Simon Bolivar International Airport(SVMI/CCS), also known as “Maiquetia Airport,” serves Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, which is located 30km from the airport. This is Venezuela´s most important airport, receiving between 40 and 50 daily flights, most of which are operated by classic planes like MD-80s or 737-200s.

At this airport, we can highlight the significant presence of Russian and US government aircraft like Ilyushin IL-62, TU-204, etc., and also the presence of South American or Caribbean traffic with classic planes which let you see things like Boeings 727 or Ilyushin IL-96. Also, the local carrier, Conviasa, operates their flights from here with Airbus A340-200, -300 and -600. Within two days you could get a photo of all the active aircraft of the various Venezuelan airlines.

Written by Fabrizio Spicuglia and André Alders. Last Update: April 2026, Spot 9

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10L/28R	11.843 ft / 3500 m
10R/28L	8825 ft / 2690 m
09/27	9465 ft / 2885 m
Terminals
Regional Terminal	Used for flights inside Venezuela
International Terminal	Used for flights outside Venezuela
Airport Chart
Spotting Information
Ladder	You will not need a Ladder in any spot.
Car/Public Transport	No regular public transport exists, so you will need a car to move and change spots.
Drinks/Food	There are a lot of restaurants close to the airport. Spot #3 is located in a Shopping Mall where you can eat.
Hotels	There are good hotels near the airport, such as Eurobuilding or Marriot, which crews usually use during their visits to Caracas.
Season	Traffic does not change throughout the year, but the best light is between October and March. There are no cold or hot months so that heat haze can be a problem throughout the year; the best time to prevent heat is in the morning.
Security	Spotting is tolerated, but be prepared to be approached at any time by anyone, and be careful with your equipment; in most spots, you are in safe zones, so you will not have problems about security. Venezuela is becoming safer, but you must pay attention to your environment and the people near you. Always try to contact a local spotter or someone who has visited the airport before.
Runway Usage
General Info	Government flights can use any of the active runways to take off, so be prepared for everything. Heavy planes like 747 or A380 will try to land on runway 28 if possible as it is easier to taxi. In Venezuela, the use of LiveATC is legal, so if you have doubts, you can listen to it.
10L/28R	10L is mainly in use for arrivals and departures for intercontinental flights. 28R rarely in use, but it sometimes happens between April and September.
10R/28L	10R is mainly in use for arrivals and departures for intercontinental flights. 28L rarely in use, but it sometimes happens between April and September.
09/27	09 is in use for domestic and general aviation departures, no arrivals on 09. 27 is rarely in use.

	Spot #1 – 1st floor restaurant – Regional Ramp, Runway 10L/R and Runway 09 Movements
WHERE	There is a restaurant on the Regional Terminal’s second floor landside, before security checks. Here, you can eat and take photos from the restaurant’s different panoramic windows. To take photos from here, you have to consume some food. The adjacent panoramic outdoor terrace is currently being completely renovated, and according to the workers, it should be completed and reopened at any time!
WHAT	From the restaurant, you can see all runway movements and the regional ramp movements. The runways are far, so heat haze can be a problem, but for planes taxing via Hotel, Golf, or planes using the Runway 10R/28L, it will be perfect.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the year, the taxiway in front of the restaurant is backlit, but during the evening, you can shoot planes taxiing via Golf.
MISC.	In this restaurant, you can find everything you need. The hamburger costs approximately $10, and the drink is $2.5, so you can sit and take photos for just $12.5(prices from Sept. 2024.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-300mm. B732: 80mm / A333(backtrack RWY10R/28L): 165mm / MD-80(Taxiing via G): 150mm / B763(Takeoff RWY10L/28R): 260mm / E190(Entering RWY09): 280mm.

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	Spot #2 – Airport Fence – Runway 10L/R and 09 movements
WHERE	The perimeter fence is located on the street to enter the terminal. You can pay and park your car at the terminal parking lot and reach the fence on foot. The metal fence has many holes for taking photos, and the best spot is at the transition between the two fences.
WHAT	At the beginning of the regional terminal, there is a fence where you can see the eastern parking stands, the traffic taxiing via the hotel to the ramp, or those taxiing to/from Runway 09. To take photos from here, you will have to shoot through the fence.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the months are backlit, but you can shoot to planes taxiing by Golf during the morning. Heat haze can be a problem for far planes.
MISC.	Everything you need can be found inside the terminal. Security is stationed behind the tent. Depending on the staff, spotting may or may not be allowed.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm- B732: 120mm / MD-80s: 50mm.

