Hi all,

This small trip away was built around the first ever NATO Tiger Meet to be held in Greece and it was also to be my first visit to this country.

As I was flying from Heathrow later in the day, it made sense to go into the LHR office to get my work out of the way first. Noted from the office and boarding my stead towards Athens were the following. I flew on a new airline for me, in Sky Express Greece. Very pleasant flight with them on a fairly new Neo….

9M-MAB, Airbus A350 941, Malaysia Airlines (159)
9V-SKU, Airbus A380 841, Singapore Airlines (243)
9V-SNC, Boeing 777 312ER, Singapore Airlines (42242)
A6-BMB, Boeing 787 10, Etihad Airways (60756)
A6-EEW, Airbus A380 861, Emirates Airline (153)
A6-EFG, Boeing 777 F1H, Emirates Airline (35613)
A7-APG, Airbus A380 861, Qatar Airways (193)
A9C-FD, Boeing 787 9, Gulf Air (39983)
B-KPO, Boeing 777 367ER, Cathay Pacific Airways (36160)
C-FIVX, Boeing 777 333ER, Air Canada (42219)
C-FRSE, Boeing 787 9, Air Canada (37181)
C-FRTW, Boeing 787 9, Air Canada (37179)
C-FVLZ, Boeing 787 9, Air Canada (38358)
C-GURP, Boeing 787 9, WestJet (64975)
CS-TVK, Airbus A320 251NSL, TAP Air Portugal (10506)
D-ABGJ, Airbus A319 112, Eurowings (3415)
D-AGWE, Airbus A319 132, Eurowings (3128)
D-AIJB, Airbus A320 271NSL, Lufthansa (9493)
D-AING, Airbus A320 271NSL, Lufthansa (7588)
D-AINX, Airbus A320 271NSL, Lufthansa (9229)
EC-LUX, Airbus A330 302, Iberia (1405)
EC-NJY, Airbus A320 251NSL, Iberia (10135)
EC-NTA, Airbus A320 251NSL, Iberia (10696)
EC-NTI, Airbus A320 251NSL, Iberia (10706)
EI-CVC, Airbus A320 214, Aer Lingus (1443)
EI-LRE, Airbus A321 253NXSL, Aer Lingus (10245)
EI-SII, Airbus A320 251NSL, Scandinavian Airlines Connect (8566)
EI-SIJ, Airbus A320 251NSL, Scandinavian Airlines Connect (10752)
EI-SIL, Airbus A320 251NSL, Scandinavian Airlines Connect (10764)
ET-AWM, Airbus A350 941, Ethiopian Airlines (289)
F-HEPF, Airbus A320 214SL, Air France (5719)
G-JECY, Bombardier DHC-8 402, Flybe (4157)
G-LMTD, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Loganair (1237)
G-STBC, Boeing 777 36NER, British Airways (38287)
G-VEVE, Airbus A350 1041, Virgin Atlantic Airways (492)
G-VKSS, Airbus A330 343E, Virgin Atlantic Airways (1201)
G-VPOP, Airbus A350 1041, Virgin Atlantic Airways (298)
G-XLEE, Airbus A380 841, British Airways (148)
G-XWBC, Airbus A350 1041, British Airways (362)
G-XWBK, Airbus A350 1041, British Airways (495)
G-ZBKI, Boeing 787 9, British Airways (38625)
G-ZBLB, Boeing 787 10, British Airways (60638)
HB-JBD, Bombardier C Series 100, Swiss International Air Lines (50013)
HB-JCK, Bombardier C Series 300, Swiss International Air Lines (55027)
HS-TTC, Boeing 777 300ER, Thai Airways International (66586)
HZ-AK40, Boeing 777 300ER, Saudi Arabian Airlines (61598)
N677UA, Boeing 767 322ER/W, United Airlines (30029)
N723AN, Boeing 777 323ER, American Airlines (33125)
N729AN, Boeing 777 323ER, American Airlines (33127)
N829MH, Boeing 767 432ER, Delta Air Lines (29700)
N830AN, Boeing 787 9, American Airlines (40650)
N832AA, Boeing 787 9, American Airlines (40638)
N833MH, Boeing 767 432ER, Delta Air Lines (29706)
N843MH, Boeing 767 432ER, Delta Air Lines (29716)
N4022J, Airbus A321 271NXSL, JetBlue Airways (10303)
OE-LBO, Airbus A320 214, Austrian Airlines (776)
OE-LBP, Airbus A320 214, Austrian Airlines (797)
OO-TCQ, Airbus A320 214, Brussels Airlines (2114)
PH-BXB, Boeing 737NG 8K2/W, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (29132)
PH-EXU, Embraer EMB-175 STD, KLM cityhopper (17000708)
SP-LWB, Boeing 737NG 89P/W, LOT Polish Airlines (32800)
SX-NAA, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Aegean Airlines (9553)
SX-NIG, Airbus A320 251NSL, Sky Express Greece (9456)
TC-JJN, Boeing 777 3F2ER, Turkish Airlines (40795)
TC-LSO, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Turkish Airlines (9095)
YL-CSH, Bombardier C Series 300, Air Baltic (55016)
YR-MXB, Boeing 737MAX 8, Blue Air (43306)
YU-APK, Airbus A319 132, Air Serbia (2032)

