The airport of Memmingen (EDJA/FMM) city is located in the south-western part of Bavaria close to highway A7 and A96 connecting many big german citys. The airport is also called “Allgaeu airport” after the region where it is situated. Main airlines are Ryanair and Wizzair. The airport itself was build in 1936 and also used during World War II. After that the US Air Force used it for training flights from 1956 till 1959. From that point till 2003 it was used as a base for the German Air Force Fightbomber squadron with their F-104 starfighters. In 2003 it was opened as regional commercial airport hence you still see till today the old shelters and old buildings from the army.

The airport offers today flights to 50 destinations during summer 2019 making a total of 22508 movements at the airport. The airport can handle around 2 million passengers and is currently handling 1,5 million (2018). In mid 2019 the airport closed for weeks to build a new, wider runway and do other constructions.
The main operators are Ryanair and Wizzair. Ryanair is operating Memmingen as a base with 2 planes and over 60 people working here. Other airlines flying regularly are Pobeda, FlyEgypt and Corendon. You also have lot of GA traffic and business jets. Best is to visit the airport homepage to be updated when the best variety is arriving.

As bonus you find here two gateguards open to public, they are marked on the spotter map.

Written by Stefan Bratner (November 2019)

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Airport Information
Runways
06/24	2.981 m (9,777 ft)
Terminals	One for all pax flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A small 2-3 steps ladder is needed to get between the fence and the barbwire with the camera. Shooting through the fence is tricky. Some parts of the airport are secured just with a site fence which has wider poles to put the camera through. Might be easier. All approach shots possible without a ladder
Car/Public Transport	Car is needed as bus only arrives for the terminal in the north but spots for the runway are in the south and no public transport is there.
Restrooms	Inside the terminal only.
Drinks/Food	inside the terminal, the city of Memmingerberg and Memmingen is not far away with the car to have a lunch or dinner after spotting but better bring what you need for spotting session.
Hotels	There are several possiblitys around the airport and the close city
Season	All year round, in summer heat haze is a problem
Runway Usage
General Information
06/24	Runway used depending on the wind. If the wind is calm, pilots tend to use the shortest route so expect a couple of switches within a single day.

	Spot #1 – Terminal – Apron
WHERE	This spot is located at the right hand side of the terminal directly at the fence of the airport. You can park you car at the many parking lots and pay the fee or park it in the neighborhood of Schwabenstraße/Am Flughafen and look if there is free parkingspace available and walk around 600m to the terminal.
WHAT	Planes paked close to the fence and in front of the terminal
TIME	Only in the summer from afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	All you need inside the terminal. Ladder is recommend but shooting through the mesh is possible too.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm

No pictures available at the moment.

	Spot #2 – Am Flughafen – Apron 2 and Hangars
WHERE	This is spot is located at the apron with their hangars, at the street “Am Flughafen” opposite parking lot P2. You can park your car for a very short stay at the street even it’s officialy forbidden. For a longer stay better park it as described in spot 1.
WHAT	From here you can see planes parked and stored on the apron or getting ready for the next flight. These are mainly private jets and small props
TIME	In summer depending on the angle from early morning and then again late afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	All you need inside the terminal. Ladder is recommend but shooting through the mesh is possible too.
FOCAL LENGTH	40-250mm

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	Spot #3 – Horstraße – Holding Point RWY 06
WHERE	This spot is a street called “Horststraße” which leeds in a dead end and used for some companys and access to the airport. You can park your car at the roadside but be aware people passing by with 50km/h. Look for a good spot and also where you can shoot through the barbed wires.
WHAT	Airplanes departing RWY 06 and taxiing to the holding point.
TIME	During summer only from late afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	Ladder is recommended but shooting through the mesh is possible too.If the gras is not mowed or stuff is parked in front the view can be blocked.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm

No pictures available at the moment.

