MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT [MXP] – 19 June 2022
The alarm is set for 02:30 but this time the destination is not very far.
Very fast shower (cold….to wake up a bit) and load the backpack onto the Spotter Mobile: destination Milan Malpensa Intercontinental Airport.
Arrival at the Case Nuove Holiday Inn at 03:40 and, after parking, I head to the shuttle stop that should go to 04:00. I recognize the spotters near the shelter: unmistakable with photo backpacks. Someone is already wearing the high visibility bib.
This time AirClipper has done it big: airside entrance at dawn to photograph the planes with the warmest light and try something new.
I head to the meeting point and, after appeal and distribution of passes, we head to the controls. This time we go through the crew gate and we have to give way to several pilots and flight attendants who have to get to the aircraft to start work: we'll see you later.
The resume point as soon as you enter is an absolute novelty: the fire brigade building in front of the Terminal 2. You have to know that at night time, to limit noise on the more densely populated areas of the moor, runway 17R is used for take-offs and therefore the position is ideal for photographing alignments and take-offs.
We arrive in the square as the sun rises from the Lecco mountains, behind a '777 Cargo. The first plane in the morning is an Uzbek 767 cargo, followed by Ryanair's '737 and '320, Neos e Easy Jet. The '737-800 of Aeroitalia bound for Heraklion is also shown.
All 06:30 the regular order of things is re-established and take-offs begin to take place from the classic 35R: it's time to move to the de-icing point that today, as the planes fly over the junction H (the so-called "handle"), it is a privileged point, since all the planes taking off will pass by us in favor of the sun.
Many pilots greet us while the planes pass by our side: in Italy it is not really common to see spotters at work airside.
The estimated time for the exit is expected in the late morning and arrives quickly, just in time to avoid the scorching sun.
The initiative was appreciated. Definitely some mechanism to oil a little, but the idea behind it is great. I will certainly participate in future similar initiatives.
Thank you Clipper - Italian Association of Friends of Aviation for the commitment in the organization and management of the event.
Photos and text: AviaSpotter.it
Enjoy photos:
