of the two week-long Firemen dispute that completely closed Manchester Airport in September, twice Britannia(BY) used TEA A.300 aircraft to clear the back-log of stranded passengers as knock-on delays slowed their own fleet down. On 9th September OO-TEF positioned from Brussels, operated to and from Palma, arriving back in the early hours of 10th before positioning to Brussels. A waste of time as later in the day it positioned back to Liverpool to operate to and from Las Palmas, before once again returning to Brussels.

1981

On 30th May 1981, Manchester was shut by strike action, so Laker's new A.300B4 G-BIMA diverted in, routing from Mahon to Rimini. On 24th December, due to weather at Manchester Laker(GK) diverted in with G-BIMB from Tenerife, later positioning across to Manchester.

1982

On 8th January, poor weather at Manchester again caused a Laker Tenerife flight to divert in, this time G-BIMC, the aircraft later departing to Palma.

On 13th July, bulky Ford's freight was brought to Liverpool by A.300C4 D-AHLB of Hapag Lloyd(HF) operating f&t Cologne. It positioned out empty.

1984

On 6th March, D-AHLB of Hapag Lloyd returned, again with Ford freight inbound, this time operated from Hamburg to Cologne, leaving empty on the 7th.

During the summer season, two Liverpool based tour operators (Duggan and Santana) both had flights on the same day of the week to Palma using Aviaco. Twice Aviaco(AO) combined these flights onto a single Airbus A.300B4 of Iberia Airlines, on 27th May EC-DLG, and on 3rd June EC-BNR, operating f&t Palma.

1985

Although for a while a Jumbo jet was rumoured, on 9th April Panathinaikos FC arrived on A.300B4 SX-BEG of Olympic(OA), the aircraft parked at Liverpool until the 11th, f&t Athens.

Everton reached the UEFA Cup Final in Rotterdam (playing Rapid Vienna). Charters brought in the first A.310 aircraft to Liverpool, chartered from K.L.M.(KL). On 14th May, PH-AGB operated from Amsterdam to Rotterdam with Everton team and officials. On 15th Martinair(MP) used PH-MCA empty from Malaga to Amsterdam with supporters, while KLM brought in PH-AGC empty from Amsterdam out to Rotterdam. Onthe 16th, after the game, the Club and officials returned on PH-AGA from Rotterdam to Amsterdam,while the supporters returned on the same aircraft as they went out on, PH-MCA and PH-AGC.

During 1986 airport operations moved from the former north airfield and the 'art deco' terminal with balcony to the new terminal and apron facilities on the south airfield.

1987

Strike action at Manchester affected a number of airlines early in 1987. As a result three Cyprus Airways(CY) A.310 flights used Liverpool. On 31st January 5B-DAR. on 1st February and again 7th February 5B-DAS. The first and last flight operated from and to Cyprus via Zurich both ways, the middle flight via Paris/Orly both ways.

1988

Towards the end of the year twice Orion(ORN) diverted their A.300B4 aircraft into Liverpool due to weather at Manchester. G-BMZK on 20th October from Faro, to Gatwick the next day. G-BMZL on 22nd November from Tenerife, out to Gatwick the next day.

1990

Twice in the year Martinair reappeared with A.310 PH-MCB with freight on behalf of Ford's. On 9th January with freight inbound from Cologne to Amsterdam, while at the other end of the year, on 13th December from Amsterdam to Luxembourg.

1992

By now a number of European Airlines had acquired the A.300. Monarch(MON), whose aircraft home become frequent visitors over the next 15 years, brought in one of their A.300-600s G-MONS for the first time on 14th November, to transport the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to Lille on the 15th. Late on 15th they returned from Lille on G-OJMR.

1993

On 4th January Monarch's G-MAJS diverted into Liverpool due to fog at Manchester, from Milan/Malpensa and out to Las Palmas.

The Canadian Air Force(CFC) on 25th May used A.310-300 15002 to bring in a party of touring war venterans, the aircraft arriving from Shearwater AFB and proceeding to Lahr AFB the next day. 15002 arrived back on 31st May from Trenton, to depart on 1st June direct to Shearwater, Nova Scotia with the returning former servicemen.

1995

Problems with a Spanair(AAN) MD-83 aircraft caused them to combine an EMA and a Liverpool flight using a European Airlines A.300 OO-ING, routing Palma to EMA to Liverpool and back to Palma on 10th June.

On 19th October Martinair brought in Feeyrnoord FC fans in for a game against Everton. They used an MD-11 PH-MCR and an A.310 PH-MCB, f&t Amsterdam.

For the first time an A.300STA freighter (or better known as the Beluga) F-GSTA diverted to Liverpool due to weather at Hawarden on 12th December. In from Toulouse, out to Hawarden.

