Welcome one, welcome all!
Welcome back to another spotting topic! If you haven’t seen my last one yet, go check it out: Going International.
Last weekend on the 26th and 27th of February, me and a friend embarked on a little spotting journey, going to two airports we were both unfamiliar with. The first day we went a bit further South than Brussels, to Charleroi!
We specifically went there to see Air Belgium’s last A340-300, which will likely be retired by the end of March sadly.
We found a nice little spot with a great view over the runway, which was quite lucky. Unfortunately luck didn’t stay on our side for long, since the arrival of the A340 was in very thick fog… but we were able to see it a bit later in the day, so it was still a successful trip.
Basic information:
- Landing runway: 25
- Departing runway: 25
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T2
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 100-400mm
And now of course the photos!
Right after setting up our things, we got treated to a sight we hadn’t seen before. This Wizz Air Airbus A321neo (HA-LVN) coming in from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP/LROP).
After that we got to see this frosty TUI Airlines Belgium Boeing 737 MAX 8 (OO-TMB) departing to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA/GCLP).
Next up, I experimented a bit with this shot. Here we have one of the many Ryanair Boeing 737-800s (EI-EKD) of the day. This one lining up for a departure to Faro Airport (FAO/LPFR).
And now another experimental shot, the same Wizz Air Airbus A321neo (HA-LVN) getting ready to fly back to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP/LROP).
And now, the star of the day, after arriving from Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport (PTP/TFFR) and deboarding of passengers, the Air Belgium Airbus A340-300 (OO-ABB) is seen here being towed to a parking spot to the side of the airport.
And here we have it right in front of the terminal, with the airport name above it.
Soon after it was parked, we got to see another common visitor at Charleroi, this Pegasus Airlines Airbus A320neo (TC-NBU) arrived from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW/LTFJ).
Quite a while later we got to see this TUI Airlines Belgium Boeing 737-800 (OO-TUK) coming in from London Luton Airport (LTN/EGGW).
And after that we got to see a special livery… for the second time of the day. This Ryanair Boeing 737-800 (EI-DCL) in the Dreamliner livery coming in from Béziers Cap d’Agde Airport (BZR/LFMU).
And last but not least, we have this TUI Airlines Belgium Embraer E190 (OO-JEB) proceeding to line up for a departure to Nador International Airport (NDR/GMMW).
And that’s it! I saw quite a bit more than this, despite this being a much quieter airport. This is likely the last time I’ll see the A340, which is definitely sad, but I’m glad I got it in some nice conditions.
Definitely experimented a bit with some shots, but I think they came out quite good. And if you can guess what airport we went to the day after (yesterday), have a cookie!
Anyway I hope you all enjoyed the shots! Be sure to let me know what you think of them, and I’ll be plugging my Instagram again as usual, so go check that out as well.
My Instagram (most recent post).