On airways:
2-WOWS, Cirrus Jet Vision SF50 G2 (0262)
4K-SW888, Boeing 747 4R7F, Silk Way West Airlines (29730)
9H-VUQ, Boeing 737MAX 8 200, Malta Air/Ryanair (65885)
C-FBKD, Bombardier Challenger 605 (5861)
ET-ATJ, Boeing 787 8, Ethiopian Airlines (34492)
G-DRTJ, Boeing 737NG 86N/W, Jet2 (35647)
N835AN, Boeing 787 9, American Airlines (40655)
N3546, Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (5421)
PH-HZV, Boeing 737NG 8K2/W, Transavia (30650)

 

 

Athens/Eleftherios Venizelos

The following were seen on landing with the camera working hard as we taxied to the stand. It was the smaller regional stuff that I was after, so off to a good start already. Then it was off to get the hire car and do the three hour drive to Araxos……

5B-DCX, Airbus A319 114, Cyprus Airways (1091)
D-AEAG, Airbus A300 B4-622RF, DHL Air (621)
EC-NPB, Airbus A320 214, Volotea (3949)
F-GZHY, Boeing 737NG 8K2/W, Transavia France (41344)
OY-SRU, Boeing 767 36NERBDSF, Star Air (30107)
PH-HXD, Boeing 737NG 8K2/W, Transavia (61791)
SE-RLL, Boeing 737NG 83NBCF/W, West Atlantic (32612)
SX-BKY, Beech King Air C90B (LJ-1334)
SX-BMK, Cessna Citation Bravo (550-0907)
SX-DGA, Airbus A321 231, Aegean Airlines (3878)
SX-DNH, Airbus A321 231, Aegean Airlines (3546)
SX-EIT, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 500, Sky Express Greece (530)
SX-ELV, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1643)
SX-FIT, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1642)
SX-GNA, Airbus A320 251NSL, Sky Express Greece (9516)
SX-INT, Raytheon Aircraft Company King Air B200 (BB-1935)
SX-IOG, Airbus A320 251NSL, Sky Express Greece (10083)
SX-NTE, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1575)
SX-OAY, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 600, Olympic Air (1002)
SX-OBA, Bombardier DHC-8 402, Olympic Air (4267)
SX-OBG, Bombardier DHC-8 402 NG, Olympic Air (4321)
SX-OBM, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Olympic Air (1058)
SX-SEV, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 500, Sky Express Greece (699)
SX-SVT, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1657)
SX-TEM, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Sky Express Greece (1640)
SX-VSL, Airbus A320 214, (Sky Express Greece) (4625)

 

Friday 13th May 2022

Araxos

The day dawned brightly but fortunately some high level cloud had built up and this took the edge off the temperature during a long day on the Greek Air Force base Araxos. We were welcomed onto the base by the head of security and once on a bus, were then driven to a massive compound area, where we were free to watch the waves of fighters taking off and landing, during the day. We were also fairly close to the runway, so plenty of jet noise too! After two years of not doing anything like this, it was a great day out with a good mix of military action right in front of us.

My many pictures from the day can be seen at;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720299192297