1996

Problems with one of their Boeing 757 aircraft forced Monarch to position up from Gatwick A.300-600 G-MAJS on 3rd September to operate an Alicante rotation, with the aircraft returning early hours of the 4th, before postioning back down to Gatwick.

1997

Liverpool FC supporters flying to watch a game against Paris St Germain used a Tristar and a Transaer(TLA) A.300-200 EI-TLK out on 10th April Dublin to Paris CdG, returning on 11th routing from Paris CdG, but out empty to Brussels using an (SLR) flight call-sign. On 30th July Transaer returned, this time with EI-TLL for a bash of circuit training, operating f&t Manchester. Monarch used G-MONR for a training flight from Manchester to Gatwick, with a local flight on 22nd September.

On 15th August, Balair(BBB) brought in A.310-300 HB-IPL from Anchorage to uplift fuel and continue onto Zurich. The flight was originally programmed to route through Manchester, I don't think it was ever made clear why it used Liverpool.

1999

Transaer operated a Grand National charter on behalf of Aer Lingus, using EI-CJK on 2nd April f&t Dublin and EI-TLK empty from Gatwick, to Dublin on 5th April.

Air Scandic's A.300-200 G-SSJW was used as a substitute aircraft by Britannia(BAL) in lieu of a Boeing 757, routing f&t Palma on 27th August.

Right at the end of the year A.300STA F-GSTB diverted in from Hawarden.

My detail notes end here as the pace of A.300 visits increases greatly. However I do have a note of which aircraft visited in each calendar year thanks to the excellent annual summary review on the main www.nwan.co.uk site.

2000

G-TNTS, G-TTMC, F-GSTD, OO-TZB, PH-SFL all A.300

2001

G-MAJS, G-MONR, G-MONS, G-OJMR, G-SJWN, G-TTMC, EC-HQT, F-GSTA, OO-TZA, OO-TZC all A.300

2002

G-HLAD, G-MAJS, F-GSTD, OO-TZC, OO-TZD all A.300

2003

G-OJMR, OO-TZA both A.300, and A.310 YR-LCB the first since 1997.

2004

G-TTMC an A.300

2005

G-MAJS, G-MONR, G-OJMR, TC-MNE, TC-OAA, TC-OAB, TC-OAG, TC-ONU all A.300

2006

TC-OAA, TC-OAB, TC-OAG, TC-OAH, TC-OAY all A.300 and CS-TGU, CS-TGV, CS-TKI all A.310s

2007

G-MAJS, G-MONR, G-OJMR, F-GSTF, TC-OAA, TC-OAB, TC-OAO, TC-OAY, TC-ONT, TC-ONU all A.300, and CS-TLM, EC-GMU both A.310s.

2008

Continues with a little more detail added on the next post .................

[viscount]

2008

Quite a drop, down to just 4 different airframes visiting during 2008.

First in was ACT Air Cargo with A.300-200F TC-ACY on Tues 4th March, 1554-1957, from Katowice to Lyneham, thought to have been with car parts inbound. Use flight numbers AHU9001 inbound and RUN373 outbound. This was the last wide-body freighter in LJLA for several years.

Onur Air A.300-600's TC-ONU operated the first outbound Dalaman IT of the year at half-term weekend. Operated on Fri 23rd May, 0740-0913, as OHY3149/3150, positioned in from Istanbul. The rest of the season, right throught to 1st October operated by Airbus A.321 aircraft. However there was also a short peak season operation to Bodrum which were all flown on TC-OAG on 17th, 24th, 31st July, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th August and 4th September.

Last of the type to visit was a revisit by A.300STA F-GSTF/(5) which diverted on Thurs 20th November due to high cross-wind at Hawarden. Arrived 1937 from Toulouse, departing the next day for Hawarden at 1227.

2009

Another year with only limited numbers of A.300/310, indeed not a single 'normal' A.300 appeared. First though were two further visits by A.300STA Belugas. F-GSTD/4 on 21st January 0942-1108 from Toulouse to Hawarden. F-GSTF/(5) on 28th January at 1906, staying overnight until 1009 on 29th. Both diverted due to weather at Hawarden.

Only the second military A.310 to call, a visit on Friday 5th June by German Air Force 10+25 from 0921 till 0124 from Cologne to Hamburg, was very welcome. Calling 'GAF MED1' the visit was in connection with hospital ship FGS Franfurt am Main to the Cruiseliner Berth at the Pier Head.

Liverpool returned from a pre-season Far Eastern trip from Singapore via a fuel stop at Bucharest on Monday 27th July using A.310 F-HBOY of Blue Line. Arrived 0904 as BLE922, leaving at 1027 positioning to Paris CdG as BLE922P.

