One more step until the league phase - UEFA Champions League Play-Off Round return leg 27/28 August 2024

The UEFA Champions League qualifiers are going down the final straight and seven teams will join the 29 clubs that are already in the main draw for the league phase. While some of the ties have already gone quite clearly in one team's direction, some others are still wide open after the first leg matches on 20 and 21 August. The games on 27 and 28 August will provide some prime action and surely some interesting charter flights too.

27 August 2024

Sparta Prague vs. Malmö FF 

21.00h, Stadion Letna, Prague

(first leg 2-0)

The Czech champions Sparta will take a handy lead into their home game against the Swedish champions. They could qualify for the main event for the first time in 19 years as long as they will not lose by more than one goal. Malmö travel in rather discrete style, using a Saab 2000 of Frost Air for the trip to Prague.

FRO040 MMX 1100-1225 PRG SB20 OY-FSC (26/08/24)

FRO041 PRG 1200-xxxx MMX SB20 (28/08/24)

FC Salzburg vs. Dynamo Kyiv

21.00h, Red Bull Arena, Salzburg

(first leg 2-0)

Once again, Dynamo Kyiv will arrive from their exile in Poland for the away game in Salzburg. Interestingly, there were two flights planned for this trip, one on what is supposed to be FlyOne's sole Boeing 737-800 UR-PSF and the other one on an Enter Air Boeing 737-800. Equally interesting is the return trip to Kishinev. On the sports side, Salzburg will start with a two-goal lead in the tie - enough to take them to the Champions League league phase?

ENT588 LUZ xxxx-1510 SZG B738 (25/08/24)

ENT589P SZG 1600-xxxx GRX B738 (25/08/24, ferry flight)

7W7737 LUZ 1835-2015 SZG B738 UR-PSF (25/08/24)

7W7738 SZG 2100-xxxx RMO B738 UR-PSF (25/08/24, ferry flight)

7W7737 RMO xxxx-0910 SZG B738 (28/08/24, ferry flight)

ENT589P POZ xxxx-0930 SZG B738 (28/08/24, ferry flight)

7W7738 SZG 1010-xxxx RMO B738 (28/08/24)

ENT590 SZG 1030-xxxx RMO B738 (28/08/24)

Galatasaray Istanbul vs. BSC Young Boys

21.00h CET (22.00h local time), Rams Park ("Ali Sami Yen"), Istanbul

(first leg 2-3)

The first leg of this champions path tie was an up and down for both side. Joel Monteiro scored two goals in the first half for YB. Michi Batshuayi followed this up by two goals as a substitute in the second half. The Swiss champions then took a late lead from a Filip Ugrinic penalty. Interestingly for this long trip, Young Boys are using a propeller plane in Avanti Air's Dash 8-Q400.

ATV025H GRZ 1740-1905 BRN DH8D D-AASH (25/08/24, ferry flight)

ATV261H BRN 0900-1340 IST DH8D D-AASH (26/08/24)

D-AASH, Avanti Air Dash 8-Q400, seen at London-Gatwick in May 2024

28 August 2024

Red Star Belgrade vs. Bodø/Glimt

21.00h, Rajko Mitic Stadium ("Marakana"), Belgrade

(first leg 1-2)

After some exciting ventures in UEFA's other two club competitions, Bodø/Glimt are on the verge of making Norwegian football history. They could be the next club from this Nordic country to qualify for the main event in the UEFA Champions League if they manage to defend their 2-1 lead successfully in Belgrade. The team will travel South one day earlier than usual, flying out with Global Reach Aviation and their CRJ-900 OY-MIT.

GAV325 BOO 1500-xxxx BEG CRJ9 OY-MIT (26/08/24)

GAV325 BEG xxxx-1840 BOO CRJ9 OY-MIT (29/08/24)

Slavia Prague vs. Lille OSC

21.00h, Eden Arena, Prague

(first leg 0-2)

In a league path clash, LOSC beat Slavia Prague 2-0 in the first leg. This lead should come in handy for the return leg. But with no away goals rule these days, even two goals' deficit are not that much to overcome actually. So, Slavia are still in with a chance - and they play at home in the second leg. LOSC's charter flight shows up with an AirExplore flight number, but should actually be operated by KlasJet and one of their Boeing 737-500 aircraft.

