The Pope visits Birmingham Airport

Sunday 19 September 2010

The Papal Visit - Pope Benedict XVI departs back to Rome from Birmingham Airport

Pope Benedict XVI ended of his historic four day State Visit to the

United Kingdom at Birmingham Airport before flying home to Rome

on Sunday 19 September 2010 - on arrival at the airport The Pope

was welcomed by David Cameron, the Prime Minister....

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.... who made the closing address
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.... while the distinguished guests looked on
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After the Pope had made his farewell address he had
a few words with David Cameron....
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.... before it was the final goodbyes
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.... and time to board his aircraft for the flight home
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As Alitalia Airbus A320-216 EI-EIB prepared to depart....
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....there was time for a final wave - third window from the left
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.... before the aircraft departed off Runway 15 - next stop Rome!

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For more information on the Papal visit to the United Kingdom see -

.
http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/
.

Sunday 19 September 2010

The Papal visit to Birmingham Airport - a look behind the scenes

After months of planning Birmingham Airport's big day had arrived

- the departure ceremony - which brought the Pope's State visit

to the United Kingdom to an end - was held on the 80's stands....
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.... which had been transformed for the event
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As members of the media arrive to cover the Pope's departure....
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.... the Police conducted final security checks
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The Papal aircraft - Alitalia Airbus A320-216 EI-EIB - arrived
from Heathwow - and was positioned next to the red carpet
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The Alitalia crew had their photo taken by the media....
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.... while the Servisair team - Neil, James and Andy - prepared
for an "on time" departure from BHX
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Everyone ready? - satellite links on line?
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.... and now we go live to Birmingham Airport - and as
they say the rest is history!!
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Well done to all at Birmingham Airport for organising such

a historic event - TV audience estimated at 1 billion! - and

ensuring another "on time" departure
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Sunday 19 September 2010

Sunday 19 September 2010 - the day that the Pope came to Birmingham Airport

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....

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.... with the Pope waving to the crowds as he entered the airside area
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.... and traveled the short distance to his waiting aircraft
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After exchanging farewells with David Cameron, the Prime Minister
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.... it was time to board the aircraft for his flight home to Rome
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.... which departed off Runway 15 shortly before 1900
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.... with the crowds still out in Sheldon Country Park
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Well done to all at Birmingham Airport for organising such

a historic event and ensuring another "on time" departure

The Papal visit to Birmingham and departure from BHX on Sunday 19 September 2010

Work continued at Birmingham Airport today in preparation

for the departure of the Pope on Sunday 19 September 2010

at the end of his State Visit to the United Kingdom

.

Pope Benedict XVI is visiting Birmingham for the Beatification

of Cardinal John Henry Newman at Cofton Park on Sunday

morning - he will then travel, 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

.

The final event of the day is the Departure Ceremony which

will be held at Birmingham Airport at 1815 - the Pope will

then board an Alitalia Airbus A320 for his flight to Rome

- scheduled departure time from BHX is 1845

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The departure ceremony - which brings the Papal tour of

the United Kingdom to a formal end - is being held on the

"80's" remote aircraft parking stands - this is an "airside"

restricted zone and there is no public viewing area for this

event which will be broadcast live on BBC News 24
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The airport will continue to operate normally although they

warn of traffic delays and a more visible Police presence on site
.
A full photo report will appear here in due course
.
For more information on the Papal visit to the United Kingdom see -

.
http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/
.

Saturday 18 September 2010