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COP26: Aircraft carrying world leaders excite planespotters

Supplied Egyptian Airbus A340-200Supplied
An Egyptian Airbus A340-200 landing at Glasgow Airport on Sunday afternoon

As world leaders and delegates descend on Glasgow for COP26, Scotland's airports have been filling up with planes from across the globe.

Planespotters at Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire described the conference as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to spot aircraft not normally seen in Scotland.

Over the past week, cargo planes have been spotted arriving, with some carrying motorcade vehicles and helicopters.

Aircraft from Africa, the Middle East and South America were among those that touched down on the opening day of the conference.

COP26 is a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for Scottish planespotters
David Russell Boeing C-40 plane on final approach to Glasgow International AirportDavid Russell
David Russell captured this shot of a US Air Force Boeing C-40 on its final approach into Glasgow Airport
George Mutch Antonov-148-100B aircraftGeorge Mutch
Edinburgh Airport saw this Ukrainian government Antonov-148-100B arrive carrying the country's delegation
Jack Conner RAF Puma helicopterJack Conner
An RAF Westland Puma HC2 helicopter parked up at Glasgow Airport
US President Joe Biden's plane lands in Scotland for the COP26 climate change summit
Planespotters at Prestwick Airport
Planespotters at Prestwick Airport braved rain showers on Sunday afternoon to snap pictures of incoming aircraft
Boeing 737-900 owned by the government of Kuwait
State of Kuwait Boeing 737-900 taxiing next to the runway at Prestwick Airport
Tommy Donachie Cyprus Airways Airbus A319Tommy Donachie
This Cyprus Airways Airbus A319, which isn't a regular visitor to Scotland, flew in from Larnaca
Supplied Bangladeshi Boeing 787-9 DreamlinerSupplied
This Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner travelled more than 5,000 miles (8,000km) from Dhaka, Bangladesh to Glasgow
Group of planespotters at Prestwick Airport
Aviation enthusiasts Nathan, Rory, Ben and John (L-R) drove overnight from London to Prestwick Airport for some COP26 planespotting
Planes parked up at Prestwick Airport
A Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 and a Qatar Airways Airbus A340 parked under grey skies at Prestwick Airport
Lee Donaldson Boeing 777 jetLee Donaldson
Earlier this month, a Japanese government Boeing 777 stopped in Glasgow, captured in this picture by 15-year-old Lee Donaldson
Gordon Duncan
Aviation photographer Gordon Duncan says the scale of COP26 means it is a "once-in-a-lifetime" event for planespotters in Scotland
George Mutch Russian jet aircraftGeorge Mutch
A Russian Dassault Falcon 7X jet arrived in Edinburgh from Moscow on Sunday
Supplied A Bolivian Air Force plane takes offSupplied
A Bolivian Air Force Dassault Falcon 900EX takes to the skies over Glasgow

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