Football charters and A.300/310s into Liverpool seem to be closely linked. For the Europa Cup League stage against Everton FC, Benfica arrived on CS-TKM of SATA-Air Azores on Wed 4th November at 1229 until 0059 on 6th, f&t Lisbon as RZO9880/9881.

2010

Although the numbers of A.300 and A.310s in service around Europe is falling, 2010 is off to a good start. First a further Beluga visit, with F-GSTD/4 again, this on Wed 17th February due to fog at Chester. Arrived from Tolouse 1142, onward to Chester 1741, as flight 'BGA4TD'.

In February Everton FC played Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League. Sporting used White A.310 CS-TDI, arriving on 15th February, departing early on 19th, f&t Lisbon.

April brought two A.310s of SATA-Air Azores for quarter-final Europa Cup, LFC v Benfica. Quite unusual for the same European club to play both Everton and Liverpool in the same season! CS-TGV as RZO/S4 9740 on Wed 7th April with team and parked for two days until after the match, while CS-TGU as S4 9742 arrived on Thurs 8th with fans on a day-return. Both aircraft had visited before in 2006.

The first visit of a 'normal' A.300 since mid 2008 brought in MNG Cargo's A.300B-600F TC-MNV on Monday morning 22nd November, 0827-1114, MNB118/9, Istanbul-Cologne. This was followed minutes before midnight on Tuesday 23rd November by A.310-300F freighter TC-LER of Kuzu Cargo, operating as KZU963/4, from Sabiha Cocken to Chalons sur Marne, at LJLA 2358-24/0510. Both thought to have been 'just in time' components for Jaguar Land Rover.

2011

The first visit of a A.300STA Beluga was only a few days into the New Year, F-GSTD/4 diverted in at 0922 on Friday 7th January, inbound from Toulouse due to falling snow building up on the runway at Hawarden. After a night stop it continued to Hawarden 0933 the next morning. The same aircraft F-GSTD/4 again diverted to Liverpool on Saturday 4th February at 1040, due to low cloud and heavy rain at Hawarden. Arriving from Toulouse, it night stopped at Liverpool, leaving for Hawarden the following morning at 0926, again using BGA4TD as the call-sign.

First passenger Airbus A.310 of the year was a revisit by SATA International's CS-TGV (previous visits were in 2006 & 2010) which arrived on Wednesday 16th March as RZO9740 from Porto at 1210 with SC Braga for a Europa match at Anfield. Departed early hours of Friday 18th at 0125 as RZO9741 back to Porto, with the aggregate winners, having knocked LFC out of the competition. First A.300 of the year was provided predictably enough by Monarch, who brought G-OJMR into Liverpool at 2134 on 6th October as MON547M from Lanzarote, en route to a congested Manchester, working just one runway. Just under 2 hours later completed its journey to Manchester.

2012

No passenger flights by any A.310 aircraft during 2012, however there were visits by Monarch's G-MAJS and by A.300 STA Belugas F-GSTB and F-GSTD. Almost certainly the last visit to LJLA by a passenger carrying A.300 - time will tell though.

2013

Only visits by A.300STA Belugas F-GSTA and F-GSTD on diversion from Hawarden. No passenger flights by either A.310 or A.300.

2014

Beluga F-GSTD/4 diverted in during 2014. With Monarch taking their final A.300s out of service during the winter 2014/15 season, it does appear that 2012 will rank as the final year of the type on passenger flights through Liverpool.

2015

We did not have to wait long for the first visit of a Beluga in 2015, with F-GSTF/5 arriving on 29th January at 1950 from Toulouse, staying overnight and to Hawarden the next morning at 1115 - due to winds at Chester. However conditions at Chester ere not as good as forecast, so at 1217 the aircraft landed back at Liverpool, departing at 1355 back to Toulouse empty. On 12th April F-GSTB/2 was the Beluga diverting into Liverpool from Toulouse, due to winds at Chester, departing 0759 the following morning for Hawarden as BGA114B. The wind at Hawarden was again the cause of F-GSTB/2 diverting to Liverpool on 8th July inbound from Hamburg at 1723, leaving 23 hours later at 1625 to complete the journey to Hawarden.

2016

On 14th February F-GSTD/4 arrived at 1725 for a precautionary landing with a flaps issue. Less flaps meant a higher landing speed, and there was not enough runway at Chester to ensure a safe stopping distance. The aircraft was at Liverpool for two days while a solution was found, leaving empty for Toulouse on 16th February at 1725.

Although Beluga aircraft had been diverting into Liverpool for a period of near 20 years, one of the fleet had eluded landing at Liverpool. That came to an end on 9th March when F-GSTC/3 as flight BGA 114C from Toulouse landed at Liverpool at 1431 due to gusting winds at Chester. The flight departed Liverpool 1746 as the conditions at Chester had calmed considerably. Just over a month later it was F-GSTF/5 en route from Hamburg that need to divert into Liverpool on 11th April at 2030, leaving for Hawarden the next day at 1132, call-signs BGA 134F/144F.

