Mishap in Athens airport: Planes parked on taxiway "B" were moved and pushed due to strong winds

Last updated: 3/10/2009 19:45

A mishap occurred earlier today in Athens airport taxiway "B", where the Olympic Airlines fleet is parked. Due to the strong winds blowing in the area, two of the planes that were parked on taxiway "B" where blown away from their positions. The planes affected were Boeing 737 registered SX-BKF and ATR 72 registered SX-BIF. The Boeing was turned at least 45 degrees counterclockwise and moved into the grass. The ATR was turned almost 180 degrees counterclockwise but only the front landing gear was moved into the grass. It is very lucky that the planes didn't collide with any others next to them, since they are parked very close to each other. Currently there are 26 planes parked on the south part of taxiway "B". The position of the two planes can be seen on the last picture of this post.
The METARs of the time show winds up to 24 knots:
METAR LGAV 030950Z 20024KT 9999 SCT017 SCT080 BKN170 25/18 Q1010 NOSIG=
METAR LGAV 030920Z 20023KT 9999 FEW017 BKN025 BKN160 25/19 Q1010 NOSIG=
METAR LGAV 030850Z 20021KT 9999 FEW018 SCT030 BKN160 25/18 Q1010=
METAR LGAV 030820Z 18019KT 9999 SCT018 SCT030 BKN080 25/18 Q1010 NOSIG=
METAR LGAV 030750Z 18017KT 9999 SCT018TCU SCT030 BKN080 24/18 Q1010 NOSIG=
METAR LGAV 030650Z 22010G22KT 190V260 8000 -TSRA FEW017CB BKN025 BKN080 22/18 Q1011 RETSRA TEMPO TSRA=

Update 3/10/2009
Also the Boeing 747SRF of Elite Airlines registered SX-DCB was turned a little and had to be towed back to its normal position on "B".

Thanks to Panagiotis for the following photos.

Boeing 737 / SX-BKF / turned and moved into the grass next to taxiway "B" (photo 3/10/2009)


ATR 72 / SX-BIF / turned into the grass next to taxiway "B" (photo 3/10/2009)


Taxiway "B" of Athens with 26 planes parked on it. SX-BKF is the first plane of the picture and SX-BIF is the second ATR on the picture (6th plane from the start).

Elite Airlines Boeing 747 registered SX-DCB in Athens

Elite Airlines Boeing 747SR-81(F) registered SX-DCB arrived in ATH last night at 04:35L from Tehran, where it was making a fuel stop. It had departed earlier yesterday from CGK (Jakarta, Indonesia). It landed on runway 03R at 04:35L and parked on taxiway Z.


Boeing 747 / SX-DCB / parked on taxiway Z in ATH

Elite Airlines Boeing 747 registered SX-DCB coming to Athens

Last updated 6/6 09:50

Elite Airlines Boeing 747SR-81(F) registered SX-DCB is scheduled to arrive in ATH today at 15:00L from CGK (Jakarta, Indonesia) via THR (Tehran, Iran). It was in CGK for heavy maintenance with GMF-Aeroasia (see post) and was seen on Wednesday being towed from the GMF hangar to a ramp near Terminal 2.

Update 5/6 17:30
There was an indefinite delay on the arrival of the plane. It is yet unknown when exactly it will be arriving but it should happen in the coming days.

Update 6/6 09:50
It arrived late last night at 04:35L from THR, calling as SX-DCB. Photo available (see post)

Thanks to Arimi Raldi for the following picture.

Boeing 747 / SX-DCB / being towed from hangar to a ramp in CGK on 3/6/2009

Elite Airlines news

Elite Airlines first Boeing 747SR-81(F) registered SX-DCB is expected to arrive in Athens soon (possibly in the first half of May) from CGK (Jakarta, Indonesia) where it is currently undergoing heavy maintenance. Another two Boeing 747s (freighter versions) are expected to be added to the fleet in the future. The company will only operate charter cargo flights. No pax flights to be performed, as it's not in their business plan.

Elite Airlines 747 SX-DCB parked in Jakarta (Update)

Elite Airlines Boeing 747SR-81(F) registered SX-DCB is still parked in CGK (Jakarta, Indonesia) as the picture below shows. It was moved from it's parking position that was a few weeks ago and was brought forward, closer to the GMF hangar. This is where the 747 of Hellenic Imperial Airways (SX-TIC) used to be parked in the previous weeks. Probably the HIA 747 is in the GMF hangar for the C-Check. Does the movement of Elite Airlines' 747 mean that it's in the queue for the hangar for a check? We will find out shortly!
Thanks to Savvas for the photo

Boeing 747SR-81(F) / SX-DCB / Elite Airlines 747 brought forward, closer to the GMF hangar

Elite Airlines 747 SX-DCB & Hellenic Imperial Airways 747 SX-TIC parked in Jakarta

Elite Airlines Boeing 747SR-81(F) registered SX-DCB is confirmed to be parked in CGK (Jakarta, Indonesia) along with Hellenic Imperial Airways Boeing 747-200 registered SX-TIC. The pictures are not perfect due to obstacles but it's clear that these two airplanes were in Jakarta at least until 16/2/2009. The 747 of Hellenic Imperial Airways is currently undergoing a C-Check at GMF-Aeroasia's hangar in Jakarta Airport.
Thanks to Tsentsan for the photos

Boeing 747SR-81(F) / SX-DCB / Elite Airlines 747 parked in Jakarta


Boeing 747-200 / SX-TIC / Hellenic Imperial Airways 747 parked in Jakarta

EC-ICU & EC-IVU left ATH going to IKA

Both Elite Airlines (?) Airbus A320s that were in Athens the last few days departed all white, without any logos for IKA (Tehran - Imam Khomeini International Airport).
Specifically:
ex EC-ICU left on February 27th as VRZ1101 (registered EK-32303)
ex EC-ICV left on February 28th as VRZ1103 (registered EK-32312)

Airbus A320 / EK-32303 / departing ATH for IKA