Comment / It's taken me a while to grab a photo of Martinair's new scheme, but here we are - PH-MCT arrives at Stansted on one of a number of weekly MD-11 services to Essex from the Americas.

Comment / Still not convinced that the new colours are an improvement on this scheme...

Comment / Where did the titles go?

Comment / During the middle of winter, the sun sets in just the right position at Stansted, nicely silhouetting arrivals on to runway 23, whilst also revealing traffic further south over London.

Comment / The very first of the day's sun rays catch the first of two daily CSA services from Prague.

Comment / Another view of this fine aircraft - pristine white paint and highly polished chrome!

Comment / I've been trying to catch A6-GDP in bright sunlight for months, and you can't ask for much better weather than this! Kept busy flying race horses around the globe, this Boeing 747-200 (which once served with BA as G-BLVF, incidentally) is registered after Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin stables.

Comment / Although delivered as a convertible, PH-MCE is now occupied solely on cargo duties, and is seen here departing Stansted as Martinair 094 in some milky winter afternoon sunlight. This aircraft turns 20 next month - click here for a photo of PH-MCE arriving at Amsterdam on her delivery flight in 1987!

Comment / SkyEurope's woes seem to continue, with persistent reports of mounting losses. Last year saw the airline cut back significantly at Stansted, with 2007 set to start upon the same note. On 9th January, SkyEurope will end it's Krakow route, leaving just sketchy schedules to Bratislava and Poprad.

Comment / MD-11s can make for some great photos, especially in damp conditions when they produce some fantastic vortices. Couple that with a sunset and the results can be more than agreeable! This aircraft, N524FE, is no stranger to transatlantic duties, having previously served with Delta Airlines as N809DE between 1993 and 2003, and is seen here arriving on the daily FedEx flight from Memphis.