AXE8131 LIL xxxx-1815 PRG B735 LY-KLT (27/08/24)

AXE8132 PRG 0000-xxxx LIL B735 LY-KLT (29/08/24)

Qarabag Agdam vs. Dinamo Zagreb

18.45h CET (20.45h local time), Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku

(first leg 0-3)

Three goals up from the first leg, Dinamo Zagreb have a healthy lead to defend in Azerbaijan against Qarabag. The journey down there is a long one though and the Croatian champions depart one day early, on Monday with Croatia Airlines to Baku.

OU9520 ZAG 1410-2005 GYD A319 9A-CTG (26/08/24)

OU9521 GYD 2055-2255 ZAG A319 9A-CTG (26/08/24, ferry flight)

Slovan Bratislava vs. FC Midtjylland

21.00h, Narodny Futbalovy Stadion, Bratislava

(first leg 1-1)

90 or even 120 minutes await these two teams who are tied at one goal apiece after the first leg. The champions of Denmark can count on some supporters who will even fly down to Slovakia on a charter flight on the match day itself - rather unusual for a qualifier game.

ZQ1999 BLL 1225-1420 BTS E190 (27/08/24)

AP1235 BLL 1020-1215 BTS B738 (28/08/24)

Play-off round in sight - UEFA Champions League Qualifiers R3 14 August 2024

13 August 2024

The UEFA Super Cup on 14 August means that all Champions League qualifiers will take place on 13 August this week. With a maximum of two goals between sides, the majority of the draws is still wide open. In Ludogorets Razgrad and Bodø/Glimt, two sides have a first-leg advantage to defend at home. On the other end of the scale, APOEL Nicosia, Ferencvaros Budapest and Union Saint-Gilloise will have to fight back from two goals down at home. All the winning teams will advance to the play-off round while the losers from the champions' path go into the UEFA Europa League play-off phase. The losers from the league path will directly be admitted to the UEFA Europa League league phase.

Ludogorets Razgrad vs. FK Qarabag Agdam

In a clash between two teams with Champions League experience, Ludogorets managed to get a slim lead away in Azerbaijan. They will look to defend this lead against the only side from Azerbaijan ever to get a Champions League group stage ticket.

AHY4001 GYD 1630-1830 VAR A319 4K-AZ05 (12/08/24)

AYH4002 VAR 1930-2300 GYD A319 4K-AZ05 (12/08/24, ferry flight)

AHY4002 VAR 0130-xxxx GYD (14/08/24)

Bodø/Glimt vs. Jagiellonia Bialystok

Neither of these two sides have ever made it to the group stage of Europe's premier club football competition. With an away win in the pocket, Bodø/Glimt are surely looking forward to sealing a spot in the next round. For their trip up North to Bodø, Jagiellonia Bialystok count on LOT Polish Airlines.

LO7299 WAW 0940-1225 BOO E195 SP-LNL (12/08/24)

LO7300 BOO 1315-1545 WAW E195 SP-LNL (12/08/24, ferry flight)

LO7300 BOO 1325-xxxx WAW E195 (14/08/24)

FCSB vs. Sparta Prague

A rather unusual travel arrangement for the Czech champions, with Turkish Airlines taking them from Prague to Bucharest. For the return flight however, they will be able to count on their home carrier Smartwings and one of their Boeing 737-800 aircraft. 

TK3281 PRG 1200-1440 OTP A321 TC-JRM (12/08/24)

QS4313 OTP xxxx-1515 PRG B738 (14/08/24)

Union St-Gilloise vs. Slavia Prague

Taking two goals' advantage into the return leg, Slavia Prague travel on Sunday evening already. In this league phase tie, the loser will at least be playing in the UEFA Europa League in the next few months. This means less pressure on the teams. A win could definitely be seen as a massive bonus though.

