Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées Airport – Spotting Guide

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Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées Airport – Spotting Guide

Published by Jeremy at June 23, 2018 - last modified on November 13, 2018

TLP is a regional airport of south west of France, surrounded by French Pyrénées. It is close to Spain, Andorra and French Pays Basque (Biarritz, Bayonne … ). In 2017, around 440.000 passengers have travelled from/to this airport. It’s an airport worth visiting, because of his charter Traffic ( between april and october ) due to the famous pilgrimage of Lourdes, known worldwide; as well as for his storing and dismantling area, by Tarmac Aerosave company, who receive aircrafts from all around the world (Boeing 747-400, Airbus A380 etc… ).

TLP airport welcomes small bizjets, Operational Air Traffic ( military aircraft like Airbus A400M, CN225, military shoppers, tankers KC135, AWACS…) because of military airfields around, LFBM ( Mont de Marsan Air Force Base ) and LFPB ( Pau airport with his parachutist regiment ) ; Test Flight Traffic from Airbus industry ( Airbus A350, Airbus A340-300, Airbus A321ULR …) due to the proximity of LFBO Toulouse Blagnac airport ; and General Air Traffic with short-medium and long haul flights ( Fokker 100 / Boeing 737-400 / Airbus 340-300 / Boeing 767-300, MD82 … ). Regular airlines serving TLP airport are Ryanair, Hop, and Albastar, and during high season, many charters flights like TUI fly, Enter Air, Ernest, Titan Airways, Air Tahiti Nui, Helvetic, Bulgarian Air Charter and others…

Written by Alexandre Gabdou (Last update June 2018)


Rating	Movements		Visitor Rating How was your spotting trip? Rate this airport now. (No Ratings Yet) Loading...
	Airline Variety
	Photo Locations
	Weather

Airport Information	Runways	02/20	3.000m (9’842.5 ft)	Concrete

	Terminal	1
		All flights

Spotting Information	Ladder	Needed in some locations
	Car	Recommended
	Restrooms	At the airport, otherwise there is a big mall 5 min drive from the airport (Meridien mall)
	Drinks/Food	At the airport, Ossun village or at Meridien mall
	Hotels	Not in the vicinity of the airport, but you can find hotels at Adé ( 5 min drive ) and Tarbes ( 5 min drive as well ) ; Camping site La bergerie
	Season	Every day during high season, especially before holidays ( Easter , Whit Monday .. )

Runway Usage	02/20	Runway 20 used most of the time for landing, as mountains are closed ; runway 02 used for take off most of the time as well. ( sometimes, depending on weather conditions, you can see take off from runway 20, or private light aircraft ( Socata TBM ) can take off from 02. )

	Spot #1 – Highway Exit
WHERE	Follow the sign « airport » when you are on N21 road, at the roundabout, take the 1st exit, and you can park your car on the right hand side. There is a surface (around 75m) where you can park. You can stay there to shot or move around this position, it’s up to you.

WHAT	In the morning, landing on RWY2.

TIME	From early morning till 1 or 2 o’clock.

MISC.	Nothing around here, bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm

	Spot #2 – RWY 20 threshold
WHERE	When you exit N21, at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit, you will see a path 50m after on your right. Follow this path until the end, you will have a fence in front of you, you can park there and walk around to find the best shooting location for you.

WHAT	In the morning, landing RWY20 and some heavy take off from RWY0.

TIME	From early morning until 1 o’clock.

MISC.	Nothing there, bring your stuff. Ladder may be needed if you want to shot over the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #3 -Line up RWY02, Departure RWY 02, Taxi , Arrival RWY20 & Stored Aircraft
WHERE	From spot 2, take your car and turn right at the stop sign, next roundabout, take the 1st exit, go staight, at the end of the road, turn left and follow D516 until the next roundabout. Then take the 1st exit, on D921A, next roundabout straight, you will see storage aircrafts on your right, continue and you will see a parking lot with a small path. You can go there by walk or by car. Stored Aircraft : From airport terminal, take D516, continue straight until the roundabout, then take the first exit D921A, Drive until the next roundabout, then take the first exit, you will see stored aircrafts just in front of you, you can park your car close to the fence, or on the car park located in your right

WHAT	From here, you will see line up to RWY02, and taxiway to terminal or for take-off ( C and D ).

TIME	Morning until 1 or 2 o’clock.

MISC.	Nothing there, bring your food and drink. Parts of aircraft are cutted off if lawn is not mowed.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm and 18-55mm for stored aicraft.

	Spot #4 – Arrivals and departures
WHERE	Take your car and continue on D921A until next roundabout, then take the 1st exit on D16, and follow the road bypassing the runaway. When you drive, you will see a small path on the right, take it and there is an intersection ( with a cross on the left corner ). At this point, turn right on the path and go straight to the fence, you can park there. Ladder needed or spot above the roof of your car.

WHAT	Arrivals and departures, this spot is located approx at the middle of the runaway ; as well, you can see storage aircrafts just ahead, or on your left, you can see Tarmac Aerosave storage and recycling company, with many aircrafts ( A350 to B747 ).

TIME	Afternoon, after 3 o’clock until sunset. Parts of aircraft are cutted off if lawn is not mowed.

MISC.	Still nothing there, bring your food and drink.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #5 – Tarmac Aerosave storage
WHERE	Get back and turn right at the intersection ( you will have the cross in front of you ), follow the path until the fence where you will see many aircrafts stored here. Walk up and down along the perimeter.

WHAT	Storage aircraft only.

TIME	Afternoon.

MISC.	Nothing there, bring your stuff. Ladder recommend.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-55mm / 70-300mm