2017

Two visits by Belugas during 2017, both during January. On 15th January F-GSTC/3 landed at 1747 inbound from Toulouse due to winds at Chester, completing the flight at 1103 the following morning as BGA 214C. Ten days later F-GSTF/5 inbound from Toulouse as BGA 114F diverted into Liverpool at 0936 due to morning fog persistently hanging over Deeside. Following clearance of the fog, the aircraft left Liverpool at 1221 to complete the journey to Hawarden. On 23 November it was again F-GSTF/5 inbound from Toulouse at 1359. The reason for diversion is unclear, as at 1651 it departed, apparently direct back to Toulouse still empty!

2019

With no visit by the type to Liverpool in 2018, it would be 16 months before the next arrival, F-GSTC/3 on 28th March 2019 inbound from Hamburg at 1211 with a 'tech' issue that prevented landing at Hawarden. The aircraft leaving for Toulouse, still empty, at 1746. Flight numbers BGA 143C/141C.
On Sunday 29th September, F-GSTC was back again on Sunday afternoon 29th September, this time due to low visibility at Chester. It arrived from Madrid Getafe and was on the ground for an hour and half until conditions improved.

By late 2019 the new Beluga XL had commenced services into Hawarden to collect Airbus wings - we will have to wait to see how it is before one of the new breed of Belugas first calls at Liverpool.

2020

On Tuesday 11th February 2020, F-GSTD/4 landed in the early afternoon at Liverpool after trying at Hawarden twice to land in strong gusting winds, the tail end of Storm Ciara. Under a fortnight later it was winds on Sunday 23rd February that brought in F-GSTC/3 in the late morning. So just the two A.300STA Beluga aircraft called during 2020.



(updated April 2021)

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The standard A.300/A.310 only has a span of visits of 37 years (1976-2012), there are so few around Europe now, that each visit is potentially a last visit of type, and with Monarch retiring the last of their fleet opportunities for a visit are further reduced. The Beluga conversion of the A.300 seems destined to serve for a number of years yet, and with the frequency of visits into Hawarden increasing, diversions continue to be likely.

[Beemer]

1025 Airbus A310 calling GAFMED1 of German Air Force on a medical flight into LJLA 05-06-2009


1025 Airbus A310 WGAF by Beemer328i, on Flickr


Ramp shot at Liverpool of White A310 CS-TKI taken March 8th 2006.

CS-TKI Airbus A310 White by Beemer328i, on Flickr

Seen at LJLA 01-06-2012

G-MAJS Airbus A300 Monarch by Beemer328i, on Flickr

[viscount]

Thought I had already entered the A.330/340 to add to the much longer A.300 story at Liverpool. With A.330 activity during March 2011, time to actually enter the concluding parts to the Airbus wide body story at Liverpool, as requested by several in conversation on the 27 mound as the grey cells were tested trying to recall the previous visits by type.

Unlike types such as the Boeing 747, Boeing 767, Douglas DC-10 etc, the early visits of the A.330 or A.340 were not mainly on diversion, but on flights intending to use Liverpool. While there may not, yet, be that many visits to record, many have a story with a wide variety of reasons to have called at LJLA, so on with an account of all Airbus A.330 visits to Liverpool Airport.

The Airbus A.330 visits to Liverpool

1995

The first three visits of type all involved the same aircraft, A.330-301 EI-JFK of Aer Lingus. In mid December Ireland played Holland in a Euro '96 qualifier at Anfield. Taking part in the airlift of fans from Dublin, Aer Lingus used an A.330, replacing the Boeing 747 usually seen at Liverpool on football fan airlifts. The high-capacity lay-out A.330, in 'Vacations Ireland' titles, brought supporters into Liverpool on Wednesday 13th December 1011-1127 as EIN4244/5, returning later with a second load as EIN4246 at 1412. The aircraft that waited at Liverpool until after the match, departing as EIN4247 in the early hours of Thursday 14th at 0048 hours. It was not long before it was back empty as EIN4248 at 0233, to collect the second load, departing 0353 as EIN4249. All flights from & to Dublin.

2002

Some years passed before the next A.330 visits. On Monday 26th August JMC sent A.330-243 G-OJMC across, from and to Manchester for circuits. At Liverpool for an hour 1346 until 1448.

For a European Champion's League match at Ainfield, the supporters of Basle FC arrived in 9 aircraft, the largest being Airbus A330-223 HB-IQK of Swiss International Air Lines on 25th September, arriving at 1422, leaving after the match early on 26th at 0328. Operated as CRX9426/7, from & to Basle.