QS4374 PRG 1825-2015 BRU B737 OK-SWW (11/08/24)

Twente Enschede vs. FC Salzburg

For the first time in some years, the Red Bull club from Salzburg is not playing as a league champion, but as the Austrian league's runner-up. They led 2-0 at home in the first leg against Twente, but then conceded a late goal that just about keeps the Dutch runners-up in the tie. Salzburg will fly directly to the former airbase of Enschede, using one of the two Avanti Air Dash 8-400 turboprops.

ATV012H GRZ 1240-1330 SZG DH8D (12/08/24, ferry flt)

ATV121H SZG 1500-1645 ENS DH8D (12/08/24)

ATV141H ENS xxxx-1535 SZG DH8D (14/08/24)

ATV041H SZG 1630-xxxx GRZ DH8D (14/08/24, ferry flt)

Avanti Air Dash 8-Q400 D-AASH

arriving at London-Gatwick in May 2024

APOEL Nicosia vs. Slovan Bratislava

A KlasJet Boeing 737-500 will fly under an AirExplore flight number from Bratislava to Larnaca with the Slovak national champions on board. Slovan Bratislava will look to consolidate or at least defend the 2-0 lead from the first leg. The winner from this tie will face the winner of the tie between Ferencvaros and Midtjylland in the play-off round. All in all, this seems to be a rather easy way to the main round of the UEFA Champions League. But all matches have to be played and won of course.

ED8103 BTS 1330-1720 LCA B735 LY-FLT (12/08/24)

PAOK Saloniki vs. Malmö FF

In rather discrete manner, Malmö FF will travel to their away assignment in Greece. Just an Embraer EMB-145 is enough for them to fly to Thessaloniki. In this tie, everything seems wide open after Malmö FF twice took the lead and PAOK twice equalised in the first leg for a 2-2 draw.

TLJ818M LBG 0645-0830 MMX E145 F-HFKF (12/08/24, ferry flt)
TLJ818M MMX 1000-1350 SKG E145 F-HFKF (12/08/24)

Fenerbahçe Istanbul vs. Lille OSC

In the league path, Lille have a tricky trip ahead to Sükru Saracoglu, traditionally a difficult venue for away teams. At least LOSC will have one goal's advantage to defend against the Turkish runners-up. Boeing 737-500 LY-KDT is another well-known feature on the football charter circuit.

KLJ2094 LPA 0730-1220 LIL B735 LY-KDT (12/08/24, ferry flt)
KLJ2101 LIL 1415-1840 IST B735 LY-KDT (12/08/24)

Glasgow Rangers vs. Dynamo Kyiv

As has been the case in the past couple of years, Dynamo Kyiv have set up camp in Poland. They will arrive in Glasgow directly from Lublin with Comlux Aviation Malta and their Boeing 737-500, a rare feature these days with its retro-fitted winglets. The winners of this clash will face the winners of the tie between Salzburg and Twente Enschede.

MLM712 NCE 0600-0805 LUZ B735 9H-MAC (12/08/24, ferry flt)
MLM712 LUZ 1000-1155 GLA B735 9H-MAC (12/08/24)

Ferencvaros vs. Midtjylland

One of two teams to travel by turboprop aircraft in this round, Midtjylland take a 2-0 lead with them to Budapest. Frost Air provides a Saab 2000 for this trip. 

FRO084 BLL 1210-1415 BUD SB20 OY-FSB (12/08/24)

Danes in Italy, Ajax to Liverpool - UEFA Champions League 1 December 2020

Lokomotiv Moscow vs. FC Salzburg

It may come as a slight surprise that Lokomotiv has managed two draws against Atlético in the past two games, which puts them into a favourable position against Salzburg. The Austrians ideally need a win in Moscow to remain in the race for a spot in spring's Europa League knock-out stages or even a spot in the Champions League round of 16. The latter though would require a win over Atlético in the last round, as well as Bayern losing in Madrid. Salzburg will travel to Moscow with Air X:

AXY2906 STN xxxx-1845 SZG B735 (29/11/20, ferry flt)

AXY3002 SZG 1030-xxxx SVO B735 (30/11/20)

AXY206 SVO xxxx-1355 SZG B735 (02/12/20)

AXY203 SZG 1455-xxxx KRR B735 (02/12/20, ferry flt)

