I´am in Puerto Santiago, a small city in the south of La Gomera.
The map shows the airport some four kilometers away.
Rough terrain, valleys and hills, so where is the airport?.
Walking from the harbour to the city, a cab driver knows more.
Thousand curves up the hills and there it is and btw. it is a new one for me.
Tuesday, 25.05.2010
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Service Binter NT 8652 operated by
NAYSA Navegacion y Servicios Aereos Canarios
Scheduled: 17.50 // 18.20
The entrance to the airport area with the runway threshold
The runway high above sea level
This is the hotel, sorry, the airport terminal
Inside, nice canarian wodden architecture
The main hall
A good chance to catch the right flight with my service only on the screen.
GMZ is a small airport with scheduled flights mainly to TFN and a small number of legs to LPA.
Strange to know that the runway was built in 1995 after a long search for a realistic place
and the terminal building was only completed four years later in 1999.
Also no competition here, Binter-Naysa is the only operator.
The check-in counter with a good looking spanish girl is open from around one hour prior to departure. Fare is some 50.-- Euros.
No need to hurry, it´s the only flight at all on the screen and it´s free seating.
Signs show me that the airport closes and locks it´s door at 6.30 pm every day.
The agent ask twice for my final destination today, it seems not that much pax with connecting flights here.
Binter-Naysa backtracking on the runway after arrival from TFN.
Note the small Binter tractor.
Turning to the apron
Only a short way to taxi
Coming closer
Pretty close
Parked
The plane is still there, pretty early inbound from TFN.
Security is not open till 30 minutes prior to departure.
They want the low number of pax as long as possible in the main hall to consume something like me. Espresso tastes not bad here.
Boarding is on the screen and security opens, directly from the check onto the apron to board the plane via Gate 1.
It is EC-KGI, an ATR72-500, since 22.06.2007 with Naysa on Binter services.
It´s name is "Bentayga".
Another one of the 12 machines in the fleet.
Leg no. 14 for me on type and a new registration.
Load is some 40%, no problem to join the window seat, last row right hand side, aisle free.
Two nice females here again in service.
The cabin also fitted with the red leather seats, slightly dirty, well used and better legroom than on the other Naysa plane.
The pilot from spain with a very short welcome during taxi in spanish only, also the announcements in spanish only.
Departure from the 1500 meters runway 09 at 5.50 pm, good ontime with sunny 24 degrees.
Bye-Bye La Gomera
The airport building surrounded by hills
Backtracking
And departure
Above the threshold with the "Benchi-Express" returning from Valle Gran Rey
The "Benchi-Express" approaching Puerto Santiago with the plane above the harbour
Service is a chocolate bar, water and sweets
This is TFS from above
Approaching Santa Cruz de Tenerife
A big cruiser in the harbour
Just arrived at TFN on the 3394 meters runway 30 at 06.15 pm with light clouds
and freshly 14 degrees. 5 minutes prior to schedule.
Parking on the apron far from the terminal, that means a bus ride ahead.
Bye-Bye EC-KGI, looking for one more new Naysa plane now, or not?.
Ground service
Tuesday, 25.05.2010
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Service Binter NT 8186 operated by
NAYSA Navegacion y Servicios Aereos Canarios
Scheduled: 19.00 // 19.30
Two entrance doors to the terminal here, baggage right hand side, connections left hand side,
no extra security check.
The fare again some 50.-- Euro´s.
Some twenty minutes till boarding for the next flight, checking the action out there.
TFN sees mainly domestic traffic with all spanish airlines but also flights to Miami and Caracas.
A steadily stream of Binter planes coming and going
Islas competition also parked on the apron
Santa Barbara to Caracas with close to 24 hours delay,
an all white TF registered 767-300 is waiting on the apron.
My flight shows Gate 4A
IB inbound from MAD with the classic A340-300
With all that Binter planes coming and going it should be a good chance to catch something new.
But no, these parking spot and also this registration sounds well known.
The same crew, deja vu, the nice female FA recognizes me.
The second leg now on EC-KGI, in total leg no. 15 for me on the AT72.
The active runway is now changed for the 12.
The pilot with a very short welcome during taxi, it seems that is his personal style.
