Caribbean Dreams
Jan Koppen
In the winter of 2022, my girlfriend and I traveled to Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago. The routing was AMS/BGI/POS/TAB/POS/AMS. We traveled AMS/BGI by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Airbus 330-300. The BGI/POS stretch was a Caribbean Airlines ATR-72. During our stay in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, I took the opportunity to spend some time at respective airports to spot and photograph aviation activity.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Airbus 330-300, tail PH-AKB, disembarking pax at Grantly Adams, Barbados airport.
A hulking Boeing 767 can be seen emerging from the clouds over the Barbados coast road.
AmeriJet Boeing 767-200F N743AX is seen here operating flight M6/856 from Sint Maarten.
Flying cargo for AmeriJet, this was initially a pax carrier for Delta Airlines.
Virgen Atlantic flight VS187 from London Heatrow, is seen here on short final.
'Lady Stardust' over the piano-keys.
Landing at B’town runway 09.
Virgen Atlantic ‘Lady Stardust’ is seen here, one second from smoking some rubber, while touching down on runway 09 at Grantley Adams, Barbados (BGI), in March 2022.
InterCaribbean, flight JYI0759, from Point Salines approaches runways 09.
Seconds before touch.
InterCaribbean Embraer-120 VQ-TPG is seen here just about to touch-down at Grantley Adams.
The date is March 04, 2022. American Airlines Boeing 737-800 inbound on short final from Charlotte, North Carolina.
N818NN was operating flight AA612. A 3:56 hours flight from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The lump on top of 737 is a SATCOM (Satellite COMmunication) antenna. It has several purposes, one of them is internet connection for the passengers.
Bequia Air Beech 200 Super King Air 8P-BQA on short final.
Flaps are fully deployed for landing.
I got one hour to do some spotting!
Private Gulfstream G-550 N87WD, lining up on runway 09 for departure to West Palm Beach, Florida.
An old school Freight Dog is seen here arriving in B’Town, Barbados.
Ameriflight Swearingen Metro SA-227AT N248DH flight A8/8106 from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The Metroliner was not especially affectionate nick-named ‘The San Antonio Sewer Pipe’.
AmeriFlight Swearingen Metro N248DH on flare to runway 09.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Air (SVG Air) DHC-6 J8-CRU is jumping the fence!
Flight AC966 from Toronto approaches runway 09.
Air Canada Boeing 787-800 C-GHPX, is seen here arriving at Barbados, Grantley Adams, on a bloody hot day in March 2022.
From around 2004 to 2016, the Air Canada planes were painted in a light turquoise fuselage color. With this look, the graphic maple leaf on the tail would stand out more easily.
I love how Dreamliners float before touch down.
InterCaribbean Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia VQ-TCP early afternoon arrival at Grantly Adams, on March 04, 2022.
Checking-in for flight BWA2114 to Port-of-Spain, with an intermediate stop at Douglas Charles airport on the island Dominica.
Using the stairs enhanced the experience of getting on an airplane - you see the jet, hear the ambient sounds, smell the Jet A and feel like you are part of the process instead of filing through a sterile tube from a room into a cabin.
Air Canada '807', is operating the five and half hour flight back to Toronto. March 05, 2022.
In the turquoise livery, the company, 'beefed up' its fuselage wordmark, making the words 'Air Canada,' as well as the roundel, larger and thicker. The aircraft's engines would take the same color as the fuselage.
Virgen Atlantic Airbus 330-300, G-VGEM, is seen here on a sweltering Grantley Adams tarmac, being prepared for her half an hour flight to nearby Scarborough, Tobago.
Zorro-masked Air Canada Boeing 737-800, C-FSIL, taxies to her stand.
While it's not exactly a full 'retro livery,' Air Canada's current branding is a bit of a throwback to its 1990s look. The airline has gone back to white, red, and black with a few modern touches.
American Airlines ship '3HS’ arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina, as AA612.
Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600 9Y-TTA on a broiling, hot Grantley Adams tarmac in March 2022.
InterCaribbean workhorses, the Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia. One will be heading to St. Lucia and other Antigua.
The starboard wing-tip of ‘Charlie Pappa’ comes under scrutiny during a turnaround check.
'Cindy P' is being prepared for her half an hour flight to Castries, St. Lucia.
Grenadine Air Alliance DHC-6 Twin-Otter J8-GAW is seen here at Grantly Adams awaiting its passengers before the flight back to Union Island.
SVG Air ‘J8-CRU’ is seen here lounging in the sunshine at Grantley Adams, waiting for another flight.
A ground power unit pumps energy into a stationary Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600, as it sits on the ramp at Grantly Adam, Barbados.
Gulfstream N1777U sitting pretty in front of the M-Jet hangar.
Another quick turnaround for G-STBM as it disembarks passengers from the UK.
Another very efficient turn-round for this American Airlines Boeing.
French hardware on a sweltering Grantley Adams tarmac in March 2022.
American '2478' to Charlotte, NC.
Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600, 9Y-TTB, did operate our flight, BWA2114.