Atlético Madrid vs. FC Bayern München

Bayern are already through and will win this group, with 12 points from four games. Atléti meanwhile have to look into their back mirror, because two draws agains Lokomotiv Moscow could spell late trouble for them. Points against the already qualified Bayern would ease Atléti's nerves a little. The German visitors will come to town with Lufthansa, on an Airbus A350:

LH2570 MUC 1530-1810 MAD A359 (30/11/20)

LH2571 MAD 1020-1300 MUC A359 (30/11/20)

Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Internazionale

14 goals in four matches, including two big wins over Shakhtar Donetsk mean that Mönchengladbach are sitting on top of this group. A win against Inter would seal their deal for a round of 16 spot and depending on the result of Real Madrid away in Ukraine, even a draw may be enough to qualify already with a game to spare. Inter will arrive at Düsseldorf with Alitalia, while the return flight will depart from Cologne, where there are no night flying restrictions.

AZ9018 MXP 1645-1825 DUS A319 (30/11/20)

AZ9019 CGN 0120-0305 MXP A319 (02/12/20)

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Real Madrid

Real will be relieved after winning away against Inter in the previous round, but there is work to do yet. The team of Zinedine Zidane will travel to Ukraine with Iberia, though the exact type of aircraft is yet to be specified:

IB2800 MAD 0900-1405 KBP A359 (30/11/20)

IB2803 KBP xxxx-0305 MAD A359 (02/12/20)

FC Porto vs. Manchester City

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is through to the round of 16 already. In a tight schedule it will be interesting to see whether City will pick a full squad for this away trip or whether they will leave the task to some keen reserve players. Guardiola's experience probably favours the first of those two options. City will travel to Porto with Titan Airways:

ZT7775 MAN 1500-1730 OPO A321 (30/11/20)

ZT7776 OPO 1500-1730 MAN A321 (02/12/20)

Olympique Marseille vs. Olympiacos Piraeus

The Greek visitors hold a slender advantage over Marseille, courtesy of a 1-0 win at home in October. Marseille for their part have not scored a single goal in this season's campaign and they are on a streak of 13 consecutive lost games in the Champions League. Ideally they would have to score at least two goals more than Olympiacos, who will arrive in Marseille with Aegean Airlines. But depending on how the last round will go, that may not even be enough to make it into the Europa League:

AEE4010 ATH xxxx-1210 MRS A320 (30/11/20)

AEE4011 MRS 1100-xxxx ATH A320 (02/12/20)

Liverpool FC vs. Ajax FC

A surprise loss at Anfield against Atalanta has thrown this group wide open. And with Liverpool's player availability at the moment, there seems to be no certainty at all for the match against Ajax. The Dutch team however have managed to beat Midtjylland 3-1 in the fourth round to remain in contention. They will travel to Liverpool with TUI:

OR7355 AMS 1400-1420 LPL B738 OO-JEF (30/11/20)

OR7356 LPL 1120-1350 AMS B738 OO-JEF (02/12/20)

Atlanta Bergamo vs. FC Midtjylland

The Danish champions are already out of the UEFA competitions and yet have two matches to play. Atalanta however have brought themselves seriously back into the running, with a good away win in Liverpool. Midtjylland are forced to travel from Billund instead of Karup again and will use The Great Dane Airlines to travel to Bergamo:

DW713 BLL xxxx-1150 BGY E195 OY-GDA (30/11/20)

DW714 BGY 1200-1400 BLL E195 OY-GDA (02/12/20)

Great Dane Airlines EMB-195 OY-GDA at Tenerife in December 2019

UEFA CL Qualifiers, R2 return leg, 31 July - 1 August 2018

31 July 2018

Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs. Dinamo Zagreb

Taking a comfortable lead of 5-0 into the second leg, Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb travel to Israel in the knowledge that not that much will actually happen. They will probably already focus on their third round tie, against either Midtjylland or FC Astana:

OU8350 ZAG 0900-1310 TLV A319 (30/07/18)

OU8351 TLV 0110-xxxx ZAG A319 (01/08/18)