	Spot #4 – Approach RWY 06
WHERE	Not far from Spot 3 is a small road which passes the approach path of RWY 06. Park your car in the same street as above (“Horststraße”) as this street is bigger than the one where the spot located is. Do not block any traffic with parking on this small street!
WHAT	It’s surrounded by farmland and from here you also have a good view down the ILS of RWY 06. You can see the planes turning into final and passing over your head. Depending on the angle all kind of shots are possible. In general you can position yourself all along the road that leads around the approach.
TIME	All year round as you can walk with the sun and choose what you like.
MISC.	Nothing nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-400mm

No pictures available at the moment. Find a sample picture here

	Spot #5 – Shelters – Line Up/Approach RWY 06
WHERE	Located on a former part of the Air Base (shelters visible all around the airport) this street gives you access to the airport fence and locates you at the heigh of the line up. There is enough space to park you car and have a look onto terminal and approach path. You need a ladder to clear the fence.
WHAT	Arrivals and Departures on RWY 06, Departures from RWY 24 are too high already. As the arrivals are still in the air you can climb up a small hill a few meter backwards to clear the fence without a ladder but ground is not really possible (see sample here). The legacy jet below was taken with 1-2 steps from the hill.
TIME	Winter all day long. From 0800 till early afternoon for the runway in the summer.
MISC.	Since 2018 constructions are going on, please do not block work equipment. After rain the way from the street to the fence can be muddy and very slippery. Be careful and use older shoes.
FOCAL LENGTH	A320/B737: 150-180mm Cessna 210: 400mm

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	Spot #6 – GAT – Runway 06/24 and GAT Apron
WHERE	The spot is located on the opposite side of the terminal, next to the GAT and a BBQ Grill. To get there follow the signs to the airport but don´t drive to the terminals, instead exit the huge roundabout to the “industrial area” (just next to the displayed F104). Then drive straight ahead until you see the approach lights. From there follow the signs to “FlyIN Barbecue BBQ”. You pass the approach path, spot #5, some old hangars and after a few minutes you are on the opposite site of the terminal. Just park at the airport fence.
WHAT	At this position you get all movements of RWY 24/06. The mesh to the site fence is big enough for a DSLR lens. Furthermore you can photograph the parked aircraft on the genreal aviation ramp.
TIME	Winter all day long. From 0800 till early afternoon for the runway in the summer. GA-ramp from afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	The BBQ is not open every day so check the opening times on their homepage. They have a terrace where you can sit outside and watch the aircraft moving along.
FOCAL LENGTH	70mm for 737/A320 on the runway, for the GAT apron 150-400mm

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	Spot #7 – Farm Track – Landing RWY 24 and Backtrack
WHERE	This spot is not a single fixed location as you can choose your view along the airport fence. The spot is located at the end of RWY 24 and is only surrounded by farm land and many tracks and ways. To reach the spot you have to drive the MN16 which connects the Citys of Ungerhausen and Hawangen. In the middle between these small citys does a minor paved road start. You are not allowed to enter here but you can park in front. Driving further can lead to a fine of minimum 20€ but normally no one cares. Follow the street till the fence and look for what you like. As there are many small dirt roads you can also walk underneath the approach path or shoot planes in air. Be aware of joggers, bikers and farmers and do not block them. Don’t drive too fast when entering illegal and show a nice behaviour.
WHAT	Planes landing RWY 24 and doing backtracks on RWY 24
TIME	Winter all day long. From 0800 till early afternoon for the runway in the summer.
MISC.	Ladder needed for ground shots. Access with car not allowed, do it on your own risk and be careful for other people, farmers. Dirt roads are not maintained so big stones can lay in front of you and damage your car
FOCAL LENGTH	B737: 150mm

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	Spot #8 – Field – Landing/Departure RWY 24
WHERE	As with spot 7 this is located on a dirt road. From the terminal drive towards the city of Ungerhausen, you will pass the big roundabout (with the static F-104 starfighter) and then take the first exit. After around 550m you will leave the city and after another 1,85km you reach the dirt road on the right. Be careful when turning onto it as traffic behind you is not expecting you are slowing down or entering this road. Follow the road at your own risk (offical forbidden and can cost 20€) till the fence. Park your car but stay next to it in case a farmer needs space or police is checking you.
WHAT	Planes landing and departing RWY 24 and taxiing for backtrack. Ladder needed for ground shots and for arrivals you can walk a bit further east to clear it.
TIME	Summer late evening till sunset
MISC.	Nothing nearby
FOCAL LENGTH	120-300mm for A320/B737

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	Spot #9 – Terminal – Taxiway
WHERE	The spot is at the left handside of the terminal on a dirt road. You can park your car at the many parking lots or park as explained in spot 1 and 2 and walk along the fence.
WHAT	Planes taxiing towards RWY 24 or smaller jets leaving runway 06 for the apron
TIME	Only in the summer from afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	Ladder is needed. All you need inside the terminal
FOCAL LENGTH	Less then 100mm

No pictures available at the moment.