Pope's arrival

[Greg McDonald]

The final day of the Pope’s itinerary will begin with a private Mass, followed by a trip to The Domain in Sydney where he will meet with the 23rd World Youth Day volunteers and bid farewell to the youth. He will then go directly to Sydney's international airport, where he will be greeted by the authorities before departing by plane for Darwin. After a brief stopover, his flight will proceed to Rome where the Holy Father is due to arrive at around 11 pm.

Foir those in the know, what time does this mean he'll be leaving Sydney?

[Tim Bowrey]

Will he be driven around in a Bullet-proof car like Dick Chaney when he was here does anyone think? Pottentially bringing some cool looking cargo aircraft in? Because an Antonov An-124 brought a few Bullet-proof cars for Mr Chaney when he was here i think.

Any ideas what aircraft this will be? His charter or a different one?

He will then go directly to Sydney's international airport, where he will be greeted by the authorities before departing by plane for Darwin.

Tim

[Greg McDonald]

Originally Posted by Tim Bowrey

Because an Antonov An-124 brought a few Bullet-proof cars for Mr Chaney when he was here i think.

If I remember correctly, wasn't it a couple of C-17 aircraft that brought the cars and SUVs to Richmond?

[Tim Bowrey]

Ah your probably right Greg but i got a photo of one coming into RWY34L when he was in unless it was bringing something else.

http://myaviation.net/?pid=01011114

Tim

[Andrew C]

Why is the Pope arriving @ Richmond?
1/ security - YSSY had POTUS could handle the Pope

2/ Is he arriving after 11pm???

Any ideas all.

[Mark Grima]

Originally Posted by Steve Jones

Sorry if it's already reported, but I believe it's an Alitalia 777 and the intention is to fly it nonstop to Sydney from Rome if possible.

QF are the official WYD08 airline partner, I would be very very surprised if the pope arrived in to Australia on anything other then a QF 744.

Cheers

M

[Andrew C]

It was already announced that the aircraft with the Pope will arrive into Richmond. I always thought he flew on an Alitalia plane.

here is the latest travel information from the Holy See

Saturday, 12 July 2008

Fiumicino (Rome)

10.00 Departure by plane from the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport of Fiumicino (Rome) for the Airport of Darwin/RAAF Military Air Base


AUSTRALIA

Sunday, 13 July 2008

Darwin

9.15 Arrival at Darwin Airport/RAAF Military Air Base
Technical stopover
10.30 Departure by plane from Darwin Airport/RAAF Military Air Base for Richmond Airport (Sydney)/RAAF Military Air Base
Richmond (Sydney)

15.00 Arrival at Richmond Airport (Sydney)/RAAF Military Air Base
15.15 Transfer by car from Richmond Airport (Sydney)/RAAF Military Air Base to the Private Residence
Private time till the morning of Thursday 17 July

[Jethro H]

World Youth Day organisers also announced at least 36 extra flights scheduled for next month, including four additional Qantas flights from Los Angeles and Europe and a charter flight.

The charter would be call signed "Shepherd 1". Type of aircraft has not been published yet.

[Mick M]

QF are the official WYD08 airline partner, I would be very very surprised if the pope arrived in to Australia on anything other then a QF 744.

We could start a tote on this. Well, at least there's lots of discussion on this one!

Because an Antonov An-124 brought a few Bullet-proof cars for Mr Chaney when he was here i think.

I don't think so Tim. Hell would freeze over before the US Government allowed security vehicles to travel on Russian aircraft. Russian aircraft move Russian government freight, US aircraft move US government freight.

[Mike Scott]

Dont be surprised when this pope show's up on Lufthansa !!!!

MS