Departure perfect ontime at 07.00 pm with 14 degrees and light clouds, flight time 30 minutes.
The load close to 100% this time with me in the window seat last row left hand side and also the aisle is occupied.
Service is water, chocolate bar and sweets.
The city of Santa Cruz again
Some mountains close to Las Palmas
Arrival on the 3100 meters runway 03R at 7.25 pm, 5 minutes ahead to schedule.
Gran Canaria is sunny with 24 degrees.
Apron parking at LPA
And a final goodbye to EC-KGI
By taxi to the hotel, pretty well ontime for dinner.
Wednesday, 26.05.2010
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Service UX 9018 operated by Air Europa
Scheduled: 07.10 // 10.45
Another early wake up this day.
It is 05.00 am when I leave the hotel by taxi for the airport.
Some 20 minutes later I´am at LPA.
Several counters open for AirEuropa scheduled flights.
A good thing to separate the charters from the scheduled ones.
No time to wait, a friendly german speaking agent doing the check-in.
My usual question for the last row window produces 31 A, we will see.
The fare is really good with some 40.-- Euro´s.
This is the early morning board, UX to MAD seems ontime
There is an open smokers terrace at the main building reachable from the secured area,
some five minutes at security and I´am in there.
EC-JHL wait´s at gate A23
No sign of a delay visible
Early boarding with an immediate long queue and me as the last pax to step in the plane.
It is in service with UX since 06.07.2005 and it´s a new registration for me.
Leg no. 47 on type. UX operates actual 26 737-800.
The Globalia Holding owns Air Europa together with hotels and tour operators.
One female and three male FA´s here on UX, all together nice.
The cabin fitted with dark grey leather seats, well used, low legroom, clean so far.
Load is some 90% and 31 is indeed the last row, three seats for me here.
A view to the safety card
And the Europa magazine
On the way to the runway
Departure is from the 3100 meters runway 03L at 07.25 am local, this is 08.25 am in central Europe.
Light clouds here and 14 degrees.
Lift off with an terminal view for the duration of 2 hours 05 minutes.
Absolutely no comment along the whole flight from the pilots.
Buy-on-board here at UX.
Clouds on the way to mainland Europe
Better close to the coastline
That looks like near Faro/Portugal
Minas Rio Tinto the deepest hole in mainland Europe
The lead FA is on the interkom with a good number of gates for the connecting passengers.
Touchdown ontime at 10.45 am on the 4350 meters runway 18R.
The temperature is 18 degrees and light clouds only.
Welcome to MAD.
A long taxi for the gate position at the old terminal.
A Spanair MD still in service
My plane at the gate
Full view
Not that long to wait for my bag and out in the public.
Wednesday, 26.05.2010
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Service JK 117 operated by Spanair
Scheduled: 13.50 // 16.35
MAD is not the well signed place, a couple of detours and a long way to walk for the next check- in.
Spanair operates check-in kiosks which also print the bag tag.
The last row again for me, 28F, we will see if its really the last.
No time to wait at the counters to leave my bag, the female agent is nice and on the way to the security check.
Some five minutes here and finally in the gate area again.
The fare is pretty good, some 40.-- Euros, but don´t get me wrong, it´s only bookable as a return flight. The open segment is in October, looking for something interesting around.
This is my gate to FRA D53
Continental B752 US bound
My inbound plane from above
Ready to go back for LPA
Push back
On the apron
Done a nice chat with an american girl just arrived from DFW on the way to AMS.
Always good to shorten the time on the airports.
TAM arrived from Brazil
No remarks for my flight
Turkish bound for IST
A nice jumbo from Argentina
This is Spanair on the apron
My favourite shot under the wing
EC-IYG is an Airbus A320, in service with Spanair since 21.05.2004, a new registration for me
and leg no. 57 on type.
19 examples in the fleet right now. Spanair is owned by private, mainly catalonian investors.
Boarding now
And me again as the last pax
Swiftair beside us
Another view to that MD
The captain informed us detailed about a slot delay for our route to FRA during boarding
and some minutes to wait. Departure is finally 35 minutes late at 2.25 pm from the 3500 meters runway 15L.
