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Erfurt/Weimar Airport – Spotting Guide

May 6, 2020 - last modified on November 20, 2023

Airport Erfurt-Weimar (ERF/EDDE) is located in Thuringia, Germany and was built 5km west of Erfurt city center. The airport was built in 1935 and was used by German Luftwaffe. After Word War II the Soviet Air Force used it for around eleven years. Since 1956 till German reunification Deutsche Lufthansa (East Germany and later Interflug) used this airport.

In mid 1990s till early 2000s the airport was modernized, for example a new Terminal was build and is in use till today. Hahn Airport based MRO “Haitec” opened a branch in 2014, which brings several nice visitors a year for maintenance (Gazpromavia B737 e.g.). In 2018 Airport Erfurt-Weimar served 262.530 pax. There are a handful of daily charter flights taking place, mainly to Turkey and Spain opb. Corendon, Tailwind and Eurowings. A common sight at the airport are also Businessjets, GAT and Helicopters.

All in all Erfurt-Weimar airport serves roughly 263.000 passenger per year and 3.724 tons of freight.

Written by Severin Hackenberger and Norman Darmenius – thanks to Paul Buchröder for providing many example pictures. Last update: April 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	2,600m x 50m , Asphalt
Terminals	The airport has two terminals: a main and bogger one for normal passenger traffic and in addition a Business terminal.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed but we recommend a ladder for spots 2 and 5.
Car/Public Transport	Airport is reachble via tram line 4 (direction “Bindersleben”) from the city. Car is preferred to reach all locations, especially for all spots on the other side of Erfurt airport.
Restrooms	Restrooms are located in Terminal B on both levels.
Drinks/Food	Airport provides a Bistro called “AirBistro”. It’s open every day between 10am and 5pm. Additional opening hours are two hours before a flight departs. There is a supermarket (Netto) located south of the airport, Orionstraße 1.
Hotels	Nearest Hotel is “Airport Hotel” from Bachmann Hotels. It’s about three or five minutes from Terminal B.
Season	There is no bad season, but due to lack of good traffic I would not recommend winter season.
Runway Usage
General	Used in both directions. The prefered runway Usage is 28.

	Spot #1 – Schwedenschanze – Arrivals Runway 28
WHERE	Turn from “Binderslebener Landstrasse” into “Pfortenweg” (and later “Sonnenleite”) and follow it till end. Turn left and follow the lane till next crossing. Turn left again and drive till you see a small park bay.

WHAT	You can see runway 28 arrivals.

TIME	Depends on your favorite angle, but this spot is all day.

MISC.	No ladder needed. Nothing nearby except parking spots.

FOCAL LENGTH	15 – 135mm – depending on your position

	Spot #2 – Sportplatz – Arrivals and Departures 10/28 and Taxiway Sierra
WHERE	Turn from “Binderslebener Landstrasse” to the north into an unnamed street and follow the road (including a left turn after a “forest” on your left) till you see the airport fence. Park your car on the right in the parking area and search your faovurite position along the fence.

WHAT	You can see runway 10/28 arrivals and departures via Taxiway Sierra.

TIME	In winter all day in summer late morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Ladder recommended, but not needed. The house airside might disturb a bit sometimes.

FOCAL LENGTH	30 – 250mm A320 on runway = 145mm / B738 lineup = 60mm

	Spot #3 – Schenker – Arrivals and Departures 10/28 and Taxiway Sierra
WHERE	Behind the “Airport Hotel Erfurt” you can leave your car for a short while in the “Flughafenstrasse”, which is best to be accessed form the terminal driveway form the west. Once you ended up at the parking then, search your favourite position between them at the small fenceparts – depending on what/where you wanna shot you may vary between the several ones useable there.

WHAT	You can see runway 10/28 arrivals and departures via Taxiway Sierra.

TIME	In winter all day in summer late morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Ladder useful. Heat haze is visible when windless. All you need can be found inside the nearby terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	80 – 200mm B738 on taxiway = 125mm

	Spot #4 – Terrace – Apron Overview
WHERE	Located inside the old Terminal so drive towards airport and get rid of your car there. Then there are two options: Option 1: Pass a metal gate (normally opened) right of the Business terminal, go through the side door on the left, then turn right again and take the stairs to the first floor up to the terrace. Option 2: Go into the main terminal on the west site, take the stairs up to the first floor and then walk thru the glass walk, which leaves the building in the northeastern corner. This walkway will lead you to the terrace…

WHAT	You can see all traffic from Apron to the first gate (Position 51) and some smaller props on Apron 2. This spot is also great in the night to take some night shots.

