Manchester has 4 hangars. The old Dan-Air 2nd World War one (that is used by Flybe). then the more modern Thomas Cook and Monarch maintanence facilities and finally the Air Livery paint shop that was the British Airways hangar.

Additionally there is of course the Ocean Sky Centre for executive jets.

Robini - TCX are operating VKI at the moment and it is in full Thomas Cook Scandinavia colours...

The 4th June from Manchester is definately an A330-200 although the B767-300 will be covering in the event of any tech problems...

The A330-300 operates twice a week out of Manchester to Calgary and Toronto on Friday and Saturday respectively...

It will also be operating out of Glasgow on Wednesdays.....to Calgary

Thanks Scottie Dog for that info.

Big boys will be coming into MAN!:}

Anybody know which airlines they have contracts with?

Go to the Air Livery website, and click on photo gallery. It will make the spotters happy, and provide interest for the rest of us.

Heres a link to a gallery on their website of some birds they have painted...

Air Livery Plc - Quality First in Aircraft Refinishing

Didn't their press release say that the reason they had opened at MAN would be to eliminate/reduce positioning flights for a/c to be painted?

That sounds to me like they aim to be painting aircraft that use MAN already, or those using UK airports at a push. You might not see as many big/exotic vistors as you imagine.

What about Seattle-Manchester-Middle/Far East/Africa?
Or Toulouse/Hamburg-Manchester-Middle/Far East/Africa?

Just read Shed-on-a-Pole's post #930. Thanks mate :ok: for the defence. I could fall in love with you :O . Who'd have thought it? :eek: :yuk:

I've never come across so much excitement over paint.....

For an airport which lost hundreds of jobs when FLS Aerospace pulled out, and then BA maintenance or whatever it was, watching paint dry takes on a new appeal!

Will the Glasgow Based A332 not operate this?
It is not scheaduled anything otherwise, it shcedule is

Thur-SFB
Fri-SFB via BFS
Sat-SFB
Sun- Down
Mon-Cun
Tues-Pop
Wed-Vancouver via Cagary

The A333 is operating Glasgow Calgary on Wednesdays....not the A332 which is operating directly to Vancouver

Thats the plan so far...

And I believe the A332 operates to DLM on Sundays...?

Thanks for all posts regarding the 4/6/09 TCX flight to SFB. Now if only I could get the jumpseat allocated! :ok:

On another note, any one know where the Crowne Plaza hotel is on the airport? Some say it's adjacent to T1, others to T2, just if anyone has had experience of said hotel before?

Cheers.

It used to be the Excelsior in days of yore. It's pretty much the same distance from T1 and T3, and nowhere near T2. Had some houseguests last weekend who stayed there the night before their flight home, and they spoke highly of it.

Stayed at the Crowne Plaza quite a few times. It is adjacent to the long term car park and facing terminal 1. Never had any complaints.

The last time I stayed at the Crown Plaza, it was behind T3 car park.

Can also recommend Premier Inn at Heald Green, who will arrange a mini bus (£6) to take you to the airport. Much cheaper than an "on airport" hotel.

Re the Premier inn at Heald Green, the railway is right next door its only one stop from the airport and costs less than £1.

Also dont forget the new travelodge at the cargo centre, book early enough and you might get one of their £29 deals.

Or if you really want some atmosphere try and get one of the rooms upstairs at the Airport Hotel Public house on the old ringway road, it overlooks the end of 23R, its very cheap but a bit noisy !!!!!!:ok:

Go to the Trip Advisor website. It may help you to guage how good the hotel is.

First customer for air livery hangar should be the raf with a vc10 and then an awacs.