Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.
Does anyone have any information on any aircraft planned to operate for the UEFA Final being held in Manchester next month. I would imagine it will not be as busy as the Champions League Final in 2003 (I think it was) but sure to be a busy day.
Also should Manchester United overcome Barcelona in the Champions League another busy day will be in prospect on the 21st May with the mass migration to Moscow.
What if Liverpool make the final aswell as United... Surely Manchester would take some of the Liverpool flights aswell with Liverpool only being small.
1station,
I think everybody will know more come the start of May when the teams for the final are decided.
If LFC and MUFC reach the final, they'll try to segregate the fans as much as possible for obvious reasons.
However, LPL does have space restrictions on larger aircraft.
In the past, the UK has had nowhere near enough spare aircraft to cover large groups of UK fans travelling abroad (LFC in Istanbul) so European charter aircraft are regularly used as well.
I'm sure a lot of aircraft have been booked already, as there is a guaranteed requirement from the UK - either from London or Liverpool at the very least.
A lot of fans will travel on scheduled flights as well - Moscow is fairly well served through a variety of European hubs.
The main problem for travelling fans could be trying to get a Visa issued in time.
If the 'Gers repeat previos matches and win the 2nd leg after the 0 - 0 first leg at home then the M74 and M6 motorways may have vehicle capacity problems with MAN not having too many aeroplanes.
I'm sure a lot of aircraft have been booked already
Well, all the hotels have! Try checking the hotel websites, and then, if you can, the prices. With Moscow being the world's most expensive city, this will probably be the most expensive Champions League final in history - for the fans that is! I wonder if anyone will charter from Russian operators?
Working at EGCC/MAN but have no firm info as of yet.
However, a friend of mine has enquired through two sources, one official and one un-official and has been told that any fans wishing to take a "One Day Trip" to Moscow will not be flying from Manchester but instead from regional airports. As I say this is not confirmed but could be possible due to the times that most "Sameday" flights would need to depart and arrive.
With time differences/transfers etc.. I would imagine most flights would have to leave Manchester before 9am on the Wednesday to ensure that fans were there in time. Especially with any potential red-tape in Russia. Also most flights coming back would be arriving probably from 6.30am onward on the Thursday. Both these times would be at "Rush hour" time at MAN.
If this is the case then its a good job Liverpool didn't get there as that would rule out using Liverpool for United flights!
Only a rumour but there may be some weight in it??!!??!!
The big problem is going to be airport slots, just think of the number of a/c that will be used over the 3 or 4 days. MAN, LTN, STN & LGW are all slot controlled and unless you are departing or arriving in the off peak times during the day or at night you have not got a cat in hells chance. Where are the A380s when you need them?:
The first team through to the final in Manchester after tonight's semi-finals is Zenit St Petersburg. They knocked out Bayern Munich (who unfortunately had a considerably larger fan-base), so not so good in my opinion.