It is superb sunny with 26 degrees. The duration will be 2.00 hours.
Two female, two male FA´s on that service, ok, but nothing special here.
That´s the Spanair safety card
And the Spanorama magazin
Service is buy-on-board.
Cabin view
Dark blue fabric seats, clean, but very low legroom, the worst around these trip.
My seat, indeed the last row and also here, three for me.
The load is some 80 %.
TLS
GVA
Reaching Germany
Where is this, seems somewhat well known?.
It is STR
Well, a thunderstorm above FRA, forced us for some holding circles
Touchdown finally on the 4000 meters runway 25L at 05.10 pm, 35 minutes late, with 14 degrees and heavy rain.
Welcome back to Germany.
The rainy apron
And finally the rain stops during disembarking.
By bus to the terminal.
Baggage is slow, not unusual here at FRA.
With the shuttle back to Tourcare, more time needed on the motorway than expected with the thunderstorms heading south and back home at around 9 pm.
That means exactly six hours and thirty minutes till the wakeup call for the next flight early tomorrow morning.
The story is on finals, titled:
"Gdansk and the LOT EMB 175".
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 1, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 14627 times:
Hi Markus,
interesting second part of your latest series with some nice shots. Always nice to see reports about the Canary Islands. Bad to hear JK doesn't serve anything free of charge any more on international flights. So the service has become as bad as on IB. No thanks!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): Dark blue fabric seats, clean, but very low legroom, the worst around these trip.
Yes, legroom was horrible on sister ship EC-ILH some years ago. It was one of the most uncomfortable flights ever. Shame on Spanair.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6088 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 14223 times:
Hi Markus!
Very nice report with great pictures ! Flights on UX and JK doesn't seem to impressive.....NT seems better altough it's a smaller plane, which is a bit strange. Terminal at Gomera looks nice!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 4, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 14195 times:
Hey, good to see some comments.
@PH:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): interesting second part of your latest series with some nice shots. Always nice to see reports about the Canary Islands.
Thank you.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Bad to hear JK doesn't serve anything free of charge any more on international flights. So the service has become as bad as on IB
All the same down there.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1): Yes, legroom was horrible on sister ship EC-ILH some years ago.
I remember you´re story.
@Christian:
Quoting ChrisCruise (Reply 2): Great report again! Great coverage of the Canary Islands and their local airlines!
Thank you.
Quoting ChrisCruise (Reply 2): I always thought that UX was the champion of the low legroom but it seems JK also applies high density seating!
lychemsa From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 905 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 14029 times:
Did you like Gomera?. I always wanted to go there.
rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1136 posts, RR: 19 Reply 6, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 14019 times:
Hola Markus!
Obviously another interesting second part to the Canaries journey.
La Gomera is a rather remote place to me, I have never been there but looking forward to go, I recommend El Hierro as well, which is the most remote of the seven fortune islands, aka as the Canaries.
BTW, La gomera has a distinctive feature that you probably missed during your stay the 'Silbo gomero', that is, the Gomera whistle; a unique and distinctive way of communication. Recently officially recognised by the UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage and taught in schools on the island, it is really neat:
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 13888 times:
Hi Markus,
It was nice to read the second part of your report as well - thanks for writing this story. The airport of la Gomera looks nice - I somehow like these small airports.
Quoting rogerbcn (Reply 6): JK has still many MDs in service,
Some of them also on my schedule later in the year.
@Christoph:
Quoting Contact Air (Reply 7): It was nice to read the second part of your report as well - thanks for writing this story. The airport of la Gomera looks nice - I somehow like these small airports.
reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1135 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 13748 times:
Hi Markus,
thanks for sharing the second part of your trip. Air Europa looks not that bad. I know everyone seems to be complaining about them, but actually I book a lot of flights for our spanish sales agents on them, and they never complained, they're on time and they're usually very cheap compared to IB/JK or even Vueling.
A little disappointed by JK... I do understand they have a solid operation, but I expected them to have more legroom, better seats and free food and drinks. I guess they changed this last point not so long ago, right? Do I understand that you even have to pay for drinks?
