Fort de France Airport - Spotting Guide

Fort de France Airport – Spotting Guide

October 9, 2023 - last modified on December 6, 2023

Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (IATA: FDF, ICAO: TFFF) is the international airport of Martinique in the French West Indies, a French overseas department (and therefore part of the EU). Located in Le Lamentin, a suburb of the capital Fort-de-France, it was opened in 1950 and renamed in 2007, after author and politician Aimé Césaire. The airport is at an elevation of 16 ft (5 m) above mean sea level and has one runway designated 10/28. There’s one main terminal that is currently being expanded and modernized.

Around 5-6 daily widebody flights from Paris arriving in the afternoon and departing late afternoon/evening (Air Caraibes A350-900/1000, Air France B777-300ER, Corsair A330-300/900), regional flights throughout the day with ATR42/72 by Air Caraibes and Air Antilles and Air France A320 based in the Caribbean. Several weekly flights of American Eagle E175 and Air Canada (737MAX, A220) arriving at noontime (Air Transat in winter only), and occasional service from neighboring Caribbean islands. Regular cargo flights of Fedex and DHL (Cessna), occasionally AmeriJet 757F.

Written by Konstantin von Wedelstaedt. Last Update: August 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	3,000 m × 45 m (9,843 ft × 148 ft)
Terminals	One for all flights passenger flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary at any of the locations.
Car/Public Transport	Car is preferred although spots 2-3 are within walking distance from the terminal.
Drinks/Food	Closest are available in the terminal or gas stations near the airport, supermarkets in Le Lamentin
Hotels	There isn’t a hotel next to the airport.
Season	High sun and hot/humid climate in summer, winter preferable (Dec till March)
Security	No problems observed but stay on perimeter and keep some distance from the military base next to spot 1.
Runway Usage
10/28	Runway 10 most frequently in use due to predominant easterly winds

	Spot #1 – Military Area
WHERE	Take the road past cargo and general aviation facilities parallel to the runway along the northern perimeter, which will loop around the runway and end at the military base. Outside the gate is an elevated flat area where you can park. When the big planes arrive from Paris in the afternoon, a popular spot also for locals to watch the arrivals.

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 10 only. You can also place yourself directly under the approach path for head-on shots of planes approaching, with the low sun reflecting the ocean on the aircraft’s belly in the late afternoon.

TIME	Sunrise until noon from the south side and from afternoon until sunset from the northern side.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Don’t stay too close to the military base which is at the end of the road.

FOCAL LENGTH	A350 70mm, A320 150mm

	Spot #2 – Crash Gate
WHERE	On the perimeter road heading towards the previous spot on perimeter road. About two thirds down the runway, there is a crash gate with wide spaced metal frames that easily allows even big lenses to fit through. Note this road is busy with joggers and cyclists in the afternoon so don’t block them when parking your car.

WHAT	All runway movements. The touchdown zone will be slighty to your right and you can also take photos of aircraft taxiing on the runway (no taxiway).

TIME	From afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	A350 120mm, A320 200mm

	Spot #3 – General Aviation Ramp
WHERE	The spot is at the fence, past the general aviation terminal just next to the ramp where the round bends right.

WHAT	View of parked light aircraft, also limited runway views

TIME	Depends on the angle but from noon until sunset should be fine.

MISC.	There is a restaurant between the cargo area and the general aviation facilities. Pictures can be taken through the mesh of the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on distance and size of subjects

	Spot #4 – Roundabout
WHERE	On the N5 heading south to Le Marin, take the first exit after the airport for the N6 to Le Francois. On the exit lane, there is a bus stop with a long extra lane where you can park. You will be on the runway centerline. This spot is rather new as previously, a field blocked the view (possibly it will re-grow and limit visibility).

WHAT	Good for creative arrival/departure shots. In case of rare runway 28 arrivals, just position yourself further north or south for side views.

TIME	Sunrise until noon from the south side and from afternoon until sunset from the northern side for arrivals 28.

MISC.	Nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	Full focal length for “creative” actions shots

	Spot #5 – Terminal
WHERE	The spot is airside (behind security) on departure level in front of the entrance to the Air Caraibes lounge. Glass is very dirty and few spots with direct access to outer window panes.

WHAT	Runway and taxiway view. Limited ramp view.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	All amenities within the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	150mm for A350 on runway, less for aircraft taxiing in