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Blackpool International Airport (BLK), which hosted Britain’s first official major air show back in 1909, is celebrating 100 years of flying with a week of commemorative celebrations  - and this giant 10-foot tall suitcase.

The suitcase was created by artist Paul Kondras.  But don’t worry: he didn’t try checking it in or taking it aboard a flight as carry-on luggage.  Instead, this giant valise has been filled with an exhibition about the area’s connection to aviation pioneers.

And here’s something for travelers to consider while they’re inside that suitcase: although Blackpool airport charges every departing passenger over 16 years of age an Airport Development Fee (ADF) of about $15 U.S. dollars, since the beginning of this year the Airport has been offering all travelers 15 days of free parking.

Categories: Art, Aviation history, Baggage, Fun Stuff
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A new Stuck at the Airport subscriber (Welcome, Barbara!) was happy to see my recent MSN.com Travel story about Airports wit the best artwork, but was disappointed that I didn’t include the artwork at ABQ: Albuquerque International Sunport on the list:

“The entire airport feels like an art museum, with spectacular Native American art, pottery and sculpture ….Even its vigas [heavy beams or rafters] in the ceiling are decorated and carved.”

She’s right!   In addition to a changing exhibits program and a performance series, the Albuquerque International Sunport has a permanent art collection that’s mighty impressive and includes more than 100 pieces.

One of Barbara-the-new-subscriber’s favorite pieces is Gray Mercer’s Running Horses. I’m smitten by Tim Prythero’s American

If you’re heading to Albuquerque, make time for an art tour of the airport.  In the meantime, you can see images of what appears to be the airport’s entire art collection on Flickr, courtesy of the City of Albuquerque Public Art photostream.

Zebra, David Alvarez

All photos courtesy City of Albuquerque Public Art.

Categories: Art
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The Denver International Airport (DEN) is collaborating with Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve to exhibit photos of, and artwork inspired by, the Dunes—mountains, grasslands, sand and flowing streams.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll see.

(Burning Dunes–KiyoMichi Koike)

(Across the Valley–Carolyn Dailey)

DEN’s “Dunes” will be on display on the walkway between the terminal and the A Gates, before the security screening area, through January 10, 2010.

Categories: Art
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Happy Souvenir Sunday!

Shopping is always a great way to spend some time when you’re stuck at an airport. You just never know what you’ll find.

That’s why here at Stuck at The Airport we celebrate Souvenir Sunday every week.

This week: cute panda hats from China’s Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). The photo is courtesy of Michael Crockatt (left), from Canada’s Ottawa International Airport Authority (left) and Carol Hutchins (right), from the Edmonton International Airport.

PEK airport seems huge  – Terminal 3, which opened for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, is the second largest airport terminal in the world – but not boring.

According the airport Web site, an entertainment center at the airport offers:

“…Chinese tea ceremony, beauty saloon [I think they mean salon, but a beauty saloon seems intriguing],  hairdressers, foot care house and so on. …There is time-meter hotel in the first underground floor,  …You can also go to the cinema hall to enjoy the latest films or go to enjoy Chinese massage.”

All that sounds great, doesn’t it?

But this is Souvenir Sunday, so let’s celebrate those panda hats (and the brave models) and let me invite you to send along your photos of a fun souvenir you’ve found at the airport.

There are just a few rules: to be featured on Souvenir Sunday, an airport souvenir needs to be under $10, “of” a city or region and, if possible, just a wee bit offbeat.

Like those panda hats!

Categories: Health, Lodging, Massages, Other Resources, Recreation, Shopping, Souvenirs
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It’s Kids Day at New York LaGuardia Airport this Saturday ( September 26th, 2009)  from 10 am until 4 pm.

During the event, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, kids and adults will get to tour commercial jets and military aircraft while flight attendants hand out complimentary snacks and beverages.

In addition to planes from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways, military aircraft on display will include:

• New York Air Guard Lockheed LC-130 Hercules (one of only seven C-130s in the world with skis) out of the 109th Airlift Wing, Schenectady, NY (used for South Pole missions)
• US Navy King Air

Vintage Military

• AT-6C Texans fighters from the American Air Power Museum in Farmingdale
• B-25 Mitchel bomber from Farmingdale.

For more information see: the Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia Airport Web site or see NYCAviation.com.

The Geico Skytypers might even show up.

Categories: Aviation history, Entertainment, Events, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Kids
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