Argentina Aviation Adventure 2006
page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
(previous)
(next)
Montevideo Carrasco International Airport, Uruguay
As for the airport at Montevideo, there is absolutely no reason to make a special journey to visit as Carrasco International is best described as slow and uninteresting. A 30 minute taxi ride from central Montevideo is the only means to get to the airport, and to cure one’s sense of curiosity, one could arrive a bit early for one’s flight. Ask your hotel reception to call a taxi to take you to the airport, and they will advise you what the going fare is. Upon arrival at the airport, the taxi driver may try to charge more than the agreed fare quoted by the hotel (this happened to us), but we successfully stood firm on the matter. The new check-in section of the airport is spartan and airy, and like Ezeiza, it is a recent add-on to a terminal building that dates from the early 1950s. When I was last at this airport back in 1990, the new addition had not yet been constructed, and the original airport boasted an open-air observation deck, as typical of the day. The stairs up to the second level observation deck at the center of the terminal building are unchanged, but the observation deck is now permanently closed. However, at the top of the stairs and beside the old observation deck (which is still there albeit closed to the public), there is a new and very well appointed airport restaurant (which is also above the departure lounge) and it offers through-the-window views of the main apron area.
A steady procession of locals and passengers come and go to watch the planes, and the security guards have no problem with the use of film or video cameras from the restaurant. Simply request a window table, order a beer or soft drink, and there is no problem to sit there for an extended period of time. Although the restaurant decor is rather fancy, the prices are extremely reasonable, unlike the rip-off pricing typically encountered at other airports in North American and Europe. An ice cold beer served in a chilled glass can be had for less than $2 (I enjoyed two), and the restaurant is very nicely air-conditioned. We noticed a Varig pilot with his paperwork spread out over at the corner window table, obviously his favorite spot at MVD! An aircraft spotter could not ask for a better place to view the proceedings, and it compares more than favourably with most executive class lounges! During the one hour we sat there awaiting our flight back to the Aeroparque on Sunday, January 29, 2006, it was rather quiet. Only a United 767 landed, and an Aerolineas Argentinas 737 departed back to Ezeiza. The restaurant is equipped with TV monitors showing the airport's arrivals and departures, which makes life easy for both spotters and passengers alike. The arrivals board showed a few Pluna arrivals and a Varig arrival from Porto Alegre. Not exactly busy. The Pluna and Uruguayan Air Force maintenance areas are not visible from restaurant.
After quickly clearing through customs and the duty-free area to await our flight back to the Aeroparque, the security guard immediately prevented me from removing my cameras from the camera bag while awaiting in the apron-level departure gate area (directly underneath the restaurant and check-in areas). So it was not possible to photograph the inbound arrival of our 737-200 CX-BOO as it taxied to its parking position. Once aboard the bus and away from the prying eyes of the security guard, there was no problem photographing our 737 during the boarding process. Other than the C- registered Global Express sitting beside our Boeing, there was nothing else to photograph! The Pluna staff had no objections whatsoever to my taking photos during the boarding, nor did they object to the use of cameras (video and still) during the short flight back to the Aeroparque.
Pluna flight back to the Aeroparque
Happily seated in 8L (a window) just forward of the wing, our airtime back to the Aeroparque was again a very pleasant 30 minutes, and again the flight was full, and we landed at 1537 in beautiful, clear, hot and sunny skies on runway 31 (which was in use each and every day of our visit).
Again, the friendly Pluna cabin crew posed for photos on the rear air-stairs, and our checked baggage was quickly delivered. Overall, Pluna gets top marks for providing friendly, punctual and efficient service! We made it to San Telmo just in time to catch tail end of the Sunday market, and enjoyed a very nice sidewalk tango show presented by a very talented troupe from www.TangoSanTelmo.com.ar!
|
Articles & photos are copyright
and protected property of Henry Tenby. Reproduction prohibitted without permission.
|
|
