Knocking
On Heaven’s Door
After a gap of almost two years to the day,
to be stood outside
The once leafy, almost laid back atmosphere of this quiet backwater with its Arabic round terminal providing unrestricted views of the double parked AN-12s, IL-76s, B707s etc has now undergone major surgery.
Two classically designed spacious extensions have been added to the original building, one either side, adding a vibrant, thriving ambiance to the airport. The original taxi rank has gone, being replaced by a new car park. At 09.00 hrs the airport is busy with check-in for Air Arabia’s morning departures. The view of the ramp has now been obliterated, but that is the price of progress.
This visit had taken some three months to arrange, only finally being confirmed on 12th December 2006. The access to enthusiasts is still a non-starter as the building work is not scheduled to be completed until late March, early April 2007. The implications of health and safety issues during this work have crucial implications on insurance aspects.
The Airport Authority had finally allocated two days for photography and meetings. Access to the Pass Office is still through the “old” departure building but there is no longer airside access through here.
It is worth noting that whist the world’s weather pattern is on the change, Sharjah is no different. The weather during the previous ten days had been somewhat inclement to say the least, so to be greeted by wall to wall blue skies and 26 degrees was somewhat of a monumental relief because these trips incur a considerable investment, particularly considering the late date for approval.
At 09.30hrs, our escort Sultan Al Shamsi appeared and assisted the team in obtaining the appropriate photography passes. It is vital to stress that photography of aircraft these days is very politically sensitive and security is totally diligent. So be warned that the use of a camera can invariably lead to arrest, questioning and potential confiscation. In these days of digital photography, then the consequences can be catastrophic.
For those enthusiasts who used to complain at the cost of the photography pass - last priced at £52 per day - then when the facility was withdrawn, it was a case of not appreciating what was on offer, until it had gone.
Access airside is now through the new terminal, through Passport Control, quite an experience really with no boarding card, but Sultan Al Shamsi, took care of all that. The new departure building, to be completed yet externally, is totally modern, spacious and complete with all facilities, a total innovation to the 21st century.
Emerging into the bright sunshine, the feeling of invigoration to once again feel the Sharjah tarmac under one’s feet is nothing short of brilliant. As mentioned, the double rows of transports that once populated the side of the terminal have now been moved to the three other ramps.
To a certain extent, this has made life easier, as it is now easier to calculate what aircraft is going to park where. It is still essential to obtain a movements list from Sharjah Ground Operations, but this is no longer available to each and all. Once again thanks to Sultan Al Shamsi.
Almost immediately, the day gets off to a real flyer as AN-12 ER-ACS and N362FS Focus Air B747-200 depart. It is just like old times, as if the two years that have passed were nothing more than a dream.
The first ramp is still the domain of Lufthansa with their MD-11s and the B747s of Air Atlanta and B747-400s of Singapore Airlines. New additions here are the B747-200s of Focus Airlines which operate Hong Kong-Sharjah-Paris, Martinair has recently added a B747-400F to their operation through Sharjah.
The near side of this apron can really only
be christened “Il-76” city as many as 8 of the type can be found here,
mainly totally anonymous whist others wear the fabulous colours of South
Airlines, Airlines 400,
Kosmas Air and Uzbekistan Airlines.
Click Airways is a new operator of the type.
The next ramp is that of Phoenix Airlines, now a major operator and leaser of the B737. Aerovista also works from here. The IL-18 seems to have suffered the most from the arrival of the B737, only one example being seen, a matt turquoise aircraft with no titles that departed whilst the team was still negotiating access through the security gate. A Domelavia AN-12 is undergoing some heavy maintenance whilst ST-APS Azza Airlines of Sudan IL-76 is also in for work.
Also on this ramp, construction has started on Air Arabia’s new hangar, where future maintenance of the A320 fleet will be undertaken.
Whilst here, that gorgeous old lady, 5X-JOE DC10-30F of DAS Air Cargo arrived subbing for the B707F of Sudan Airways on a round trip freight flight from and to Khartoum, quite a rarity these days to see a DC-10 still operating.
And then there is the top ramp. Whilst the
authors are regular visitors to
Registrations change on a regular basis, the current forte of popularity is EX- or ER- or EK!
The old EL-, S9-, UN- or even RA- have all vanished and been replaced. Nowhere in the world can one access such a cornucopia of these classic transports and certainly, not at such close quarters.