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	Spot #3 – Sotavento Terrace – Runway 09 Takeoff
WHERE	Sotavento is a shopping mall with a big terrace on the food floor and another on the upper level, from which you can see almost everything. The mall also has a parking lot where you can leave your car without problems.
WHAT	From this terrace, you can see the movements of Runway 09/28 and Runway 10L/28R-10R/28L, but the aircraft on these runways are too far apart, so heat haze can be a problem.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the months are backlit. Heat haze can be a problem for far planes.
MISC.	Everything you need can be found inside the shopping center.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm. Rutaca B733: 380mm / Conviasa ATR 42: 500mm / Conviasa A342: 210mm.

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	Spot #4 – Pasarela Los Aviadores – Runway 09 Takeoffs
WHERE	This spot is on a gangway in front of a residential building and is used to cross the avenue. You can ask to park your car in the hotel and go on foot, or simply park in front of the residential building.
WHAT	From this gangway, you can see the Runway 10L/R and 09 takeoffs.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the months are backlit. Heat haze can be a problem for far planes.
MISC.	Bring everything you need, and give priority to water. Nothing is close by except the hotel.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm. Turkish B789: 380mm.

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	Spot #5 – Eurobuilding Hotel – Runway 09 and Ramp movements
WHERE	Hotel Eurobuilding Express is a good hotel close to the airport. Many flight crews use this hotel to rest. There is a shuttle to the Domestic and International terminal every 30 minutes. To take photos from here, you have to be a guest but the windows are tinted black also quite thick.  When booking or checking in, you can tell the hotel staff you want a room with airport views. You can book via their website.
WHAT	The north rooms show the movements of Runway 09. From here, you can also see some ramp movements.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the months are backlit. The best light is during the morning.
MISC.	As a hotel guest, you have everything you need inside the hotel. There is a restaurant on the ground floor where you can have breakfast or dinner, and there is also room service in case you want to ask for something without leaving the room.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm. B732: 300mm / MD-80: 230mm / A333: 500mm

Thanks to Arturo La Roche for the examples:

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	Spot #6 – Hotel Marriot Playa Grande – Runway 10L/R Landings
WHERE	Marriot Hotel is located in Playa Grande, a zone at the north of the airport. To take photos from this hotel, you have to be a guest to get access to room floors. Here, you can easily access the higher floors and take photos from the emergency stairs, which do not have windows or alarms if you open the door. You can book a room from their website.
WHAT	From this hotel, you can see the approach to Runways 10L/R with the mountain in the background.
TIME	From May to August, the best light is in the morning, which helps with the heat haze. The rest of the months are backlit.
MISC.	Everything you need can be found inside the hotel. Also, there is a “Farmatodo – (Spot #7)” 6 minutes by car from where you can buy snacks and drinks.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm. E190: 300mm / B732: 380mm / B763: 220mm.

Thanks to Arturo La Roche for the examples:

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	Spot #7 – Farmatodo parking – Runway 10L/R Landings
WHERE	Farmatodo is a drug store and mini market on La Armada Avenue, just behind runways 10L/R. The store has a self-parking lot where you can park and see planes without problems.
WHAT	From here, you can see the planes landing on runways 10L/R. The spot works better for Runway 10L because you will see the belly of planes landing on Runway 10R.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the months are backlit. The best light is during the morning.
MISC.	Everything you need can be found inside the store.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm. IL-96: 80mm / MD-80: 100mm / B727: 150mm.

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	Spot #8 –  Domestic/International Terminal – Apron and Taxiway
WHERE	In the terminal it is possible to take photos after the security checks at almost every gate. There is even an extension with various restaurants where it is also possible to take photos.
WHAT	Best for the apron action in front of the domestic and international terminal, no matter which runway is active. In the case 10/28 is active, flights to and from the international terminal will pass by. The runways are far, so heat haze is a problem.
TIME	All day from September to March. The rest of the months, the taxiway  is backlit.
MISC.	Everything you need can be found inside the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	20-300mm

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	Spot #9 – Plaza Aeropuerto – RWY09 Movements / GA Ramp
WHERE	You will reach the airport square by walking approximately 5 minutes eastward along the airport entrance road. Here, you will find several spots suitable for taking photos. However, the best location to avoid any issues with the police or airport security is the square itself.
WHAT	From the square, you will be able to observe all the movements on runway 09, the general aviation apron, aircraft heading to the maintenance hangars, and also governmental aircraft, as all these operations take place in the eastern area of the airport.
TIME	Between October and March, you can use this spot throughout the entire day. During the rest of the months, the sun travels across the northern side of the airport, although it can still be useful at the end of the day.
MISC.	Bring with you everything you may need, as the nearest facility is the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm. B732 and MD80: 270mm / L410: 230mm / B733: 390mm