Katowice Pyrzowice (KTW/EPKT) is an airport located in southern Poland with a single runway and more than 4.8 Mio passengers. It is the fourth busiest passengers airport and second biggest cargo airport of the country . This airport is the most busiest airport in kind of charter flights in Poland. There are just a few main airlines – WizzAir, Ryanair, Transavia, LOT and Cargo which includes DHL (plus sub charters), UPS and ASL airlines.

But in summer there is a lot of charter going on for example – Smartwings, BulgarianAirCharter or Bulgaria Air and a lot of turkish airlines. The airport is far away from the city Katowice and there is nothing much around. But now it is easier to visit this airport, because new bus lines started driving from the city center.

Flight timetable is available at the airport website.

Written by Konrad Wyszynski and P. Szyper. Last change: October 2024 – Spot 8 removed

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	3.200m (10.499 ft) Concrete
Terminals
Terminal A	Non Schengen
Terminal B	Schengen
Terminal C	all arrivals only
Spotting Information
Ladder	Only needed at spot 5.
Car/Public Transport	Car is needed as there is no public transport around the airport. If you start from the terminal you can walk to spots 2 and 7 if you don´t mind a 20-30 minute walk.
Restrooms	There is nothing around directly at the spots except some bushes and trees.
Drinks/Food	Nothing directly at the spots. Available inside the terminal or at a subway/gas station close to the airport entrance.
Hotels	Just the hotel ”MOXY” near to terminal.
Season	In summer as druing this season there is a lot of charter traffic.
Security	As of April 2025, a new law takes effect, prohibit photographing and recording without permission strategic facilities such as: military facilities, seaports, heating plants, power plants, railway installations, airports, railway stations. The photography ban covers all methods of recording, photographing and filming both from the ground and from the air.Penalty for this is up to 20k or imprisonment! Camera equipment will be confiscated.
Runway Usage
08/26	Used in both directions, depends on the wind.

	Spot #1 – Railroad Tracks – 08 Arrivals
WHERE	The location is on a dirt right just next to the railroad tracks. Pretty easy to reach from the terminal. Just take the first right into Kolejowa Rd and drive straight westwards until you have crossed the railroad tracks. Park here after the crossing on the dirt area and get on the dirt road for the final position.
WHAT	Best for 08 arrivals and 26 heavy departures. For latter you can also walk further down the main road.
TIME	Best light from 0900 till 1700 all year round. I summer you will have backlit in the morning and evening hours.
MISC.	Few shops in Ożarowice are ~1km away.
FOCAL LENGTH	A320 arrival = 250mm

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	Spot #2 – Spotting Platform – 08 Arrivals
WHERE	There is an official viewing platform next to a sports arena. Pretty easy to reach from the terminal. Just take the first right into Kolejowa Rd and take the next left into Dworcowa. At the next junction turn right and you will find the sports complex after a few hundred meters to your right. Enter the complex but turn left at the first gate and drive all the way up until you have reached the parking lot. From there you have to walk to the platform.
WHAT	Best for arrivals on runway 08. 26 heavy departures can be spottet as well. In the distance you can also see line-ups and exits for 08 but be aware of heat haze.
TIME	Best light from 0900 till 1700 all year round. I summer you will have backlit in the morning and evening hours.
MISC.	Few shops in Ożarowice are ~1km away.
FOCAL LENGTH	788 departure = 250mm; 738 arrival = 350mm

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	Spot #3 – Spotting Platform 08 – 08 Arrivals / 26 Departures
WHERE	There is an another spotting platform, north of runway 08 at the end of Zubrza road. Pretty easy to reach from the terminal. Just take the first right into Kolejowa Rd and continue straight into western direction. Pass the approach path of runway 08 and after that you will find the platform to your left. Parking is available there.
WHAT	For a better angel don`t stand on the platform as it is very close to the approach. Position yourself further up the road. But line-ups can be made perfectly from the platform.
TIME	Only in the mid-summer this location is okay in the mornings and evenings. Otherwise it is backlit.
MISC.	There is absouletly nothing nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300