2003

The annual spring Lourdes pilgrimage from Liverpool, in 2003 used Monarch Airbus A.330-243 G-EOMA. It positioned in from Gatwick at 1238 on 20th April as MON088P. The charter left for Tarbes Airport at 1453 as MON9088. The return charter a few days later utilised a Monarch A.300.

2005

The Red's invasion of Istanbul for the European Cup Final in May was enabled by a fans airlift. A great number of aircraft were employed drawn from all around Europe. LTU of Germany provided A.330-223 D-ALPB. On Wednesday 25th May at Liverpool 0839-1053 as LTU9698 from Dusseldorf to Instanbul Sabiha Goken. The fans returned on Thurs 26th 1150-1318 on the reverse routing as LTU9699. Monarch too provided A.330s for the fan's airlift. A.330-243 G-SMAN was at Liverpool on Wedensday 25th 0546-0719 as MON026P/8026 from Manchester to Sabiha Goken. The fans returned morning of 26th 0611-0807 as MON8027/027P from Sabiha Goken to Cardiff. Taken outbound on another aircraft type, A.330-243 G-EOMA arrived with fans on Friday early hours, 0253-0427 as MON8031/031P from Sabiha Goken to Belfast International.

2007

Best year yet for seeing A.330s at Liverpool Airport, four different aircraft were to be seen during the year, not all football related. First A.330-243 was a further visit to LJLA by G-EOMA. Towards the end of the Premiership League season, Charlton Athletic were facing demotion. Much depended on the outcome of an away game against Blackburn Rovers, so to boost away support Charlton hired two Monarch A.300s and a A.330 to fly the fans to Liverpool, then coach them to Ewood Park - at just £65 each, return. "Operation Ewood" brought G-EOMA to Liverpool 1045 until 2045 on Satruday 28th April, from & to Gatwick. For the record Charlton lost and went down.

In May, Liverpool FC fan's painted Athens red in another European Cup Final. Alongside Corsair Jumbos, two A.330s were involved. bmi British Midland provided A.330-243 G-WWBM on Wednesday 23rd May, at Liverpool 0551-0745, from Manchester to Athens as BMA9731/7961. The team returned on this aircraft, Thursday 24th, at LJLA 1302-1418, from Athens to Manchester as BMA7962/9749. Shortly after the Monarch A.330 on Wednesday 23rd May, another A.330 participated in the fan's airlift with Brussels Airlines' A.330-301 OO-SFO at Liverpool 0754-1011 as DAT1121, from Brussels to Athens. Return was early on Thursday 24th at 0637-0752 as DAT1122, from Athens and positioned back to Brussels.

On Thursday 18th October, an end of season I/T flight was operated by a My Travel A.330-243 rather than the usual narrow-body equipment. G-MLJL was at Liverpool 1121-1322, from Manchester to Lanzarote as MYT227P/227, returning later with the inbound load, 2232-2359 as MYT228/228P, Lanzarote to London/Gatwick.

There then followed several years without further visits by type.

2011

Virgin Atlantic, although an operator of the Airbus A.340 for a number of years, in Spring 2011 the airline took delivery of the first two of an order for ten Airbus A.330-300s. While the crew are now trained in a simulator, the CAA require a short period of intensive 'route' flying before licensing the airline to operate the type. On Monday 21st March, Virgin Atlantic brought A.330-343 G-VSXY to Liverpool from Glasgow to Manston in the afternoon, on the ground for half an hour, 1435-1507. as VIR831T/832T. The aircraft returned in the late afternoon of Wednesday 23rd March, 1624-1652, again as VIR831T/832T, routing Gatwick-EMA-Glasgow-Liverpool-Manston-Gatwick. A third visit in the same week, brought in the same aircraft (although initial plans had the other aircraft expected) on Thursday 24th, 1316-1337, as VIR831T/832T, main difference was a need to use 09 rather than 27 for landing and take-off.

2012

Five different A.330 aircraft appeared at LJLA during the year: G-EOMA, G-MDBD, G-MLJL, OY-VKG & OY-VKH.

2013

PK-GPA Garuda with LFC for a far east tour. Aircraft marked up with LFC decals for the duration of the tour.

2014

Although other wide body types visited during 2014, no Airbus A.330s featured.

2015

The first visit of an A.330 visit to Liverpool John Lennon in 2015 was in February with a Turkish Airlines bringing in a football team for a European Cup match at Ainfield. TC-JNL arrived late from Sabiha Goken due to falling snow, arriving 1721 on Wednesday 18th February, leaving at 0151 in the early hours of Friday 20th after the match. This was followed during the evening of Wednesday 1st July a Thomas Cook aircraft diverting to hold on the ground while a thunderstorm over Manchester Airport made landing there hazardous. Once the storm had cleared the aircraft and passengers on TCX2853, G-TCXB continued to Manchester to complete their journey.

