Spotting Info
First a word of advise
You should have NO problem watching or photographing the planes, however the Police/Army do not like people taking a photo of any Spanish A.F. plane(s) departing carrying member(s) of the Spanish Royal family/Government.
Enjoy your hobby and holiday here
There are plenty of places to view the airport movements, on the eastern side of the runway towards the South end is a beach while both runway ends are easy to watch from open ground. About the only place you cannot view from is landside in the Terminal, however once airside there are great views plus a outside eating area. Have a look on the ''Airline Guide'' page where I have listed each day, based on the arrival/departure info for the airport. Please only use this as a rough guide as with all charter operations they change every week!
A radio is well worthwhile for listening to, even better if you can understand Spanish! Nevertheless all non Spanish movements use English so its easy to follow what is happening. Tower 120.7, Radar 129.1/129.3 and (when in use) Ground 121.8. For high level over the top flights try 133.0. In theroy Scanners are illegal in Spain so just use a bit of sence when using it!
Viewing
The runway is laid out as 03-21, 03 being the South end by the beach and is the normal approach unless there is a strong tailwind in which case landings will be on 21. Landings are NOT normally on 21 once dark.
To Drive to the 03 end of the runway, follow the signs for Matagorda off the LZ-40 if heading from the Airport/Arrecife etc and then keep straight on at the round-about, just after the next small (new) roundabout (Which leads into the housing estate and Beatriz Hotel etc) look for a LEFT turn towards the white house. (Picture above) Follow this road and it passes to the left of the white house. If on foot either follow the road or else walk towards the sea and promenade. The runway end is behind the white house.
Area by 03 Threshold looking Southeast, one of the best locations for photographs as well as sitting in a car watching. This is where you can park up having driven past the white house.
The planes are real close, there are a number of holes in the fence, also some stone mounds you can use to stand on and shot over the fence if preferred, Enjoy...
Parking the car and walking alone the Promenade past the end of the runway will give these sorts of views! The white house is easy visible. Good idea first thing on a morning when the sun has just risen.
Other options
Apart from the above you also have the following:-
Views of the terminal area and cargo/bizjet ramp are possible with a car or else a long walk by foot along the promenade from the other end of the runway.
If driving leave the terminal and follow the signs for Arrecife onto the LZ-2 road heading East, once you pass the end of the runway (On your right) take the next turning right (signed for Playa Honda) at the roundabout bear right. Head down this road for about 50 yards until you come to some houses on the right hand side. Turn right into the road by them and drive onto the open ground behind.
I don't think its any good for photo's unless they are landing on 21 and the sun is ok but if something is parked up and you want to get the reg its ok. If any bizjets are in, they will be parked on the right handside of the ramp.
Terminal area.
In terminal 1, there are NO landside views, however if you head to terminal 2 (Inter-island, Binter/Islas) some views of the ramp and GA area can be seen from either side of the terminal building. You can also see the runway and anything landing/taking off. NO good for photo's due the amount of ground cluter etc. If you like Military, look out for the Mirage (C.14C-75) on the gate guard pole outside the AirForce base.
Once Airside in Terminal 1, there are great views of the ramp and runway without any problems, the seating area between gates 1/2 and 3/4 seems about the best spot. Photo of a Spanair Airbus taxing out gives some idea of the views possible.
If departing from terminal 2 you will only be allowed into the departure lounge about 20 minutes before your flight, its small! Once in there is a clear view towards the runway and anything passing infront. Anything parked on Terminal 1 will be viewable as you walk out to your plane...
Updated to December 16th 2008.
