Graz Airport - Spotting Guide

Graz Airport – Spotting Guide

August 15, 2025 - last modified on August 6, 2025

Graz Airport (GRZ/LOWG) is a regional airport situated in Styria. Founded in 1913 and having the first take-off in 1914, it handled about 820.000 passengers in 2024. In the same year, as a celebration of the 110-year jubilee, its name and logo were changed from “Flughafen Graz” to “Graz Airport”.

In winter the airport is mostly used for connecting flights to Vienna, Frankfurt and Munich. In summer there are quite a lot of special holiday flights. The majority of airlines are Eurowings (mostly A319/A320) connecting to northern/southern Europe, Air Dolomiti/Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines. Almost all year round there are flights to Antalya operated by Sun Express ( and Pegasus.

Since Graz is home to SK Sturm Graz, a renowned football team playing in the Champions League, other teams often use charter flights to travel here for matches. The aircraft can range from Embraers to A330s. Every year, the week before and after the Austrian F1 Grand Prix Charter flights are needed to get the mechanics and the fans to Graz, since the Red Bull Ring is not very far from Graz. A few times per year, the US Army refuels some of their helicopters (mostly UH-60 or CH-47) in Graz. If you are lucky, you might get the chance to spot a Typhoon or Hercules (Austrian Air Force) doing a touch and go in Graz. There is usually a lot of general aviation. In addition, there is a spotter association called “Airportclub Graz”

Written by Leonardo Mariano (Follow him on Instagram). Last change: July 2025

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
16C/34C	3.000 m (9.843 ft) Asphalt
16R/34L	760 m (2.493 ft) Grass
16L/34R	640 m (2.100 ft) Grass
Terminals	One for all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed except on Spot #3 / optional on Spot #4
Car/Public Transport	A car is needed for most spots. There is a train (S5) connecting the airport to the inner city and a bus going to the outer city (Linie 630 to Graz-Puntigam)
Drinks/Food	There is a restaurant and a food store in the terminal. There is also a McDonalds near the airport
Hotels	The Amedia Express Graz Airport is near the terminal but there are no hotels for plane spotting.
Season	Most traffic is in summer especially around national holidays and the F1-race. Heat Haze can be a problem in summer.
Security	Usually no problems with security. Just carry an ID with you just in case it’s needed.
Runway Usage
16C/34C	Runway 34C is mainly used for arrival; 16C for departure. 16C is used for arrivals in certain conditions too. Usage can be changed depending on the weather. Small aircraft use 16C for landing often too.
16R/34L	mostly used in 16R direction; used mostly by Südflug and for skydiving
16L/34R	rarely used

	Spot #1 – Terrace/Terminal – Apron, Taxiway and Runway movements
WHERE	The terrace is right on top of the terminal is the most used spotting location. it is BEFORE security and open for the public. Just walk up the stairs next to the security check in the departure area. There will be signs saying “Terrasse”. Parking spaces are in front of the airport. Public transport: You can either take bus line 630 from Graz-Puntigam or the train S5 from Graz to Spielfeld-Straße.

WHAT	Runway, Taxiway and all Apron movements. Basically everything.

TIME	Best from sunrise until noon for taxiway and runway movements. Apron depends on the aircraft position. Heat haze is a problem in summer if you are shooting the runway movements. Especially on small aircraft.

MISC.	The terrace is open without a roof or glass. It gets hot on there in summer. It is always open except on some days in winter because of ice. There is no entry fee. Please do not use the restaurant`s terrace for spotting (its not liked very much).

FOCAL LENGTH	75 – 200 mm (400 for small aircraft)

	Spot #2 – Sackgasse – Arrivals 34C
WHERE	This spot is directly is south of the airport next to some farms/fields along “Sackgasse”. Its not an exact position so feel free to walk around this area on the farm roads for different angles. A car is necessary for this spot. The best way is to park your car next to a field (marked on map). Do not block the road or the fire gates! It’s recommended to not park there for too long.

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 34C. Departures on 16C are alredy high up in the air.

TIME	Its possible to spot here the whole day, expect around noon when the sun is over the runway axis.

MISC.	There are no food stores or restrooms available near the spot.

FOCAL LENGTH	75-150 mm

	Spot #3 – Airbase One – All movements
WHERE	This spot is at an old part of the airport which was used by the military. There are quite a lot of parking spaces at the “Jump25” which is directly at the spot. These parking spaces are private property but it’s okay to park there. There is no real spot there. It’s just along the fence for about 50m.

WHAT	All movements on 34C/L and 16C/R

TIME	Best time from afternoon until sunset. Be aware of heat distortion!

MISC.	Ladder is needed. There are no spotterholes along the fence. No food or public restrooms available nearby

FOCAL LENGTH	100-150 mm (200 for small aircraft)

	Spot #4 – Spotterhill – Departures/Arrivals 16C; Arrivals 16R
WHERE	There is a little hill next to somne hangars of the “Flugsportclub” directly at the airport fence. A car is needed for this spot. Park at the marked location close to the hangars. The parking space is private property but usually, it’s okay to park there. From there walk along the farm road until you reach the about one meter tall “spotterhill”.

WHAT	Best for departures and arrivals on runway 16C

TIME	Best time from afternoon until sunset. Be aware of heat distortion!

MISC.	The position is elevated so you should be able to spot without a ladder. No restrooms or food available nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-150 mm

No photos avaialbe.

	Spot #5 – Northern Apron – Aircraft parked at the northern fence
WHERE	The location is right at the northern apron and is about 5 minutes away from the terminal by foot. Just walk along the way that is marked on the map. If you go there by car, park at the marked spot next to the road. Do not park there for too long since it is directy next to the road. The spot is all along the fence from the garage to the other end of the fence (as shown on map).

WHAT	Aircraft parked on northern apron. Especially for the special position used for widebody aircraft (A330,767,747…). That position is going diagonally over the normal ones. The special position is rarely used.

TIME	Depends on the aircraft position but best time seems to be in the morning hours. Also a good option for night photography.

MISC.	Ladder is not needed since there are quite a few spotter holes along the fence. This spot is just another angle for parked aircraft.Restrooms and food are in the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	75-200