Remarks: AirAsia in the very cool-looking Queen’s Park Rangers FC special livery is taxiing to its gate after a 20R arrival. The football club is partially owned by AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes. 9M-AFV is also named in honour of its former captain Alan McDonald who passed away in June 2012.
Remarks: This one’s had a long history and has been with a number of other airlines before flying with Kalitta. Originally delivered as a -259BM in ‘79 she was later converted to an SF freighter.
She has been with Avianca (HK-2300/HK-2980X/EI-CEO/), Chemco (HK-2300), Tower Air (EI-CEO/ N621FF), Garuda Indonesia/Tower Air (N621FF) UPS (N527UP) & Polar Air Cargo (N924FT).
Remarks: World Airways Cargo has been operating to Hong Kong for many years now with a sporadic schedule for their own flights. They’ve also operated to Hong Kong on behalf of other airlines too such as for Air Canada Cargo in the past & more recently for Etihad Cargo. N276WA was due to enter service with Fedex but is now stored in Victorville being scrapped as N68092.
Remarks: The second A320 with the winglets for AirAsia delivered on 02/28/2013. Further to improved fuel burn & aerodynamic performance these winglets have also improved the look of the A320 considerably, giving you some nice angles to play with for photos.
Remarks: Cathay 744 about to land on 25R with the starboard wing dipping to the right due to crosswinds. HKF is one of numerous ex-SQ P&W-powered 744s CX bought from them over the years.
Remarks: One of Garuda’s 55 738s arriving via 25R. It went from sunny to partially sunny with the arrival of dark overcast skies to the north of the airport.
Remarks: This is easily the best-looking scheme out of all HK-based airlines since Oasis Hong Kong Airlines in my opinion. They now have 4 A330-300s as LNP was delivered on 03/23/2013.
Remarks: Indonesia AirAsia departing from Changi’s 20R bound for Yogyakarta. Originally founded as Air Wagon International (Awair) in 1999 they were rebranded as Indonesia AirAsia in 2005 when AirAsia acquired a 49% stake in the airline.
Remarks: B-6076 in the blue and gold Capital Pavilion livery c/s approaching 25R. This is one of 4 Air China A330-200s wearing a special livery & one of the best special schemes of any Chinese airline I think. Spotting Chinese airlines is never dull as they have many planes in special schemes promoting various things. Air China alone probably has about 15-20!
Remarks: I much prefer their old scheme as I think cheatlines look really good, especially on 747 classics. N521UP begin its life with Singapore Airlines in '81 as a 212B. It then flew for Garuda before being acquired by UPS and converted to a 212B(SF). This aircraft used to carry the “Olympic Partner” special scheme. N521UP was stored in December 2008.
Remarks: Air Pacific has rebranded themselves as Fiji Airways and the first of 3 A330-200s is seen here arriving in Hong Kong from Toulouse as flight FJ2332. It later continued onwards to Nadi on its delivery flight. The airline’s new scheme, representing Fijian culture, looks much more appealing than the old livery and was designed by Fijian artist Makereta Matemos.
Remarks: Polar taxiing to 07R for takeoff on a hazy morning. N452PA now carries the Polar/DHL scheme. Note the Air Tahiti A340 parked at HAECO in the background. Definitely one of the more exotic airlines to have visited this airport (only for maintenance).
Remarks: SQ861 climbing out from 07R. Singapore Airlines has been operating the A380 to Hong Kong since July 9th 2009 (SQ856/861). SQ001/002 has also been operated by the A380 over the 2012-2013 winter schedule but has gone back to the 77W already.