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): The fare is pretty good, some 40.-- Euros, but don´t get me wrong, it´s only bookable as a return flight. The open segment is in October, looking for something interesting around.
Good idea of arranging something like this. I think I might consider such option for my future travel.
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your next installment.
Hi, nice trip report- but are you sure? Is this new?
According to JKK's web-page and in line with *Alliance standards (of LH, OS and LX) JKK is offering FREE meals and drinks: "On our flights to and from Germany, Austria and Switzerland you will receive a variaty of free cold and warm drinks as well as a snack. The ... on board menu is available on all domestic and Scandinavian flights."
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 14, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 12713 times:
Hi Markus,
Very interesting and entertaining report. You really had quite a nice mix of airlines for your return journey. Your report covered most of the same routes I had during my last two trips to Spain, so I had a strong feeling of deja-vu, especially with flying on the same UX Boeing as well...
Great shot, covers pretty much the whole area I walked through while there in April. Looks like they've filled the pools next to the auditorium - they were still empty back then.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 15, posted (2 years 11 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 12684 times:
Hey, good to see more comments.
@Reifel:
Quoting reifel (Reply 9): thanks for sharing the second part of your trip.
Thank you.
Quoting reifel (Reply 9): Air Europa looks not that bad. I know everyone seems to be complaining about them, but actually I book a lot of flights for our spanish sales agents on them, and they never complained, they're on time and they're usually very cheap compared to IB/JK or even Vueling.
No complaints here with UX till now and indeed real good fares with that company.
Quoting reifel (Reply 9): A little disappointed by JK... I do understand they have a solid operation, but I expected them to have more legroom, better seats and free food and drinks. I guess they changed this last point not so long ago, right? Do I understand that you even have to pay for drinks?
It seems that changed not that long ago, nothing for free at all.
@Suryo:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 10): Nice continuation of your Canary island hopping trip. Great review with lots of beautiful pictures and I like your mini TFN airport map as well.
Thank you.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 10): Impressive! How cosy and appealing a terminal can be.
Also my opinion.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 10): Good idea of arranging something like this. I think I might consider such option for my future travel.
According to JKK's web-page and in line with *Alliance standards (of LH, OS and LX) JKK is offering FREE meals and drinks:
Good point, but it was typical loco-style-service, no picture from the menu card, but definitely nothing for free on my flight.
@Tim:
Quoting vandenheuvel (Reply 12): I'm glad to read the continueation of your Canaries trip. It looks like you've had a nice time. Binter is a great carrier.
Thank you, Binter is indeed ok, nice staff there.
@Phil:
Quoting oa260 (Reply 13): Hi Markus another nice report from you . The AR B747 looks nice , would love to get on that . Spanorama magazine a cousin of Scanorama (SK)
Thank you, the AR 747 was indeed a nice surprise.
@P.:
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Very interesting and entertaining report. You really had quite a nice mix of airlines for your return journey. Your report covered most of the same routes I had during my last two trips to Spain, so I had a strong feeling of deja-vu, especially with flying on the same UX Boeing as well...
Thank you and me, too, when I´ve followed you´re story around the islands, especially that UX machine.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Very pretty, reminds me of some of the pictures I've seen of CGK and DPS, although of course a whole different architectural and cultural style...
Good point, looks something exotic.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Great shot, covers pretty much the whole area I walked through while there in April. Looks like they've filled the pools next to the auditorium - they were still empty back then.
Thanx again, never been to the city myself.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Sounds nice - I was in Gdansk/Danzig back in 2005 - a very interesting and beautiful city! Flew with LO 170s though.
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 16, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 12412 times:
Hi, Markus
Well done, nice routing, making it a good trip. Binter is good as always. Really like this airline. But next time I will try to give Islas the try-out. I like the blue/orange colours.
UX is standard low-cost. Not really bad. No comments usually. Experienced them once, and was ok. JK is fine also, but indeed, their A320/321's have low legroom. MD80s and B717 much better as far as I experienced. We'll see in a few months again, when I give them another go.
You overfly GVA? I think it's not GVA to be honest, in that image. I tried to find another option, but couldn't find a good idea which airport it would be. Will think further.
Now I'm off... 7 hours and I should be in the air again...
