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October 3, 2021Guatemala La Aurora Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
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- last modified on September 23, 2021
La Aurora International Airport (GUA/MGGT) is an international airport that serves the capital of Guatemala, Guatemala City. It is the fourth busiest airport in Central America and before Covid crysis it was growing quickly: In 2019 it recorded 3 milion passengers. The airport is located in the middle of the city and it is a very nice destination for spotters because of the variaty of movements it has. This airport has airlines, cargo airlines, military and general aviation. The elevation of the airport is 4951 feet above sea level and it has only one runway and one terminal, which makes spotting quite easy.
The airport was built in 1923, but during last years a lot of modifications have been done. The first terminal was constructed in the 1940s in the east side of the airport and now it is part of the Guatemala Air Force area. Then in the 1960s a new terminal was constrcuted with 8 gates on the west side of the airport. In the years 2005/2006 the terminal was expanded and now has 19 gates.
Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Juan Manuel Galvez Vassaux and Davide Calabresi. Last Update: August 2021
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02/20 | 2987 m – Asphalt |
| Terminals | There is only one terminal, all airlines operate this terminal thus. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Only needed at spot 3. Otherwise not recommeded. |
| Car/Public Transport | A car is needed to reach all spotting locations or you can go by taxi or uber. But a personal vehicle you can hide/be safe in is better. |
| Drinks/Food | You need to bring food and drinks on all spotting aereas except spot #6. That’s a restaurant, so you need to support them when spotting and cannot bring own food. |
| Hotels | The airport is in the middle of the city, so you will have lots of hotels or airbnbs nearby. One of the best places to stay is the Hotel Las Americas = Spot 1. |
| Season | You can spot the whole year, but best time to spot will be from November to March, summer you can have lots of haze and rain. |
| Security | You will require an ID on spot 2 and 5, but better always have an ID with you. At spot 3 and 6 you will need to be careful with robberies as these locations are in the public. Keep a low profile there with your equipment and always try to be with a group of persons when going there. Otherwise spotting is tolerated here and no problem. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 02/20 | The runway is used for arrivals and departures in both directions, but around 75% of the year runway 02 is being used. |
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Spot #1 – Hotel Las Americas – All airport movements |
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| WHERE | The spotting location is on higher floors (from 6 floor to rooftop) of 4 star hotel “Las Americas”. You must book a room and ask a room with view on the runway side, unfortunately windows cannot be opened but glasses are clean and very large. You can try to ask to access to the rooftop (the door is locked) because there you don’t have any glasses and you have a complete view over the airport. |
| WHAT | This spot is ideal for most ramp and all runway movements: takeoffs and landings on 02/20. |
| TIME | Sunrise till noon. |
| MISC. | In the aisles and around the hotel there are a lot of CCTVs, so is better to inform reception you want to take some photos of airplanes. As a guest of the hotel you have access to food and drinks in the hotel bar or restaurant, so everything nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-500mm B763 = 200mm / B737 = 250mm / E190 = 300mm |
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Spot #2 – Private Hangars – All runway + nearby taxiway movements |
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| WHERE | These are private hangers, but you will need permission to enter these. The hangar owners know the local community, so local spotters can grant you access, but they will also need at least 24 hours in advance to get permissions. So this spot is only available for local spotters and their guest, so you need to contact these in advance. Once you are in, you can choose between these two hangars here:
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| WHAT | You will see movements on the runway and west and east taxiways. |
| TIME | Sunrise to noon. |
| MISC. | There is a small cafeteria where there is a restroom and they sell you breakfast and lunch from monday to saturday. You will need a reflecting/high-visible vest here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200mm |
Aeronaves – North:
Aeromedical – South:
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Spot #3 – Private Parking Lot – 02 movements + nearby taxiway |
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| WHERE | This is a private parking lot at the end of “Calle 25” where they usually grant access to everybody. If you come by car you will need to park outside of the parking lot and then just walk in (but obviously speak to the staff and tell them what you wanna do). If the parking lot is closed you will need a ladder to spot from the outside of the parking lot. |