'Our' ATR-72 with her cavernous cargo door open to swallow another load of suitcases.
The six-bladed propellers are powered by two PW127M engines.
Here, Caribbean Airlines ATR-72 9Y-TTB is caught between flights on a sticky day at Grantly Adams in March 2022.
“Boarding time!”
The Port-of-Spain based ATR’s are hardworking aeroplanes.
That’s some wild paint job!
The ATR 72–600 features several improvements. It is powered by the new PW127M engines, which enable a 5% increase in takeoff power via a "boost function" used only when called for by takeoff conditions.
Landfall at Dominica.
The Northeast coast of Dominica.
Steep approach to Douglas – Charles Airport.
In the background, a Silver Airways Saab 340B just arrived before of us from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The flight-deck features five wide LCD screens.
Leeward Island Air Transport (LIAT) ATR-42-500 V2-LIG, arrived from Antigua.
Half-an-hour later she departed as LI354.
'9Y-TTB' resting under a gorgeous sunset in Dominica.
Beautiful Trinidad.
Piarco International Airport is located 30 km east of Downtown Port of Spain, adjacent to the town of Piarco.
Piarco International Airport has direct scheduled service to destinations in the United States, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe. It is also a significant transit hub for the Southern Caribbean and serves as the primary connection point for many passengers travelling from Guyana.
The airport is also the primary hub and operating base for the country's national airline, as well as the Caribbean's largest airline, Caribbean Airlines.
Brand new Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800/MAX 9Y-BAR was delivered to the company on February 02, 2022.
Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800 9Y-KIN was delivered new to British West Indies in November 2000.
The stunningly painted Caribbean Airlines fleet in front of the company’s hangar.
Boeing 737-800 9Y-TAB undergoing maintenance in the company hangar on the north side of Piarco Airport during March 2022.
Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800’s sporting their decorative ‘hummingbird’ livery.
Friday routine maint' at Piaco.
ATR-72-600 9Y-TTD receives attention inside the Caribbean Airlines hangar.
It had been clouded afternoon.
Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800 MAX 9Y-CAL delivered new in November 2021, is seen here arriving as BW553 from Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-800 9Y-CAL is seen here crossing the fence!
Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600 9Y-TTA, BW451, arrives from B’Town, Barbados.
Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600 9Y-TTA in her non-descript livery.
Snow-schemed Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600 9Y-TTF arrived from Scarborough, Tobago, as BW1527.
Former, Briko Air Cessna 172, 9Y-TES, buzzing overhead.
Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard Swearingen SA-227AT Metro '215'.
Having been retired from service, after the demise of Air Caribbean, this Nihon YS-11’s sit,
covered in moss, silently on a forgotten part of a ramp at Port-of-Spain in March 2022.
covered in moss, silently on a forgotten part of a ramp at Port-of-Spain in March 2022.
Air Caribbean Nihon YS-11, 9Y-THO, started her career with Anchorage, Alaska based Reeve Aleutian Airways back in January 1980. In February 1995 she was sold to Air Caribbean.
The weather at Port-of-Spain was gray, airless and tropical warm.
Bristow Helicopters AgustaWestland AW319 9Y-SAR.
Trinidad west-coast is superb!
Chaguaramas Military Museum is privately funded and there is no government support, which means things are not happening as fast as they would like.
Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum. Don’t expect too much from it.
9Y-TGN (msn. 1191) made its maiden flight on July 30, 1980. Delivered to BWIA International (BWIA: British West Indies Airways) on August 14 of the same year as Sunjet Barbados, the aircraft spent its entire life flying with the flag carrier of Trinidad and Tobago.
Close cropped frontal view of 9Y-TGN.
BWIA Tristars were a common sight at Heathrow.
9Y-TGN was retired in March 2001 after logging 60,969 hours and 20,639 cycles, and sat at Port of Spain's Piarco International Airport for the next three years.
The airplane's paint has faded extremely due to ultra—violet exposure.
Dull cloudy conditions.
9Y-TGN, a Lockheed L-1011-5 was build 1980 and dismantled at Port of Spain in 2004.
Crying out for cosmetic attention.
Broken-up at Port of Spain in April 2004 and being reassembled at the Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum Chagaramus, Trinidad WI.
What does RB stand for in Rolls-Royce?
Rolls-Royce engines are often named with letters and numbers e.g. the RB211 is the heart of the Rolls-Royce family of large turbofan engines.
The B derivative stands for Barnoldswick (a city in the UK with a Rolls Royce plant) later modified to RB (Rolls Barnoldswick).
Rolls-Royce engines are often named with letters and numbers e.g. the RB211 is the heart of the Rolls-Royce family of large turbofan engines.
The B derivative stands for Barnoldswick (a city in the UK with a Rolls Royce plant) later modified to RB (Rolls Barnoldswick).
As in all pitot heads, there is a heating element to prevent icing and this creates the discoloration on the shiny stainless steel tube that looks as if a blowtorch has been played over the surface. Those heaters are mighty powerful.
Looking very weather beaten!
In the dingy drabness of the cabin.
