The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU/FIMP) is situated 35 km south(east) of the Capital Port Louis which means a 45 minutes ride by car. It was opened back in 1942 during the 2nd world war by the Royal Air Force as a military Air Base and today the SSR airport is the biggest Airport on the African Island and is the main hub for the national carrier Air Mauritius. The airport was named after the famous independence fighter Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam back in 1987.

3,9 million passengers traveled through MRU in 2019, so it’s the gateway to the world or to Mauritius. The airport is the major hub for Air Mauritius but other carriers from other island states like Air Seychelles, Air Madagascar and Air Austral are frequent visitors too. There are also many charter flights from European countries and carriers like Air France, British Airways, Condor, LOT, TUI and many more can be spotted as well.

Written by Severin Hackenberger, Gerrit Griem, Felix S and Michael Hoffmann. Last change: May 2023 (Spot 7 added)

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Airport Information
Runways
14/32	3.040m x 45m (tarmac)
Terminals
Terminal 1	Most of the smaller aircraft like the B737, the A319/320 or the ATR’s are using this terminal – for example by UU, MK and HM shorthaul.
Terminal 2	This one is used by big aircraft like the B747, B767, B777 or the A380, A330, A340 – for example by BA, AF, EK, DE, TK, EW, and so on.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary at the mentioned locations.
Car/Public Transport	Car is recommended as locations are far apart and switching runway will take very long otherwise. The public transport around SSR Airport is very poor.
Restrooms	Some gas stations and supermarkets around the airport. Restrooms are also available inside the terminal buildings.
Drinks/Food	Around the airport are a few supermarkets and restaurants.
Hotels	There are just a few motels/hotels around the airport (like the Holiday Inn or the Shandrani where the crews are sleeping during their stay).
Season	We not recommend visiting the airport between January and March, because in this time it’s very rainy and there can be extreme weather conditions (like cyclops). The main traveltime is from November till April, so you’ll see more holidayjets than in the time from May till October.
Runway Usage
14/32	Used in all directions – 14 Usage is more common.

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	Spot #1 – Field – Departures on RWY14 and Arrivals on RWY32
WHERE	If you start at the new terminal follow the main street into north western direction. Just after you passed the gate you have to exit the roundabound at the second exit. Exit the first roundabout at the 2nd exit and follow the road for another 400m, then exit the next roundabout at the first exit. Follow the A10 for about 500m, then exit the street to the right (where you should see the runwaylights). Park your car nearby and choose your position, this depends on the angle you like the most.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 14 and departures on runway 32.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from February till November due to lightning. In these months from sunrise till 1-4pm (depends on the month). In December and January you’ll have backlit here almost the whole day!
MISC.	There is a gas station and a supermarket nearby (marked on the map) where you can find restrooms and something to eat. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	70 – 300mm A340 = 130mm

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	Spot #2 – Farmerpath – Arrivals on RWY14
WHERE	If you start at the new terminal follow the main street into north western direction. Just after you passed the gate you have to exit the roundabound at the second exit. Exit the first roundabout at the 2nd exit and follow the road for another 400m, then exit the next roundabout at the first exit. Follow the A10 for about 750m, then exit the roundabout at the 2nd exit and follow this road for about 250m, where you cross a little river. Then park your car nearby and go onto the field which is located on a little hill.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 14 and aircraft taxiing to the end of runway 14 before departure.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from August till May due to lightning. In the following months (August, September, October, November, February, March, Aoril and May) from 1-5pm (depends on the month) till sunset. In December and January you’ll have light here almost the whole day!
MISC.	There is a gas station and a supermarket nearby (marked on the map) where you can find restrooms and something to eat. No ladder needed. Watch out for the fueltrucks which are refueling their tanks in the morning at the river – don’t block their parking area.
FOCAL LENGTH	50 – 300mm

