Historic BHX - Wednesday 17 December 2003 - the first visit of an Airbus Beluga to Birmingham

Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga Super Transporter F-GSTF arrived from Toulouse when

it diverted in due to fog at Chester - the "first visit of type" to BHX Photo: Mike Hollick

Wednesday 6 February 2013 - Airbus Beluga F-GSTF "5" diverts in due to cross winds at Chester

Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga Super Transporter F-GSTF arrived from Toulouse

when it diverted in due to strong cross winds at Chester.... Photo: Mike Hollick

.... it had previously diverted in on Wednesday 17 December 2003 when it became 

"first visit of type" to BHX - unfortunately it is one of two Beluga's in an all white scheme

.... although it does wear a "5" on its distinctive nose

.... after a tour round the airfield

.... it parked up on the Elmdon apron to wait an improvement in the weather Photos: Mike Hollick

Another angle on the Beluga with the Elmdon building behind it Photo: Ian Cruise

After an extended stay and with no prospect of the weather improving it departed to Bremen....

.... quickly lifting off Runway 33

.... and climbing steeply way

.... over Sheldon Country Park - another interesting day at BHX! Photo: Robert Jones

Lufthansa Airbus A321-231 D-AISE operated their lunchtime flight to Frankfurt

Citation CJ1 F-HKRA which had arrived on Tuesday spent the day well wrapped up

- note its registration on the cover! - before departing in the late afternoon

Cirrus SR-22 PH-JEG was a morning arrival on the Elmdon apron parking up to night stop Photo: Mike Hollick

Tuesday 11 January 2011 - Airbus Beluga F-GSTD diverts in from Chester

Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga F-GSTD "The Super Transporter"

diverted in on Monday evening due to crosswinds at Chester and

spent the day parked on Stand 81 before departing
.

Silver Air Let 410UVP OK-SLD spent the day parked on

the Elmdon apron after operating its first freight service

from Amsterdam on Monday evening.... .. Photo: Mike Hollick
.

.... this is the second aircraft to be registered OK-SLD and

the construction number is 902503.. Photo: Mike Hollick
.

Thomas Cook Airbus A320-231 G-CRPH positioned in to

operate a charter to Hannover

Friday 25 November 2005 - Historic BHX!!

Airbus A300B4-608ST Beluga F-GSTB which diverted in on

Thursday afternoon due to crosswinds at Chester....

.

.... continued its journey
. .... after spending the night parked on the Elmdon apron
- this was the second visit of a Beluga to BHX

Saturday 5 September 2009 - A380 flypast!!

The Airbus A380 has visited BHX!!

.

Airbus A380 F-WWOW carried out two approaches and flypasts

to BHX's Runway 33 as part of a flying UK tour - see below for the

full Airbus release....

.

. . . .... after an ILS approach the aircraft flew along Runway 33.... . .... before climbing away into the murk of an English summers day! . The aircraft wears "Greener. Cleaner. Quieter. Smarter." titles . After a circuit the A380 then carried out a second approach and flypast passing the new International Pier that is being officially opened on Wednesday 9 September 2009 when an Emirates A380 is planned to operate their lunchtime scheduled service from Dubai - http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.com/2009/09/airbus-a380-to-visit-bhx.html .

Thanks to the team from BHX for organising a fantastic event

at the start of a historic week for the airport.... .

.... the Ops team for getting us in the perfect position.... .

.... and BHX's Operations Director who was on the tower balcony to make sure the Airbus A380 did a second flypast! .

Airbus A380 returning for a UK visit 5 September 2009 . The world’s largest commercial airliner, the 525-seat Airbus A380, is returning to the UK for a brief flying visit on September 5. The iconic aircraft will make its first-ever visits to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and brief appearances over England and Wales, during its time here. . The A380 is scheduled to first perform approach-and-go fly-throughs at the airports in the capital city of Edinburgh and Prestwick, Scotland; followed by a flying display at the Northern Ireland International Airshow at Portrush,and a fly-through at Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland. It will also flyover Airbus’ facility in Broughton, North Wales, where Airbus employees will be celebrating the company’s founding 40 years ago, and over Birmingham International Airport in England. . Tom Willliams, Airbus Executive Vice President of Programmes said: “We are proud to welcome the A380 back to the UK, and that it will be visiting Scotland and Northern Ireland for the first time. This visit demonstrates what Airbus and its UK partners do together —design and build great aircraft.” . Birmingham-born Jeremy Cieslik, Vice President and Plant Manager for Airbus in the UK Industrial Operations, is proud to welcome the A380 to his hometown:“I hope the people of Birmingham are as proud as I am of the A380. It is the flagship of the 21st century and sets new standards in eco-efficient aviation. And every one of them is flying with wings designed and manufactured in the UK.” . The aircraft will also be visiting Edinburgh (1340), Prestwick (1400), Port Rush for the Northern Ireland International Air Show (1420), Belfast City (1440) and Broughton (1508) before returing via Birmingham (1540)