Titles such as Termavia TCS Star Aviation, Click
Airways, Jubba Air Cargo and British Gulf Avaition are as exotic as one can
imagine. Grixona is another new operator whilst one carries the faded titles of
“Kallat Elsaker Air” ST-AQQ AN-12 of Sudanese State Aviation seems to have
taken root here, but as usual there are mechanics working on it daily, so,
sooner or later it will take to the skies once more. The same can be said of
EX-037 and TN-AGK of what was Trans Air
Altogether some 26 of the beast populate this apron today and a portion of these aircraft fly daily services to Kabul, particularly British Gulf and Grixona, whose aircraft return to Sharjah between 14.00 hours and 16.00 hours daily.
So, new millennium new terminal, on with the new and off with the old; nowhere better determines the new image than what is now referred to as the “Graveyard”.
December sees the start of a massive clear out of redundant machines. Today sees the breaking up of the Air Atlanta B747-200 TF-ARR that had an unfortunate mishap on 7th November 2004.
The tail disappeared within hours and the fuselage was to go the same way the next morning! Next on the list was its sister ship that had a mishap early in 2005 when its undercarriage jammed. The third B747-200 here, possibly ex-British Airways, is destined for service with the Sharjah International Airport Fire Station and will take up station at the northern end of the airport. B707 9G-JET will be next, followed by long term intern EL-ALJ AN-12 of Santa Cruz Imperial which has sat here for nearly 5 years.
Curiously enough, further investigation in this area uncovered 5 Mil-8 helicopters. What a surprise to find the fleet of Ras Al Khaimah Police in situ.
Back on the maintenance ramp, special
mention must be made of 4L-RAS an AN-24 of Transaviaservice, in its superb
colour scheme. No prizes for guessing where it is based or was based! The
Central Airways AN-26 has not moved in 2 years and the Spirit of Africa B707
5Y-ARN, could be the next for an operation in the graveyard. The DC-8 and B707
seem to be the major casualties of an operation to improve on safety, but no
doubt ST-UAA DC-8 of United Arab Airlines, still visits. Whilst a frame can sit
on these ramps, it would seem, almost indefinitely, and there always seems to be
someone working on it, then the aircraft must have a destiny. ER-TPI, a TU-154,
has been here for 4 years and mechanics are on it every day. A prime example is
the pair of ex-Olympic Airlines D0228s, A6-ZYD and A6-ZYE of Dolphin Air
Services. Lacking titles, it is explained that whilst used on ad hoc charters -
the hirers do not want to charter aircraft with titles. Well there is no
surprise. Today is to be the end of their two year residence as A6-ZYE, complete
with extra fuel tank in the cabin, is to depart on a five hour non-stop delivery
flight to
Well that is the tour done; time to take up position at the Fire Station, a favourite with enthusiasts. Here an old friend, Mr. Keith Sandy, the chief Fire Officer makes the team most welcome. A new fire engine has been delivered and is the Fire Teams new pride and joy.
We are then advised that due to the passing away of a dignitary in the travel business, all meetings have been cancelled as a mark of respect. We fully respect this decision and in fact, find it very commendable.
Whilst
Air Arabia, Sharjahs very own, no frills airline seems to go from strength to
strength, other scheduled passenger services either seemed to have stopped or
have been rescheduled. With the exception of Kish Air Fokker 50s, Viking A330s
from
2006
proved to be a good year for
So
the time to leave had finally arrived. Two days of blissful weather and superb
aircraft had come to an end. The team is summoned to the Public Relations Office
in the “old” terminal where a red bag is presented to each incumbent. A
calendar, a desk diary, a key ring, pen and wallet, a silver display plaque and
a presentation pack containing seven different sands of the desert – all
superbly wrapped -are presented, a fantastic memory, of a fantastic two days.
The
authors would like to thank specifically Dr. Ghanew Al Hajri (Director General),
Sheik Khalid Bin Issam Al Qassimi (Manager: Marketing and Research), Sultan Al
Shamsi (Marketing Coordinator Marketing and Research), Nenet C. Tangcuango
(Marketing Coordinator) and Keith Sandys (Fire Chief). A special thanks to two
very special ladies - Mrs Kinder The Third who gleefully was rid of her husband
for five days over the festive period and Mrs. Lyndon Barth who agreed to house
the said interloper under her roof in Dubai for five nights.
And not forgetting Ian Allan Publishing for their support in this
project.
NB.
The million dollar
question - Whilst first impressions were that