Active/parked around the base during the NATO Tiger Meet Spotters Day:
FA-102, General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon, 31 Smaldeel, Belgian Air Component (6H-102)
FA-119, General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon, 31 Smaldeel, Belgian Air Component (6H-119)
FA-123, General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon, 31 Smaldeel, Belgian Air Component (6H-123)
FA-126, General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon, 31 Smaldeel, Belgian Air Component (6H-126)
FA-136, General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon, 31 Smaldeel, Belgian Air Component (6H-136)
3366, Mil Mi-35, 221.vrl, Czech Air Force (203366)
3371, Mil Mi-35, 221.vrl, Czech Air Force (203371)
309/30-HB, Dassault Rafale B, EC 03.030, French Air Force (309)
329/30-ID, Dassault Rafale B, EC 03.030, French Air Force (329)
104/30-HH, Dassault Rafale C, EC 03.030, French Air Force (unknown)
121/30-IZ, Dassault Rafale C, EC 03.030, French Air Force (unknown)
(122)/30-GA, Dassault Rafale C, EC 03.030, French Air Force (unknown)
135/30-GN, Dassault Rafale C, EC 03.030, French Air Force (unknown)
142/30-GU, Dassault Rafale C, EC 03.030, French Air Force (unknown)
2, Dassault Rafale M, 11F, French Navy (2)
6, Dassault Rafale M, 11F, French Navy (6)
10, Dassault Rafale M, 11F, French Navy (10)
35, Dassault Rafale M, 11F, French Navy (35)
44, Dassault Rafale M, 11F, French Navy (unknown)
3, Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, 4F, 166417, French Navy (FR-3)
30+95, Eurofighter EF.2000T, TLG 74, German Air Force (GT022)
31+25, Eurofighter EF.2000T, TLG 74, German Air Force (GT0028)
4414, Agusta-Bell AB.205A, 358 MED, Hellenic Air Force (4414)
001, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-1)
003, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-3)
004, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-4)
008, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-8)
011, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-11)
015, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-15)
016, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force ( WJ-16)
018, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-18)
020, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WJ-20)
021, General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WK-1)
022, General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force ( WK-2)
024, General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force ( WK-4)
026, General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon, 336 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WK-6)
029, General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (WK-9)
510, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 343 Mira.115 PM, Hellenic Air Force (XK-11)
538, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 340 Mira/115 PM, Hellenic Air Force (XK-39)
1045, General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 335 Mira/116 PM, Hellenic Air Force (TC-1)
01507, McDonnell F-4E (AUP) Phantom II, 338 MDV, Hellenic Air Force (4465)
01530, McDonnell F-4E (AUP) Phantom II, 338 MDV, Hellenic Air Force (4552)
MJ755/F-H, Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire LF.IXc, Hellenic Air Force (CBAF.IX.1285)
MM7272/36-11, Eurofighter EF.2000 (F-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (055/IS004)
MM7280-36-30, Eurofighter EF.2000 (F-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (107/IS012)
MM7322/36-40, Eurofighter EF.2000 (F-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (IS054)
MM7324/36-41, Eurofighter EF.2000 (F-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (IS056)
MM7347/36-53, Eurofighter EF.2000 (F-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (IS073)
MM7352/36-55, Eurofighter EF.2000 (F-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (IS078)
MM55094/36-60, Eurofighter EF.2000(T) (TF-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (015/IT003)
MM55128/36-64, Eurofighter EF.2000(T) (TF-2000A), 936° GEA/36° Stormo, Italian Air Force (066/IT007)
C.15-21/15-08, McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, Ala 15, Spanish Air Force (565/A472)
C.15-22/15-09, McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, Ala 15, Spanish Air Force (572/A479)
C.15-28/15-15, McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, Ala 15, Spanish Air Force (608/A514)
C.15-39/15-26, McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, Ala 15, Spanish Air Force (670/A544)
C.15-64/15-34 McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, Ala 15, Spanish Air Force (865/A586)
CE.15-09/15-77, McDonnell Douglas EF-18BM Hornet, Ala 12, Spanish Air Force (500/B086)
J-5002, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, Swiss Air Force (1315/SFC002)
J-5003, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, Swiss Air Force (1319/SFC003)
J-5005, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, Swiss Air Force (1327/SFC005)
J-5020, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, Swiss Air Force ( 1369/SFC020)
J-5024, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, Swiss Air Force (1373/SFC024)
T-786, Pilatus PC-24, LTDB, Swiss Air Force (121)
OO-FAE, Dassault Falcon 7X, 21 Smaldeel, Belgium Air Component (79)
D-ABKM, Boeing 737NG 86J/W, TUIfly (37755)

On display in the 335 Mira area:
(32708), Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (683D-6060)
(160550), Vought A-7E Corsair II, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (E-520) credit Phil Adkin

On display in the 336 Mira area:
(12307), Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (683D-6006)
37230/230, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (53-7230)
(159648), Vought A-7E Corsair II, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (E-457) credit Phil Adkin

On display within a memorial park:
(159926), Vought A-7H Corsair II, On Display, Hellenic Air Force (H-20)

On airways:54+24, Airbus A400M, LTG 62, German Air Force (084)
16-5852, Lockheed AC-130J Hercules, 4th SOS/1st SOW, United States Air Force (5852)
plus 17-5869 but I didn’t see it!
D-ATCF, Airbus A321 211SL, Condor Flugdienst (5843)
EC-LUL, Airbus A320 216SL, Iberia (5486)
SX-OBI, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 600, Olympic Air (1295)
T7-ME1, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Middle East Airlines (9427)

 

Aigio

The drive back towards Athens, took us near two wrecks & relics…….

On display by a road:
(7205), Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic (7205)

 

 

Moni Taxiatchon

On display within a memorial park:
6678/FG-678, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, On Display, Hellenic (6678)

Then it was off to find our digs near Athens/Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, which was to be our base for two nights. The only hotel actually at the airport is Sofitel Athens Airport and this seemed to be a tad on the expensive side.

We stayed at “Country Rooms near Athens”, which is Southeast of the airport. From here you can monitor both arrivals and departures, well away from the airport and any security concerns. A car is needed to get out here, although I think the host will come and get you from the airport for 20 Euros.
—
Best regards,

Grant Robinson
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfordaviationgroup
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums

Photograph credits: Grant Robinson