Memmingen Allgäu Airport - Spotting Guide

Memmingen Allgäu Airport – Spotting Guide

November 17, 2019 - last modified on November 21, 2023

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 in addition to some holiday charter carriers. 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 and Tim Donell. Last change: April 2023 (Spot 10 added)

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
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
Security	Spotting along the fence is no problem and tolerated by the airport. If you are use a car be aware that the “Bundespolizei” is sometimes inspecting cars on the main road at the huge roundabout.
Runway Usage
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

	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.	Often gras is not mowed blocking the gear. You will also not see the aircrafts as they appear behind a corner where the holding point is situated. Normally you can hear them when they approach or push back and start engines. A 4 step ladder is needed, more higher is better and 6 steps are good to clear the wires.

FOCAL LENGTH	B737 = 240mm; A321 = 150mm; Cessna = 400mm

	Spot #4 – Approach RWY 06
WHERE	Not far from Spot 3 is the new road around the south airport called “Industriestraße”. Leave Horststraße to the left and exit the roundabout at the 2nd exit. This passes below the approach path of RWY 06. Park your car in the same street as above (“Horststraße”) or for a quick shot roadside. Do not block any traffic with parking and be aware of bikers and cars/trucks passing with 50-70km/h.

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	100-400mm

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. Update September 2021: Main spot is now fenced with a new second fence due the construction of an industrial park. Currently you can still access the area as they have only done small ground workings. There are some hills where you are elevated for the approach. Shooting the line up is not that easy as you have to find a place at the fence where no stuff is blocking the view. Be prepared to not find a perfect spot as before and asked to leave of construction workers appear. Also the road seen on Google Junkersstraße is not driveable anymore.

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 the hill 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.	Nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	A320/B737: 150-180mm Cessna 210: 400mm

	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. 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 the GAT. You pass the approach path, 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. 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.	You need at least a 3 step ladder to get between the fence and the wire above it. The new mesh is quite tight and difficult to shoot through it.

FOCAL LENGTH	70mm for 737/A320 on the runway, for the GAT apron 150-400mm

	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 and can be fined by Police, do it on your own risk and be careful for other people and farmers. Dirt roads are not maintained so drive carefully and do not damage your car

FOCAL LENGTH	B737: 150mm

	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 be fined by Police) till the fence. Park your car but stay next to it in case a farmer needs space or police is checking you. You need a ladder to shoot through the barbed wire.

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

	Spot #9 – Terminal – Taxiway
WHERE	The spot is at the left handside of the terminal on a dirt road. When coming from the roundabout follow the Flughafen Str. till you make a 90° right turn. Do not make the right turn continue straight into a smaller road. You can park your car at the street marked on the map people often park here while waiting for a flight to arrive. From here walk along the fence for around 400m. You can stay here along the taxiway or walk further along the fence for another 200m. Then you should be able to see more from the runway.

WHAT	Planes leaving Runway 06 or taxiing to Runway 24

TIME	Early morning or late afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	You are below the taxiway you will need a 5 step ladder or better. When you stand close to the field and not close to the fence 5 steps are enough. Sample photo was taken with 4 steps and holding cam in the air

FOCAL LENGTH	Less then 100mm

	Spot #10 – New roundabout – All Movements
WHERE	There is a new paved road going from the roundabout southeast of Spot #6 to a end road with a small turning area at the end , so you can park at the side of the road and stay by your car. Currently there is no picture on Google Maps, road might be too new. Fence is below and not obstructing the aircraft on the runway, but it’s better to use a small 3-step ladder to stand a little bit higher. Please note there is a sign for forbidden access by car except farming vehicles after the roundabout, but we had no issues with police or security.

WHAT	At this position you get all movements of RWY 24/06.

TIME	Winter all day long. From 0800 till early afternoon in the summer. Heat haze might be a problem during summer.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. When the gras is not mowed it can be block the gear, but when the aircraft is in the area of the entry from the southern small taxiway you have a free view without gras (refer to attached picture of Ryanair 737). For the view with cutted gras refer to attached picture of WizzAir A320

FOCAL LENGTH	A320/738 = 120-150mm