2016

With LFC in the Europa cap final in Basle and the number of fans limited by the stadium size, the only wide body featuring in the fans' airlift was an XL France A.330-303 F-HXLF. It arrived on Wednesday 18th May from Paris/CdG at 0717 and left full at 0902, returning after the game from Basle 0256 on Thursday morning 19th May at 0256 and departed back to Paris/CdG at 0405. Later the same day LFC team and staff arrived back from Basle on Virgin Airbus A.330-343 G-VGBR at 1438, positioning to Heathrow at 1537 as VIR 9952/993P.

2017

Although other wide body types visited during 2017, no Airbus A.330s featured.

2018

A good year for A.330 visits to Liverpool John Lennon, all the aircraft being in connection with LFC European League Cup games. First in were Porto FC team and staff for a European League Cup match with LFC. They arrived on Hi-Fly A.330-202 CS-TQP at 1240 on Monday 3rd March and departed on 7th at 0053, directly after the match. The next round was against Roma FC, their fans arriving on several aircraft, including Alitalia A.330-203 I-EJGA on Tuesday 24th April, arriving from Rome/Fiumicino at 1204, departing after the game Wednesday early hours at 0147, flight numbers AZA230/231. In the scramble to find airlines worldwide to transport LFC fans to the finals in Kiev, South African Airways were chartered to supply their Airbus A.330-200s normally day-stopping at Munich. So on Saturday 26th May ZS-SXW positioned from Munich to Liverpool at 0953 and onward to Kiev at 1138, the return operated by ZS-SXY arriving Sunday 27th at 1414 from Kiev and empty back to Munich at 1646.

The following football season, an early game in the League matches brought Paris St German to Liverpool. The PSG contracted Aigle Azur to supply an A.330 for the team and staff. Their arrival on Monday 17th September was delayed, and a substitute aircraft, an Air Caribes Airbus A.330-323 F-HPTP arrived at 1816 from Paris/Orly and at 1926 departed for Bordeaux empty. After the match an Aigle Azur A.330-223 F-HTIC arrived from Paris/Orly at 2203 on Tuesday 18th, taking the PSG team and staff to Paris/Charles de Gaulle at 0036 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

2019

The football theme continued during the 2018/19 season, with further A.330 (and an A.340) aircraft appearing at Liverpool. Barcelona FC fans travelled in some numbers to watch their team loose by a considerable margin at Anfield, having won their first leg (home) game. Air Europa A.330-203 EC-JZL in the new blue AEA scheme arrived with fans from Barcelona at 1207 on Monday 6th May, departing empty for Madrid 1325. The same aircraft was back from Madrid at 2250, departing with 'bewildered' fans in the early hours of Tuesday at 0110. Having crushed Spanish opposition, next came the final in Madrid. Charter companies found airlines more willing to supply aircraft on a weekend than the previous year. Fans were carried to Madrid in some numbers on a variety of narrow and wide-bodied aircraft. Included in the airlift was a Virgin Airbus A.330-343 G-VLUV on Friday 31st June, positioning from Heathrow 1040 and departing for Madrid at 1349 as VIR 619. The fans taken out on the Virgin Airbus returned after the match on a Titan Boeing 767. On the Saturday 1st June further fans departed on an Iberia Airbus A.330-202 EC-MLP on the ground 0348-0620, returning on EC-MNL on Sunday 2nd on the ground 0507-0700.

Need to add CS-TQW, F-ORLY & F-OFDF to 2019. No visits by type 2020.

2021 - 2023

December 2021 and January 2022 (20+ PPE flights), Paris final (10 flts) and ZZ331 (3 movements) then CS-TKH in February 2023

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

A.330s seen at Liverpool:
CS-TQP
D-ALPB
EC-JZL, EC-MLP, EC-MNL
EI-JFK
F-HPTP, F-HTIC, F-HXLF
G-EOMA, G-MDBD, G-MLJL, G-OJMC, G-SMAN, G-TCXB, G-VGBR, G-VLUV, G-VSXY, G-WWBM.
HB-IQK
I-EJGA
OO-SFO
OY-VKG, OY-VKH
PK-GPA
TC-JNL
ZS-SXW, ZS-SXY (=28 different aircraft)

Flown by:
Aer Lingus, Aigle Azur, Air Caribes, Air Europa, Alitalia, bmi, Brussels International, Garuda, Hi-Fly, Iberia, JMC, LTU, Monarch, My Travel, South African Airways, Swiss International, Thomas Cook, Thomas Cook Scandinavia, Turkish Airlines, Virgin International, XL France (= 21 operators, or 20 depending on if you consider JMC and Thomas Cooks as the same operator).

