Pope Benedict XVI bids farewell at the end of his historic State Visit to the United Kingdom as he boards his flight
home at Birmingham Airport....
.
.
.... earlier his aircraft Alitalia Airbus A320-216 EI-EIB had arrived from Heathrow parking in front of the facility that had
been constructed on the 80's stands for the Departure Ceremony
.
.
Pope Benedict XVI had visited Birmingham for the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park and had then travelled,
via to the Oratory in Egbaston, to Oscott College in Sutton Coldfield for
lunch and a meeting with the Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales
.
.
Shortly after 1815 the Papal motorcade arrived at the Airport.....
.... with the Pope waving to the crowds as he entered the airside area.
.... and traveled the short distance to his waiting aircraft.
After exchanging farewells with David Cameron, the Prime Minister.
.... it was time to board the aircraft for his flight home to Rome.
.... which departed off Runway 15 shortly before 1900.
.... with the crowds still out in Sheldon Country Park.
Well done to all at Birmingham Airport for organising such a historic event and ensuring another "on time" departure