Istanbul Ataturk Oct 23-25th (More pics added)

[wiggy]

Just back from a three day mini-break in Istanbul. Principal reason for the trip was to bag some Iranian domestic airlines while they are still using older aircraft and before they possibly relocate to the new Istanbul airport which opens early next year. All shots taken from the balcony at the Fly-Inn Mall abeam the parallel runways. This must be one of the all-time great vantage points for aircraft photography, being an elevated view at the side of the runways in a relaxed hassle-free environment and with a good selection of aircraft to shoot. Well enough rambling from me and on with the pictures............

Firstly the Iranians...........

Iran Air Tours MD-82 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Iran Air Tours MD-82 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

ATA Airlines A320 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

ATA Airlines MD-82 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Zagros Airlines A321 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Mahan Air A310 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Qeshm Air A300B4-600 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Qeshm Air A300B4-600 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Some Iraqis

Iraqi Airways A330-200 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Iraqi Airways B737-800 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Iraqi Airways A320 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Some Libyans....

Afriqiyah Airways A320 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Libyan Airlines A330-200 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Libyan Airlines A330-200 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Middle-East/Stans

Somon Air B737-900 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Kuwait Airways A320 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Jazeera Airways A320 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Gulf Air A320 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

and finally cargo..........

ULS Airlines Cargo A310-300F by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Hong Kong Airlines Cargo A330-200F by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Hong Kong Airlines Cargo A330-200F by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

MNG Airlines Cargo A300C4-600R by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

MNG Airlines Cargo A330-200F by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Superb location which I would highly recommend to anyone contemplating a trip overseas.

All the best

Denis.

[andygolfer]

WOW! what a selection and what a vantage point - absolutely superb Denis, too hard to pick out a favourite from that lot. I would have been happy with any one of those.

I'm off to Heathrow shortly and I doubt I will see anything that comes anywhere near the quality of those.

thanks for posting and making me envious

Andy

[Bat 21]

Great selection all nicely captured

[PorkScratching]

Fabulous selection of aircraft, airlines and colour schemes. Particularly pleasing to see the MD-80s and A300s/A310s.

[GCIJem]

Brilliant posting, nice to see some different airlines.

[wiggy]

Thanks all for the kind comments. Have now got around to processing the rest of my pictures from the trip so here a few more highlights.....

A selection from the home town airline...............

Turkish Airlines Cargo A330-200F by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Turkish Airlines A330-200 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Turkish Airlines A330-300 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Turkish Airlines B777-300ER by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Turkish Airlines A321 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Turkish Airlines A321 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

and the rest of the visitors

Air Moldova ERJ-190LR by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Ukraine International ERJ-190LR by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Olympic Air DHC-8-400NG by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Azerbaijan Airlines B787-8 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Saudi Arabian Airways A330-300 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Ethiad Airways A321 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

Ethiad Airways A321 by Denis Noonan, on Flickr

That's the lot. Ciao Denis.

[keithnewsome]

WoW ! What a superb collection of some very rare colour schemes and aircraft ! Many thanks for posting them

Keith

[Paultojo]

Great sets

[james143611]

WOW!

Hard to believe some of those are taken recently!! Don't think in the past few years I've seen MD-82's, a few A300's and some A310's in one place within two days!

Love the Turk specials too, as Andy says really hard to pick a favorite, must admit I'd love to visit now!

I know of the spotting point but I assumed british spotters taking shots of planes might be difficult or end up getting arrested etc, they aren't twitchy about any spotters by the sounds of it then especially post terror attacks from last year?

[willp1975]

Amazing shots, looks like a great place to visit

[wiggy]

I know of the spotting point but I assumed british spotters taking shots of planes might be difficult or end up getting arrested etc, they aren't twitchy about any spotters by the sounds of it then especially post terror attacks from last year?

James, while I was there it was a very relaxed spot with a combination of local spotters (some of whom had cameras) and members of the public waving passengers off. There is a security check to access the shopping centre (all bags are scanned like at airport security) but no further measures once inside. As with any vantage point nowadays things can change following incidents but for now it remains an excellent and hassle free location. The other thing to bear in mind is that Ataturk Airport will close when the new Istanbul airport opens towards the back end of next year and so limited time remains to enjoy this spot.

All the best

Denis.

[Mike s]

SUperb set Dennis one of the best I've seen on this forum ,picture quality is excellent, many thanks for posting
mike

[AlanP]

Excellent shots Dennis nice to see something different