The front office is missing a few essential components!
The flight engineer’s panel is located behind the co-pilot’s seat.
Time capsules of aviation history.
A wet afternoon morning at Camden airfield, Trinidad.
Those spraying planes were registered 9Y-TIN and 9Y-TIP.
9Y-UTT looked rather lackluster during our visit back in March 2022.
9Y-UTT Boeing 727-200F ex FedEx and ex Braniff N458BN, was handed over to Universtity of Trinidad & Tobago in 2015.
This Skyhawk was once part of the Trinidad & Tobaga Defence Force!
NHS hangar and platform at Camden, just after a tropical shower pour down.
NHS – National Helicopter service Sikorsky S-76D 9Y-RKD at Camden airfield, Trinidad on a wet day during March 2022.
NHS – National Helicopter service Sikorsky S-76D 9Y-MAD at Camden airfield, Trinidad.
NHS – National Helicopter service AugustaWestland AW139 9Y-MRL at Camden airfield, Trinidad in dull cloudy conditions.
One can find exceptional beautifull flowers at Trinidad.
Piarco International Airport is located 30 km east of Downtown Port of Spain, adjacent town of Piarco
The airport is also the primary hub and operating base for the country's national airline, as well as the Caribbean's largest airline, Caribbean Airlines. Piarco International Airport has direct scheduled service to destinations in the United States, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe. It is also a significant transit hub for the Southern Caribbean and serves as the primary connection point for many passengers travelling from Guyana.
The airport is also the primary hub and operating base for the country's national airline, as well as the Caribbean's largest airline, Caribbean Airlines. Piarco International Airport has direct scheduled service to destinations in the United States, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe. It is also a significant transit hub for the Southern Caribbean and serves as the primary connection point for many passengers travelling from Guyana.
The ATR-72 is a twin-engine turboprop, short-haul regional airliner developed and produced in France and Italy by aircraft manufacturer ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale or Avions de transport régional).
The number '72' in its name is derived from the aircraft's standard seating configuration in a passenger-carrying configuration.
To date, all of the ATR series have been completed at the company's final assembly line in Toulouse, France.
Due to the six-bladed propellers and better insulation, the ATR has reduced noise levels.
A supposedly anonymous ATR-72 is seen parked, on this late afternoon, but the registration (9Y-TTF) identifies it as one of the Caribbean Airlines fleet.
Late afternoon arrival at Tobago.
ANR Robinson International Airport (formerly Crown Point International Airport) is an international airport located on Crown Point, Tobago.
The A. N. R. Robinson International Airport is situated on the southwestern tip of the island of Tobago. On May 19, 2011 the airport was renamed after the Tobago-born third Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, A. N. R. Robinson. Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson (16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014; known as A. N. R. or "Ray" Robinson), was the third President of Trinidad and Tobago, serving from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003.
The A. N. R. Robinson International Airport is situated on the southwestern tip of the island of Tobago. On May 19, 2011 the airport was renamed after the Tobago-born third Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, A. N. R. Robinson. Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson (16 December 1926 – 9 April 2014; known as A. N. R. or "Ray" Robinson), was the third President of Trinidad and Tobago, serving from 19 March 1997 to 17 March 2003.
The airport is located within walking distance of some of several of the island's beaches. The airport was commissioned in December 1940 when the Work Department laid a 670-meter landing strip.
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View on Scarborough.
Swissport Cargo Services is the handling-company at TAB.
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Piarco Air Services Ltd. was established as a subsidiary of Lazzari & Sampson to specialize in Aircraft Handling Operations. Approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Piarco Air Services Ltd provides services which includes Imports, Exports, Packaging and Crating, Pickup and Delivery, Airport to Airport, Door to Door, Purchasing on request, Transhipment Cargo, IATA ground handling agents, Ground Transportation.
Swissport. The company was founded in 1996 as Swissair Ground Services International, independent of the former Swissair.
Parked in a remote corner of ANR Robinson airport I found this Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard Swearingen Metro SA-227AT.
Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard Swearingen Metro SA-227AT '216' is missing one of her Garrett TPE331 powerplants.
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Tobago is also a favorite with the rich and shameless!
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It was a sticky hot afternoon when I photographed this Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600 9Y-TTI taxiing to its stand at Scarborough.
Caribbean Airlines ATR-72-600 9Y-TTE ready to depart her stand at Tobago with another load of passengers.
Caribbean '1529' to Port-of-Spain, lining-up on runway 11 for departure.
Briko Air Services Cessna 172M Skyhawk buzzing our heads.
British Airways Boeing 777-300, G-VIIU, caught on camera approaching Scarborough, Tobago, under an overcast sky, in March 11, 2022.
BA Tripple G-VIIU arrives at Tobago with another cargo of sun - worshippers.
Boeing 777-200 G-VIIU taxiing to her assigned stand as BA2157.
British Airways ‘2157’ on blocks after its flight from Antigua.
British Airways, tail G-VIIU, disembarking pax at Tobago ANR Robinson airport.
Very nice beaches in Trinidad.
End of a lovely holiday.