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	Spot #4 – Niwy road – 08 Departures and Arrivals / 26 Departures
WHERE	The spot is in Niwy road just a few hundred meters north of the previous location. Just park there.
WHAT	There are some photo holes at Zubrza Rd on the opposite of a bus stop to catch 08 departues and touchdowns. For arrivals on 08 and the 26 departures stay a Niwy road.
TIME	The best time in the evening to sunset and from sunrise to morning during the summer months only. Backlit in winter.
MISC.	There is absoulelty nothing.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300

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	Spot #5 – Radarek – All Movements 08/26
WHERE	Radarek is near południowa street, road from Zendek village which can be accessed from the previous spots, if you drive north and then turn right. Transport to this spot is by car only, but is very trick to get there as you need to drive on very bumpy farm roads. GPS Navigation is helpful.
WHAT	All movements on 08/226
TIME	The best time in the evening to sunset and from sunrise to morning during the summer months only. Backlit in winter.
MISC.	There is absouletly nothing. A ladder is needed!
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

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	Spot #6 – Leśna road – 26 morning and evening Arrivals
WHERE	The spot is in Leśna road which can be reached by car only. From the terminal use the official exit and pass the roundabout. Take the next left at the BP station and continue on this road till you reach a small village. Turn left here, pass the approach of 26 and park as marked on the map.
WHAT	Arrivals on 26 only. You can position yourself along the calm road for the preferred angle.
TIME	The best time in the evening to sunset and from sunrise to morning during the summer months only. Backlit in winter.
MISC.	There is some house but nothing simmilar to restaurants or restrooms
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm

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	Spot #7 – Spotting Platform 26 – 26 Arrivals and Departures / 08 Departures
WHERE	The platform is behind a forest, but easy to find. Follow the signs to the cargo terminal, pass it and drive into the forrest. Park your car near the airport fence at the end of the forrest and walk to the position.
WHAT	26 arrivals especially and 26 lineup. Some 08 departues too.
TIME	For 26 line up form sunrise till late noon. For 08 departues and 26 best light from 0900 till 1700 all year round. I summer you will have backlit in the morning and evening hours.
MISC.	There is absouletly nothing. No fence needed as the platform clears the fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

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	Spot #8 – Cargo Terminal
WHERE	Follow the signs from the terminal to the Cargo and pass the hall. Park somewhere along the road and walk to the fence on the right of the cargo terminal. UPDATE OCT 2024: there is a big construction site for a new cargo area. Thus this location is no longer available.
WHAT	Planes parked at the new apron and cargo ramp and planes taxi to runway 26 via E/H, S, F or T. You need to shot through the mesh or using a ladder.
TIME	Usually the whole day as it depends pretty much on the angle and how the planes are parked. Nightshots are possible too.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Don`t park to long along the road.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300

	Spot #9 – Tower
WHERE	Same as above. Drive to the cargo terminal until you see the tower to your left. Park your car on the side of the road and walk to the fence.
WHAT	Cargo ramp and taxiway. You need to shot through the mesh or using a ladder.
TIME	Best light from 0900 till 1700 all year round. I summer you will have backlit in the morning and evening hours.
MISC.	There are constructiion work but people are very friendly and propably will let you to fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

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	Spot #10 – Terminal Parking P2 – All movements
WHERE	Location is at the terminal Parking P2, next to hotel Moxy. Park there and walk to the fence.
WHAT	Stands 15-11, all runway movements and taxi to runway 26 from stands 29-12, and taxi to runway 08 from stands 7 to 15. You need to shot through the mesh or using a ladder.
TIME	Best light from 0900 till 1700 all year round. In summer you will have backlit in the morning and evening hours.
MISC.	Terminal is just around the corner.
FOCAL LENGTH	Big variety. 18-400mm

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	Spot #11 – Terminal C parking – All movements
WHERE	Spot is located in parking next to terminal C (on the left from terminal). Here is a fence of course, but easy to catch planes through the mesh because of small holes (no official lens holes!).
WHAT	Bravo vacated (after 26 landing), Taxi to 08, 26 Departues, 08 landings
TIME	In winter all day, at summer from 9am to 18pm
MISC.	Terminals: A, B, C, (B is closed now to propably 2021)
FOCAL LENGTH	55-300

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