A Coruña International Airport - Spotting Guide

A Coruña International Airport – Spotting Guide

June 17, 2023 - last modified on November 17, 2023

A Coruña Airport is a very attractive airport for spotting whilst roughly 1 mio. passengeres use the airport yearly. May be there isn’t no much variety of airlines or aircraft but the spots are one of the best in the country due to the closeness to the aircraft, runway and ramp areas. As of 2023 there are six carriers operating in and out of LCG: Air Europa, Binter, easyJet, Iberia, Volotea and Vueling.

Written by Aitor Hernández. Last Update: April 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
03/21	2.188m (7.670 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	One terminal for all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not really needed but recommend for spots 3 and 4.
Car/Public Transport	Car is preferred for all points, but every point has a bus stop but low frequencies
Drinks/Food	There aren’t any restaurants/food stores directly at the locations.
Hotels	Can be found in the city but not around the airport.
Season	We recommend the summer season because of better weather and more movements because of holiday charter flights.
Security	No problems at any of the locations reported.
Runway Usage
General Info	Almost every traffic arriving the airport will land on runway 21. It is super rare that a traffic lands on runway 03. For departures, some traffics may request the runway 03 due to performance reasons because there is a big mountain at the South of the airport.

	Spot #1 – Spotter Hill – All movements, terminal ramp
WHERE	This is the most famous point at the airport, frequently visited by aviation enthusiast and locals. It is on the opposite side of the terminal, next to road N550. The spot itself is a parking area behind some warehouses where you can easily stay. The parking is elevated and no disturbing fence is installed. By public transport exit station Alvedro at the N550 and walk less than 500 meters to the parking.

WHAT	All movements can be seen from here. You have a fantastic view of the runway and to the whole terminal apron.

TIME	From sunrise to midday.

MISC.	Plenty of parking space. Nothing close so bring your own food and drinks. There are no restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	Ramp 738 = 200mm; Runway 738/A320 = 50mm and less

	Spot #2 – Crash Gate – 21 arrivals and departures
WHERE	Very close to the previous spot is a crash gate where you can stand for runway 21, to catch the planes at the flare phase. There is a small mound where you can stand on to clear the fence. Parking is available by the roadside. By public transport exit station Alvedro at the N550 and walk less than 200 meters to the gate.

WHAT	Here you have a view of the first third of runway 21 for arrivals only. Sight to the left is blocked!

TIME	From sunrise to midday

MISC.	Nothing close so bring your own food and drinks. There are no restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	738/A320 = ~50-100mm.

	Spot #3 – Brick Wall – South Apron
WHERE	At the first glimpse it is a very strange spot because you see a brick wall only which is located along the Av. Hermida, next to the terminal. Once there place a ladder next to the wall or climb up a paved pole to avoid the wall between the road and the apron. By public transport exit station Hermida and walk down the road for approximate 100 meter. It is also in walking distance from the terminal.

WHAT	View of the south apron where the private jets and heavy airplanes park

TIME	From high noon to sunset

MISC.	Bring your own food, no restrooms. Don’t stay too long here. Take the photo of the parked aircraft and leave the place.

FOCAL LENGTH	A310 = 50mm

	Spot #4 – Meadow – All movements, apron
WHERE	Very close to the previous spot. Just continue on Av. Hermida from the terminal until you see an open area to your left. There is a meadow near the fuel plant of the airport where you can park and spot from the fence.. You need a ladder here to avoid the fence but you can take photos through the mesh too. By public transport exit station Hermida and walk down the road for approximate 50 meter. It is also in walking distance from the terminal.

WHAT	Great view of the runway where you can take pictures with airplanes taxiing and taking off and landing. The apron, except for the south, can be seen as well.

TIME	From high noon to sunset

MISC.	Bring your own food, no restrooms

FOCAL LENGTH	A319/A320 = ~150mm

	Spot #5 – Power Generator – 03 movements, 21 arrivals
WHERE	Once again continue on Av. Hermida southwards until you see the runway 03 threshold to your left. Parking is available just by the roadside. Now you can climb on top of a generator to gather a great field of runway. By public transport exit station Fonte Main, which is directly at the location.

WHAT	Best for runway 03 arrivals and departures But all runway 21 arrivals of airplanes that didn’t brake too much to vacate the runway via S and make the backtrack can be spotted too.

TIME	From high noon to sunset.

MISC.	Bring your own food, no restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	A20N = ~120mm