GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
ITALY
Rome Fiumicino – Jan 2014
LANDSIDE
The main terminal area has a food plaza which has views of an area between pier D and G. Most traffic should be seen from here taxiing in or out and there are views of the cross runway. However this is a large airport with lots of stands and some stuff will be missed.
The top of Car Park E has good views of the domestic stands and some aircraft parked around the hangers can be seen from here which may not be seen elsewhere. Again most movements should be seen and its a nice view if the weather is good.
If you have a car then good view can be had from the road that runs alongside runway 34L/ 16R. There is a petrol station about half way along which has steps leading up onto the roof of the building. Excellent views of this runway and the crossing runway and most aircraft can be logged. Nobody bothered us up here and there are toilets and refreshments available .
AIRSIDE
Gate areas B, C and D can be walked around freely. G and H require you to go through passport control. The B gates provide good views of the remote stands where most of Alitalias domestic flights park. You can also see the hanger areas and read of a lot of the stored aircraft. The D gates also provide good views and if you position yourself at the end then most stuff should be seen.
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Alitalia dominate as expected with not much else. A few of the domestic charter airlines have a few aircraft based with the usual European carriers making up the numbers. The morning rush covered most of what was based here with only a few new aircraft coming in later on. A good chunk of the domestic fleet can be seen so well worth a visit. Several Air One CRJ 900’s remain in storage around the hanger areas although not all can be logged.
Bergamo – Jan 2014
LANDSIDE
Not sure if there are any views from inside the terminal. The car park to the side of the terminal has good views of the ramp and runway and you can see some of the WFU F27’s.
If you have a car there is a good spot at the threshold of runway 10. Drive out of the terminal area and keep right where possible and you will find a car park with excellent views over the ramp including cargo. I drove around this area to try and find any more views of the F27’s but couldn’t find anything.
AIRSIDE
HOTELS
The NH Orio Al Serio is located opposite the terminal but on the other side of the motorway. Some rooms may have a view but not sure how good it would be. You can walk to the terminal in around 10-15 mins. Driving is complicated so make sure you have good directions. The hotel is also next to a shopping centre.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Dominated by Ryanair with about 25 flights in the morning and a few other low fares like Wizz Air. DHL have a base here with a few flights departing early morning.
Milan Malpensa – Jan 2014
LANDSIDE
Terminal 1 offers good views of the runways and most of the stands. There are various windows throughout the terminal allowing some of the cargo stands to be seen as well.
Easyjet have there own terminal located between the thresholds of runway 17L and 17R. Not sure if there are any views.
AIRSIDE
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Mostly international flights so don’t expect to see much of Italy’s domestic fleets. You will need to go to Milan Linate for them. You won’t even see Alitalia’s long haul fleet here anymore. They have moved all operations to Rome and it looks like all that remains is a daily A330 to New York. Some of the charter airlines have a few aircraft based. Saying that it is still a fairly busy airport with a good mix of international airlines, just not a good idea if you are trying to fill your Italian fleets.
Milan Linate