Spartak Trnava vs. Legia Warsaw

Despite Spartak Trnava having flown from/to Piestany the week before, Legia Warsaw prefers to use Bratislava Airport for its arrival to Slovakia, arriving on Monday over lunchtime with a LOT EMB-170:

LO7631 WAW 1200-1315 BTS E170 (30/07/18)
LO7632 BTS 0905-xxxx WAW E170 (01/08/18)

1 August 2018

FC Basel vs. PAOK Saloniki

The Swiss runners-up will play their return leg against their Greek counterparts on Swiss national day, 1 August at St Jakob Park. PAOK Saloniki will arrive with one well-known Jumbolino:

AZI120 SKG xxxx-1315 BSL B463 SX-DIZ (31/07/18)

AZI121 BSL 1350-xxxx SKG B463 SX-DIZ (31/07/18, ferry flt)

Malmö FF vs. CFR Cluj

SVB312 OTP xxxx-1840 MMX E145 (30/07/18)

Midtjylland vs. FC Astana

RRJ233 TSE xxxx-1225 BLL A319 (30/07/18)

MOL Vidi vs. Ludogorets Razgrad

FB5737 VAR 1020-xxxx BUD (31/07/18)

Süduva Mariampole vs. Red Star Belgrade

JU3680 BEG 1000-xxxx KUN B733 (31/07/18)

HJK Helsinki vs. BATE Borisov

BRU8931 MSQ 1100-1215 HEL CRJ1 (31/07/18)

UEFA CL Qualifiers, R2 first leg, 24-25 July 2018

24 July 2018

PAOK Saloniki vs. FC Basel

Despite a fair show in the Round of 16 in last season's edition of the Champions League, FC Basel had to settle for second place in the Swiss Championship for the first time since 2009. This led to an entry in the second round of the Champions League qualifiers and a trip to Greece:

PAV5083 TXL xxxx-1820 BSL CRJ2 D-AGRA (22/07/18, ferry flt)
2L1306 BRN xxxx-0820 BSL F100 (23/07/18, ferry flt)
2L6306 BSL 0905-xxxx SKG F100 (23/07/18)
2L1307 SKG xxxx-xxxx BRN F100 (23/07/18, ferry flt)

PAV5090 BSL 0930-xxxx SKG CRJ2 D-AGRA (23/07/18)

ST1081 SKG xxxx-1740 BSL B734 (25/07/18)

ST109 BSL 1825-xxxx ERF B734 (25/07/18)

CFR Cluj vs. Malmö FF

TF8690 MMX 1100-xxxx CLJ RJ85 (23/07/18)

TF8690 CLJ xxxx-0025(+1) MMX RJ85 (24/07/18)

Shkendija vs. Sheriff Tiraspol

SVB322 KIV xxxx-1230 SKP E145 (23/07/18)

SVB323 SKP 0030-xxxx KIV E145 (25/07/18)

Red Star Belgrade vs. Süduva Marijampole

IGA742 KUN xxxx-1350 BEG SF34 (23/07/18)

Legia Warsaw vs. Spartak Trnava

BPS1132 PZY xxxx-1130 WAW E120 (23/07/18)

FC Astana vs. FC Midtjylland

DX6221 BLL 0800-1730 TSE A320 OY-JRZ (23/07/18)
DX6222 TSE 1015-xxxx BLL A320 OY-JRZ (25/07/18)

25 July 2018

Ludogorets Razgrad vs. Vidi

SVB318 BUD xxxx-1200 VAR E145 (24/07/18)

SVB319 VAR 0100-xxxx BUD E145 (26/07/18)

Ajax Amsterdam vs. SK Sturm Graz

ST103 XFW 1000-1130 GRZ A319 D-ASTZ (24/07/18, ferry flt)
ST1031 GRZ 1225-1415 RTM A319 D-ASTZ (24/07/18)
ST104 RTM 1500-1600 XFW A319 D-ASTZ (24/07/18, ferry flt)

Celtic Glasgow vs. Rosenborg BK

WF7546 TRD 1200-xxxx GLA DH8D (24/07/18)

WF7547 GLA xxxx-1625 TRD DH8D (26/07/18)