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 17, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 12343 times:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 16): You overfly GVA? I think it's not GVA to be honest, in that image. I tried to find another option, but couldn't find a good idea which airport it would be. Will think further.
Good spot Eric! Even though I'm usually very good at this sort of stuff didn't realize the mistake when I read through this report. It is actually Chambéry Airport (CMF), somewhat south of GVA.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 19, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 12044 times:
Hey, back from sunny Denmark and ready for some comments.
@Eric.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 16): Well done, nice routing, making it a good trip. Binter is good as always. Really like this airline. But next time I will try to give Islas the try-out. I like the blue/orange colours.
Thank you and a good idea to bring in some more colours the next time.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 16): UX is standard low-cost. Not really bad. No comments usually. Experienced them once, and was ok. JK is fine also, but indeed, their A320/321's have low legroom. MD80s and B717 much better as far as I experienced. We'll see in a few months again, when I give them another go.
Good point, something more to compare.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 16): You overfly GVA? I think it's not GVA to be honest, in that image. I tried to find another option, but couldn't find a good idea which airport it would be. Will think further.
P. helped as finally out.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 16): Now I'm off... 7 hours and I should be in the air again...
Me, too!.
@P.:
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 17): Good spot Eric! Even though I'm usually very good at this sort of stuff didn't realize the mistake when I read through this report. It is actually Chambéry Airport (CMF), somewhat south of GVA.
Thanx again, well done.
@Jonas:
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 18): Hey Markus, a nice and interesting report!
The seats on Air Europa looked very comfortable indeed, pics were also good!
Thank you and hope to read something from Morocco soon.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1245 posts, RR: 34 Reply 20, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 11741 times:
Hi Markus,
Nice to read the second part of your holiday report.
I really like the design of the airport at La Gomera. So very refreshing and different to many terminal buildings you see. You have some great photos of the short hops between the islands - I particularly like the one of Santa Cruz.
See you spotted an interesting mix of machine sat MAD, always a good way to pass the time.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Thread starter): That means exactly six hours and thirty minutes till the wakeup call for the next flight early tomorrow morning
Bet you cursed the alarm the next morning!
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 21, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 11699 times:
Hey, Hannah,
really nice to read you´re reply.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): Nice to read the second part of your holiday report.
Thank you.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): I really like the design of the airport at La Gomera. So very refreshing and different to many terminal buildings you see. You have some great photos of the short hops between the islands - I particularly like the one of Santa Cruz.
Me, too, its such a special place, not the usual airport design there.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): See you spotted an interesting mix of machine sat MAD, always a good way to pass the time.
A 100% agreement.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 20): Bet you cursed the alarm the next morning!
pawsleykat From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 1978 posts, RR: 14 Reply 23, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 11587 times:
Hey Markus,
You do have an amazing collection of trip reports and this was just incredible. Gomera is somewhere I would love to visit, I read about it once in an Aer Lingus magazine whilst flying LGW-DUB some months ago. The terminal there does look very quaint and aesthetically pleasing.
Fantastic set of photos to go along with it.
Keep up the good work!
JG
First Class passengers are my favourites. They can't get any further forward without an ATPL.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 24, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11519 times:
Hey, good to see more comments.
@Nicholas:
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 22): Another interesting read. Thanks for sharing! It's so nice to get a feel for these regional European airports and airlines.
Thank you and I will show you more soon.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 22): I've read so many trip reports in a row it has me feeling like I've just been on a massive trip! Hopefully I can start on my next TR soon.
I like to read you´re stories, you know, so looking for something new.
@Jordan:
Quoting pawsleykat (Reply 23): You do have an amazing collection of trip reports and this was just incredible.
Thank you, warm welcomed.
Quoting pawsleykat (Reply 23): Gomera is somewhere I would love to visit, I read about it once in an Aer Lingus magazine whilst flying LGW-DUB some months ago. The terminal there does look very quaint and aesthetically pleasing.
Definitely, Gomera is such a special place here in Europe.
Quoting pawsleykat (Reply 23): Fantastic set of photos to go along with it.
Keep up the good work!
Thanx again and if there is an EZY flight in the look I will go for a closer look to the cabin crew.
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