Dresden Airport (DRS/EDDC), formerly known in German as Flughafen Dresden-Klotzsche, is the International airport of Dresden, the capital of the German Free State of Saxony. The airport is located north of the city centre, 9km away. It was opened to commercial traffic on 11 July 1935. The airport features flights to some European metropolitan and several leisure destinations. In 2019 the airport handled 1,60 Million Passengers.
Dresden Airport handles airlines like Eurowings, Lufthansa, LaudaMotion, Ryanair, Swiss, KLM, Aeroflot and seasonal Corendon, Freebird and Bulgarian Air Charter. SundAir has a base at Dresden with currently two Airbus A320. Dresden Airport is home Elbeflugzeugwerke (EFW), a business unit of EADS/Airbus mainly responsible for freighter aircraft conversion of A330. Since Summer 2013 EADS/EFW began with maintenance duties for several airlines, for example Finnair A330, Brussels Airlines A330, Hifly, Qantas and Air France A380 and some more airlines. In 2021 a cooperation between the EFW and the German Military has started. NH90 helicopter are coming now regulary for maintenance. From 2022 Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and British Airways will come first time with thier A380 for maintenance and cabin modifications, if this airlines continue with Airbus 380 operations.
Written by Martin Rogosz (Local). Last Updated September 2021
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Airport Information
Runways
04/22
2850m × 60m Asphalt
Terminals
One for all civil flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder
Sometimes 3 steps are necessary. See detailed description.
Car/Public Transport
Car is necessary, most of the spots can only be reached by car. Only Spot 1 on the terminal observation deck can be reached by S-Bahn from city center, there is a S-Bahn station at the airport.
Restrooms
Nothing available at the spots except inside the terminal for 1,2 and 9.
Drinks/Food
There are supermarkets around the airport. See map.
Hotels
There are no hotels directly at the airport.
Season
The best months to travel are during summer as there is not that much rain.
Runway Usage
04/22
Used in both directions, mostly RWY22 due to prevailing winds.
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Inside the terminal on the third level, reach with escelator’s behind the check-in area. Open 24hours.
WHAT
This spot is good for aircraft movements for both runway directions and the taxiway. It is behind glass.
TIME
Best light conditions are from Sunrise-14:30
MISC.
There are facilities inside the terminal
FOCAL LENGTH
18-300mm
Spot #2 – Apron View
WHERE
Outside of the terminal, with view to the apron. When you get out of the terminal turn left. You will then see the windows on the side there and you’ve got the Apron view.
WHAT
This spot is good for aircraft movements to the Gates 31-35, but it is behind glass.
TIME
All day, but depenting on the aircraft angle and position
MISC.
The next facilities are in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH
18-150mm
Spot #3 – Approach Morning RWY04
WHERE
On sidewalk of Hermann-Reichel-Straße [97], when you coming from the Terminal drive until the highway entrance and make a U-Turn, park your car on next small driveway on right side and walk the 300m under the approach to small area with trees.
WHAT
This spot is on approach to RWY04, ladder not necessary.
TIME
Best light conditions are from Sunrise-14:30
MISC.
The next facilities are in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH
150-400mm
Spot #4 – Approach Evening RWY04
WHERE
Small street in front of the highway exit (coming from Dresden city center). There is a small road along the perimeter. Just park your next to the spot.
WHAT
This spot is on approach to RWY04, ladder not necessary.
TIME
Best light conditions are from 15:30 – Sunset
MISC.
Bring with you what you need, no toilets, no food, no drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH
150-400mm
Spot #5 – Line up and Approach RWY04
WHERE
Same way to Spot #4. Park your car there and walk from this position next to the fence until you can see the runway.
WHAT
This spot is on line up and also approach to RWY04, a ladder is necessary.
TIME
Best light conditions for line up from around 14:00 to sunset, Approach from 15:30 to sunset
MISC.
The next facilities are in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH
80-200mm
Spot #6 – Line up and Approach RWY22 Evening
WHERE
There are two ways:
1) Starting at the airport turn left to the “Grenzstraße” until the end, then turn left and leave Dresden in the direction to Weixdorf. Pass the “Total” petrol station turn the third street left at “Küchenstudio” and drive the street until you can see a big field on the right side and turn the left on the street “Schelsberg” and drive until the fence, you can park at the fence. Now you have to walk down the fence until you like the view on Taxiway/Line up RWY22.
2) Drive the highway 13 to Berlin until highway exit No.22 “Marsdorf” and turn right. Drive the down street (long way) until you are crossing the other highway 4 to Bautzen and turn directly behind the bridge right on a small street until you can see the fence.
WHAT
This spot is on approach and line up to RWY22, a ladder is necessary.
TIME
Best light conditions are from 15:30 to sunset
MISC.
The next facilities are in the terminal or at the patrol station and “Kaufland” in Weixdorf.
FOCAL LENGTH
80-250mm
Spot #7 – Line up and Arrivals RWY22 Morning
WHERE
Turn left from the airport on the street “Grenzstraße” until the end, then turn left and leave Dresden in the direction to Weixdorf. Behind the petrol station turn the third street left at “Küchenstudio” and drive straight on the street until you can see a big field on the right side und turn the left on the street “Schelsberg” and then turn left just next to the car center. Follow the road until the end where you will find the perimeter fence. Walk along the fence to find your prefered position.
WHAT
This spot is on line up to RWY22 and arrivals. A ladder is necessary.
TIME
Best light conditions are from Sunrise to 15:30
MISC.
The next facilities are in the terminal or at the patrol station and “Kaufland” in Weixdorf.
FOCAL LENGTH
80-250mm
Spot #8 – Approach RWY22 Morning
WHERE
Turn left from the airport on the Street “Grenzstraße” until the end, then turn left and leave Dresden in the direction to Weixdorf. Behind the petrol station turn the third street left at “Küchenstudio” and drive the street until you can see the approaching lights of the runway.
WHAT
This spot is on aproach to RWY22, ladder is not necessary
TIME
Best light conditions are from Sunrise-15:30
MISC.
The next facilities are in the terminal or at the patrol station and “Kaufland” in Weixdorf.
The spot is next to the road at the end of the road “Zum Windkanal”. You can reach it when driving from the terminal in North/Eastern direct on “Grenzstraße” and turn left on “Zum Kraftwerk” follow the street and turn at the following intersection left on “Zur Wetterwarte” and directly next street right and follow to the end. Shortly before reaching it will be to a One-Way street.
WHAT
Activities on taxiway H. Shooting is through the fence.
Thanks for the information. I haven’t been to Dresden Airport for a long time. Unfortunately I don’t see any descriptions or photos of the spotter point 10. Does this point still exist or is it accessible?
Is it possible to see or even photograph the IL-14 displayed here?
That’s not possible. It is private property and there is a security gate. Even the IL-14 is blocked by a fighter jet.
Photos can be found here 🙂
https://www.spotterguide.net/aviation-out-of-service-preserved-aircraft-storage-airports-and-museums/
-Julian
Thank you Julian.
Thanks for the information. I haven’t been to Dresden Airport for a long time. Unfortunately I don’t see any descriptions or photos of the spotter point 10. Does this point still exist or is it accessible?