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	Spot #3 – La Cambus Track – Departures on RWY32
WHERE	If you start at the new terminal follow the main street into north western direction. Just after you passed the gate you have to exit the roundabound at the first exit. Follow this street for about 750m and then exit the roundabout (infront of the Holiday Inn) at the first exit. After about 2km you’ll have to turn right, so exit the roundabout at its first exit. Follow this street for about 900m then turn left (into “Beachcomber Shandrani” direction). After 400m you should see some buildings on your left, turn right into a little path named “La Cambus Track”. Park your car at the roadside and wait for the departing planes.
WHAT	Departures on runway 32.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from August till May due to lightning. In the following months (August, September, October, November, February, March, Aoril and May) from 1-5pm (depends on the month) till sunset.In December and January you’ll have light here almost the whole day!
MISC.	Far away is a gas station and a supermarket (marked on the map) where you can find restrooms and something to eat. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	100 – 400mm

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	Spot #4 – Roundabout – Mound – Departures and Arrivals on RWY14
WHERE	If you start at the new terminal follow the main street into north western direction. Just after you passed the gate you have to exit the roundabount at the second exit. Exit the next roundabout at the 1st exit and follow the “To La Grotte” Road for about 300m until you get to a roundabout, where you can park your car.
WHAT	At the roundabout you can take pictures of 14 arrivals and 14 departures using the whole runway. Walk a bit eastwards to the mound and you can get 14 line-ups (be aware of heat distortion during midday), departures and arrivals.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from August till May due to lightning. In the following months (August, September, October, November, February, March, Aoril and May) from 1-5pm (depends on the month) till sunset. In December and January you’ll have light here almost the whole day!
MISC.	There is a gas station and a supermarket neraby where you can find restrooms and something to eat.
FOCAL LENGTH	18 – 200mm

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	Spot #5 – A10 – 14 arrivals/departures
WHERE	If you start at the new terminal follow the main street into north western direction. Just after you passed the gate you have to exit the roundabound at the second exit. Exit the first roundabout at the 2nd exit and follow the road for another 400m, then exit the next roundabout at the second exit and continue on the A10 until it makes a slight left turn. Park your car somewhere here at the side of the road. For the arrivals walk a few meters back along the road to the fields and find your prefered position. For the departures go to the perimeter fence and walk along the farm road until you see a small rock mound to your left where you can climb up to photograph over the fence.
WHAT	Arrivals and departures on runway 14.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from August till May due to lightning. In the following months (August, September, October, November, February, March, Aoril and May) from 1-5pm (depends on the month) till sunset.In December and January you’ll have light here almost the whole day!
MISC.	Far away is a gas station and a supermarket (marked on the map) where you can find restrooms and something to eat. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	Air Mauritius on runway A340 = 100mm; A380 = 80mm arrival 77W = 80mm; BD700 = 180mm; A320 = 150mm

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	Spot #6 – Field Road – All movements
WHERE	See decritption above for #5 but continue for approximate 300 meters eastwards until you find a new rock mound to your left. Climb up there to photograph over the fence.
WHAT	You are almost in the middle of the runway and can photograph all movements. We just tested 14 but 32 should be no problem at all. Furthermore you can photograph the taxiway.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from August till May due to lightning. In the following months (August, September, October, November, February, March, Aoril and May) from 1-5pm (depends on the month) till sunset.In December and January you’ll have light here almost the whole day!
MISC.	Nothing nearby. No ladder needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	A343 = 90mm; ATR72 = 210mm 738 taxiway = 380mm

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	Spot #7 – Blue Bay Link Road – 32 arrivals and 14 departures
WHERE	At the A10 there is roundabout next to a big shopping mall. From here drive southwards on the Blue Bay Link Road for approximate 1,5km. When you can see the 32 threshold turn right into a small dirt road and park the car. Now you can walk back to the main road and start spotting from the roadside.
WHAT	You can photograph 32 arrivals as well as 14 heavy departures.
TIME	The times of light/backlit are very difficult to discribe here, because the sun climbs to southern and nothern side! February till November from northern side – in December and January from southern side. That’s why this position is only usable from February till November due to lightning. In these months from sunrise till 1-4pm (depends on the month). In December and January you’ll have backlit here almost the whole day!
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Closest facilities are at the mall.
FOCAL LENGTH	A343 = 160mm

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