Usual rider for one of these type surveys, that while I know I have every different aircraft in a year covered, it is just possible I have missed every visit by a particular aircraft in a year.

Over to you to dig into your image collection and post photos of the aircraft covered above at Liverpool.

Airbus A330's involved in the transportation of PPE equipment from China.


VP-BUA Airbus A330 200 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr


VP-BUB A330 200 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr


VP-BUC A330 200 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr
 


VP-BUH A330 300 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr


VP-BUJ A330 300 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr


VP-BUM Airbus A330 300 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr


VP-BUP A330 300 Nordwind by Beemer328i, on Flickr


9H-HFA Airbus A330 300 Hi Fly Malta by Beemer328i, on Flickr

[viscount]

The Airbus A.340 at Liverpool

With few long-haul charters originating at Liverpool, it is not a great suprise that the A.340 has, so far, been a rare aircraft at Liverpool Airport. However, there have been visits, the rate of which has accelerated (slightly) during the later half of the Twenty-Tens.

1994

First visit by an Airbus A.340 brought in A.340-311 G-VSKY on 12th August as VIR340T/341T, routing from and to London/Heathrow on a 'navigational training flight'. A week later, on 19th August it was the turn of A.340-311 G-VBUS as VIR340T/341T, this time in from London/Heathrow and out to Edinburgh, again as a 'navigational training flight'.

1995

Virgin Atlantic A.340-311 G-VBUS returned on 13th October as VIR832/833T in from Shannon and out to London/Heathrow on a 'training' flight. It is thought though that each of visits collected/dropped off a member of the Branson family who was at Liverpool University.

2001

Brunei Government VIP A.340-212 V8-BKH visited on 16th January, operating from and to London/Heathrow. Although four-engined wide-bodied aircraft were not welcomed at Liverpool Airport at the time due to fear of damaging the threshold, because this A.340 flight was departing relatively light, it was permitted to operate as the outer engines need not be run on full take-off power.

2015


CS-TFX A340 Hi-Fly by Beemer328i, on Flickr

Yes, over a decade passed between visits. After a gap of 14 years, an Airbus A.340 called again on Saturday morning 25th July 2015. The first visit by a series 540 ultra-stretched model. For their second Far East Tour, Liverpool FC used a Hi-Fly Airbus CS-TFX A.340-542 departing direct to Bangkok on 12th July from Manchester (using the longer runway there). On 25th they returned over-night direct from Kuala Lumpur, landing after a 12 hour flight at Liverpool at around 0845. Near 2 hours later the aircraft departed for Brussels empty.

No visits by type in 2016 or 2017.

2018


ZS-SNC A340-600 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

In their desperate search for aircraft to transport LFC fans to Kiev for a Saturday European Cup Final, tour operators approached scheduled airlines with aircraft on long day-stops at European Airports. One airline willing to accept a charter was South African Airways, offering both an Airbus A.330 and an Airbus A.340-600, making this the first visit to LJLA of the ultimate stretched version. On Friday 25th May ZS-SNC operated Frankfurt-Kiev/Borispol, at LJLA 0918-1153 arriving empty as SAA 4363. The fans arrived back at LJLA at 1602 on Sunday 27th May from Kiev/Borispol, the aircraft positioning back to Frankfurt at 1852, operated as SAA 2974/4259.

2019


CS-TQY A340 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

All white Hi-Fly Airbus A.340 CS-TQY brought in Porto FC on Monday 8th April at 1316 to meet LFC in the European League Cup, departing with the Porto FC team and staff the day after the match, on Wednesday 10th April at 1217. In early June no Airbus A.340 aircraft were employed in the fan's airlift to Madrid for the final.

No visits by type during the travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic years 2020 or 2021. Back to business in 2022.

2022

Three visits by Airbus A.340-300s during 2022. Two were connected with the Covid pandemic and come towards the end of a 55 flight airlift of PPE equipment from China to the UK through Liverpool Airport. Hi-Fly Malta (HFM) used Airbus A.340.343 9H-JAI (wearing 'Spice Xpress' titles) twice on direct flights from Shenzen Airport China to Liverpool on Saturday 5th February arriving 1349 (the 45th flight of the airlift) and again, also direct from Shenzen, arriving 2321 on Thursday 10th February (the 51st arrival of the 55 flight airlift). On Wednesday 7th September 1922 Real Sociedad FC used Air X Charter of Malta (AXY), with Airbus A.340.312 9H-BIG arriving at 1727 from Vitoria. Real Sociedad were to play Manchester United FC, however due to ground work in progress could not park an A.340 for two days. Real Sociedad returned to Vittoria at 1622 on Friday 9th September from Liverpool Airport.