| WHAT | Runway 02 and taxiway. |
| TIME | Sunrise to noon |
| MISC. | You will need to take food and drinks and there is no restroom nearby. Ladder needed in order to see the taxiway. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 55-200mm B738 = 70mm |
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Spot #4 – Santa Fe – 02 movements |
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| WHERE | This is a public space in a residential area southwest of the airport just by the roadside of “Calle 26”. The best way to get here is by car, where you can sit in while you wait for the next movement as this area is a bit rough. |
| WHAT | Best for landings and takeoff from runway 02. |
| TIME | Noon till sunset. |
| MISC. | You will need to bring food and water, no restrooms, no problem with police. Best to spot in a group and keep a low profile. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 55-300mm A320 = 85mm |
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Spot #5 – Aeroclub de Guatemala Restaurant – All runway movements |
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| WHERE | The spot is only available for members and their guests, as this is a private club. Local spotters can get permissions, but they will need at least 24 hours in advance to notice the owners. The spot itself is outside on a terrace with a fantastic view of the runway and aprons. You will need a car, taxi or uber to get here – there is also public transportation to the spot, but it is not recommended. |
| WHAT | All runway and taxiway movements. |
| TIME | Noon till sunset. |
| MISC. | This is a restaurant, so you will have access to food, drinks and restaurant. If you use the spot, support the restaurant and order something! Behave appropiate! Official website |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-200mm B727 = 55mm / A320 = 62mm |
Photo of the location
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Spot #6 – Boulevard Juan Pablo II – Terminal ramp + 20 movements |
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| WHERE | This spot is literally just on the side walk by “Boulevard Juan Pablo II”‘s roadside. There is public transportation, but it is not recommended to use. Best thing to do is to park the car on the airport parking lot, the costs will be around $2.50 for the day, and walk around 600 meters to the fence here with spotting holes that the airport created. |
| WHAT | Terminal ramp and runway 20 movements. |
| TIME | Noon till sunset. |
| MISC. | You will have to bring food and water, no restrooms as there is nothing directly here. Closest facility is the terminal. As this is a public space, it is best to spot in group. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-250mm A320 = 55mm |
| Airport Spotting Day – Runway + Taxiway + Terminal/Air Force Ramp | |
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| WHERE | Annual event, only available one day of the year with organization of the Guatemalan authorities. The event is organized on the last saturday or sunday of November and lasts from 6 to 18 o’clock. Check out the airports social media channels for more infos. |
| WHAT | All airport movements as you will move on the ramp: ramps (terminal and military), taxiways and runway. |
| TIME | Normally organized from morning till afternoon so almost all day. You will stand on the grass meadow between terminal ramp and runway, so mornings will lit the terminal and in the afternoon the runway and air force ramp will have nice light. |
| MISC. | You need to register in advance in order to be able to spot the whole day on the apron. You will be allowed to bring water with you. Airport transportation will leave you in the spotting area. In the middle of the spotting day airport transportation will go and pick you up and they will take you to a cafeteria where you can use restrooms and eat something. You will need a reflective/high-visible vest for this day. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
| Air Force Days – Runway + Terminal/Air Force Ramp | |
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| WHERE | Only available on the anual Air Show organized by the Guatemala Air Force. Best thing to do is to go early by car so you can get a spot inside the airport parking. Parking fee is usually around $2.50 and event entry is around $5.00. But obviously you can also go by public transportation or taxi/uber. The event is usually the first saturday or sunday of December. |
| WHAT | Military movements but as you are on the ramp, you can also shoot the other airport movements plus the air show above your heads. |
| TIME | Normally organized from morning till afternoon (17 o’clock) as well. |
| MISC. | Open to public and day tickets are available, so no connections or similar needed to get in. There will be portable restrooms and plenty options where you can buy food and drinks. There will be a lot of people in the event, be aware of that. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
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