TIME	In winter all day in summer late morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Sitting accommodations are available at this spot. Also whole terrace is smoking area. All you need can be found inside the nearby terminal. Heat haze can become a problem in summer – especially on hot days.

FOCAL LENGTH	50 – 400mm CASA on runway = 305mm / A320 taxiway = 115mm

: Option 1 – entrance on the right side

: Option 2 – Walkway to the terrace from the main terminal

: The terrace itsself

	Spot #5 – Car Park – Arrivals and Departures 10/28 + Taxiway Sierra + Position 62 (Freighter) + IL18
WHERE	Drive to the Airport and use right lane to reach the car park. Use the elevator or stairs to get to the last level where you have the best view from along the northern front.

WHAT	View over Terminal and Tower. Also view on Position 62 (used for freighter) and traffic on Sierra. With enough focal length you can take photos of landing aircrafts on runway 28. You are also able to spot the IL18 from here roughly like attached below anc can also make some night shots.

TIME	In winter all day in summer late morning till evening.

MISC.	A high ladder is needed to clear the fence. Otherwise you can shot through the windows within the stairwell. All you need can be found inside the nearby terminal. Heat haze might become a problem in summer – especially on hot days for runway shots.

FOCAL LENGTH	100 – 400mm B757 on runway = 165mm / B737 on apron = 140mm

View on the carpark’s top floor:

	Spot #6 – Arrival and Departure runway 10/28
WHERE	Leave the airport and turn right into “Flughafenstrasse”. Drive through Bindersleben till you see the junction with “Alacher Chausee”. Turn right onto “Alacher Chausee” and drive it to the end, where you can leave your car by the roadside and shoot along the fence.

WHAT	You can see runway 10 arrivals and 28 departures. Only ground-to-air shots possible.

TIME	In winter all day in summer late morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Nothing nearby here

FOCAL LENGTH	70 – 250mm B738 = 205mm

	Spot #7 – Forest – Arrivals 10 and Departures 28
WHERE	Turn off “Neue Alacher Chaussee” onto an unnamed farmerpath to the southwest which is surrounded by trees. Follow this path till it makes a turn in front of a forest. Example pictures were taken from right there, but you can choose your favourite spot around here.

WHAT	You can see runway 10 arrivals and 28 departures. Only skyshots/ground-to-air shots possible.

TIME	In winter all day in summer late morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Nothing needed and nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm B737 = 285mm

	Spot #8 – Field – Arrivals runway 10
WHERE	Leave the airport and turn right into “Flughafenstrasse”. Drive through Bindersleben till you see crossing “Neue Alacher Chausee”. Turn right into “Neue Alacher Chausee” and till you see Alach. Turn left after town sign and follow the lane till you reach kinda empty paved area on your left, where you can park on the side.

WHAT	You can see runway 10 arrivals.

TIME	Depends on your favorite angle, but this spot is all day.

MISC.	Be aware of agricultural traffic, do not block them with your car

FOCAL LENGTH	15 – 135mm BAe 146 = 125mm

	Spot #9 – Threshold runway 10
WHERE	Leave the airport and turn right into “Flughafenstrasse”. Drive through Bindersleben till you see crossing “Neue Alacher Chausee”. Turn right into “Neue Alacher Chausee” and drive through Alach till you see a Bus stop. Turn right before this bus stop and follow the lane till first crossing. Turn right and follow the path till fence, where you can leave your car by the roadside and shoot along the fence.

WHAT	You can see runway 10 arrival.

TIME	Only useable in summer. From sunrise till early morning and later on from early evening till sunset.

MISC.	Be gentle on this way, there is a kindergarten and a play ground. Also joggers and dog lovers may cross your path. Federal Police might ask you what you do. Only use your ladder when needed.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm BAe 146 = 145mm / B738 = 120mm

	Spot #10 – Weather Station
WHERE	Leave the airport and turn right into “Flughafenstrasse”. Drive through Bindersleben till you see crossing “Neue Alacher Chausee”. Turn right into “Neue Alacher Chausee” and drive through Alach till you see a Bus stop. Turn right before this bus stop and follow the lane till second crossing. Turn right and follow the path till another crossing. Turn left till you reach a gate, where you shouldn’t leave your car in front of, but where onne can shoot along the fence.

WHAT	You can see runway 10 arrivals and 28 departures.

TIME	Only useable in summer. From sunrise till early morning and later on from early evening till sunset.

MISC.	Be gentle on this way, there is a kindergarten and a play ground. Also joggers and dog lovers may cross your path. Federal Police might ask you what you do. Only use your ladder when needed. Do not park in front of this gate.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm BAe 146 = 150mm / B738 = 125mm