[viscount]

A380 LJLA by brianl_thompson74, on Flickr


A380 over LPL GA by Beemer328i, on Flickr

Perhaps a little 'tongue in cheek', but as the "Beemer" shot above shows, the A.380 has been in Liverpool Airport's airspace on least three occasions and very close just the once!

The Airbus A.380 over Merseyside

2006

On Thursday 18th May 2006, Airbus A.380-841 F-WWDD overflew Liverpool City Centre at 1130, descending over the River Mersey to overfly Liverpool Airport before turning towards Hawarden to perform a couple of go-arounds there, showing off the completed product to the Airbus wing builders there. Clearly seen on overflight of the Airport, leading to a claim that Liverpool ATC were the first ATC airport unit to handle the 'Super Jumbo' at low level in the UK. From Hawarden, it flew down to Bristol/Filton to show off to Airbus employees there, before making an historic first landing of type at Heathrow, where it took part in handling trials.

F-WWDD was in standard Airbus 'house colours' scheme, with blue tail with intersecting partial rings logo.

2008

On Saturday 12th July 2008, Airbus A.380 F-WWDD at 1331 performed a low (estimated at 25ft) go-around on runway 27 at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The aircraft departed northwards up the line of the River Mersey, overflying abeam the City Centre, before giving an impressive display of its handling capabilities off the Wirral Show at New Brighton. It climbed out and proceeded to the SBAC Show, Farnborough.

All white, with slogan (in green) 'A better environment inside & out' on the tail.

2009

On Saturday 5th September 2009, Airbus A.380 F-WWOW displayed over Hawarden Airfield during the afternoon at a private air show held for Airbus workers at the airfield. The aircraft was clearly seen from Liverpool Airport on descent into it's display over Hawarden.

In full standard Airbus 'house colours' with blue "intersecting partial rings" tail colours, plus slogan 'Greener, Cleaner, Quieter, Smarter' in blue on fuselage side between the window lines.

2010 onwards

Although not in Liverpool ATC airspace, the daily Emirates A.380 into Manchester can fairly frequently been seen in the distance arriving or departing Manchester Airport (depending on the runway end in use).

[andyh]

Monarch A.330 G-EOMA from 2007



Aer Lingus A.330 EI-JFK from 1995

[Beemer]

CS-TGU arr 27 08-04-2010

CS-TGU A310 Sata International by Beemer328i, on Flickr

EC-JZL Airbus A330 landing 27 06-05-2019

EC-JZL A332 Air Europa by Beemer328i, on Flickr

F-FWWD overshooting 27 12-07-2008

F-FWWD A380 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

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Currently the final outstanding large airliner currently in service with European Airlines that needed to call at JLA:

The Airbus A.350 at Liverpool

2021

It took a while for there to be reason for an Airbus A.350 to appear at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. One such a reason was presented in April 2021 with a visit by Real Madrid FC to Anfield for the second leg of a European Cup fixture. The big Spanish clubs have a track record of using wide-body aircraft types as their choice of travel around Europe. So on Tuesday 13th April 2021, Iberia Airlines Airbus A.350-941 EC-NIG called at JLA bringing in Real Madrid for the match and marking the first visit by a Airbus A.350 to Liverpool. No supporters due to Covid-19 regulations being in force. The aircraft stopped at Liverpool overnight, arriving Tuesday 15th at 1231 and departing after the Wednesday evening match at Anfield at 0031 in the early hours of Thursday 15th May.

2022

Taking part in the uplift of LFC fans to the Paris European Cup Final in May, one of the airlines providing aircraft was Ethiopian Airlines. On Saturday 28th May ET-AYN an Airbus A.350-941 operated f&t Paris/CdG 0827-1147 transporting fans outbound. They returned on Sunday 29th, with the aircraft again operating f&t Paris/CdG 0916-1022 this time using ET-AYA.

2023

The third consecutive year that A.350s have visited JLA in connection with football matches. With LFC again facing Real Madrid, their opponents arrived on an Iberia Airlines (IBE) Airbus A.350-941 EC-NXE on Monday 20th February at 1201 for a first leg match at Anfield. The aircraft left after 80 minutes on the ground. EC-NXC was used to collect the team, it arrived on Wednesday 22nd at 2127, departing with the Real Madrid team and staff at 0130 in the early hours of 23rd.

Last amended end of February 2023.

Airbus A.350 aircraft seen at Liverpool:

EC-NIG, EC-NXC, EC-NXE.
ET-AYA, ET-AYN.

[Beemer]

EC-NIG Airbus A350-941 of Iberia landing r/w 27 @ 12:29hrs with the Real Madrid football team.


EC-NIG Airbus A350-941 Iberia 


EC-NXE Airbus A350-900 Iberia by Beemer328i, on Flickr