Rimini Airport - Spotting Guide

Rimini Airport – Spotting Guide

July 26, 2018 - last modified on November 29, 2023

Rimini Miramare Federico Fellini Airport (RMI/LIPR) is the main airport of Romagna with a bunch of interesting and unique flights from Russia and Ukraine. Is located 8km far from Rimini, in the fraction Miramare of the famous Riccione, along the SS16 Adriatica Street. The airport was handled by Aeradria Society but suffered bankrupt in 2013 and failed, leaving the airport without a proper organization forcing his closure for the entire 2014. On 1 April 2015 the airport opened again under the new society AIRiminum, that is currently operative.

If you are looking for a busy airport this isn’t the best one, but if you are enjoying holidays on the Adriatic Coast nearby paying a visit on Wednesday or Saturday is a wise choice. Check website riminiairport.com for the scheduled flights. Almsot all are “holiday charters” so you have them only during summer, in winter the airport traffic is pretty much non existent.

Written by Tombarelli Federico (regular visitor), credits to Andrea Tabanelli for Spot 9 and photos.

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
13/31	3.300 m (10.827ft) Concrete
Terminals	One for all operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	A must, for afternoon 5-6 steps (3 is somehow still fine).
Car/Public Transport	Necessary for a lot of spots. Public transport is not really an option.
Restrooms	Nothing at the spots.
Drinks/Food	In the terminal or everywhere along the coast.
Hotels	Hotels all around the airport and the sea.
Season	The best months to travel are during summer as there is a lot of sun and most traffic.
Runway Usage
13/31	Mostly 31, southern wind is typical during afternoon so it may change

	Spot #1 – Aeroclub – Morning Apro Movements
WHERE	This spot is located in the park of the Aeroclub Rimini headquarter. Park to the terminal and walk westbound (look at the spot in the map). When the apron ends you’ll fine the white building and many “Aeroclub” signs. Reach the fence facing the apron.

WHAT	You can get everything that enters the apron from the TE and TF entries. Note that TG is used only by heavies and most of the bizjets. Same apply to departures. Sometimes they park some airplanes in front of this location and you can get them but they would obstruct your apron view, so use this location if you see that you might have clear view.

TIME	From sunrise to 11:00 in summer, earlier in winter because of sun

MISC.	3 step ladder needed. The Aeroclub members are good people, just inform them that you are a spotter and be polite and respect their propriety.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-70 parked aircraft; 100-400 other movements, very variable distances

Actually we don´t have photos from this location. Don´t hesitate to contact us if you can send us some photos!

	Spot #2 – Elettrauto – Morning Runway 31 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located on the SS16 Adriatica. Exit the terminal and follow signs to Ancona/Riccione. Go after the BricoIo market on the left and after 400mt you’ll find the entrance of a house where you can park, edging a crops field and after some huge trees. Coming from south is easier to find, follow SS16 Adriatica “Aeroporto” direction and you’ll see the house, check the overview image down there.

WHAT	Runway 31 arrivals only

TIME	Early morning until 11:00 in the summer only. No light in winter on this side.

MISC.	No ladder needed, good cafè behind for breakfast. For everything you need just go seabound and you’ll find everything.

FOCAL LENGTH	180mm for 767; 250mm for A319

	Spot #3 – Baffo Restaurant – Runway 31 Morning landings and departures
WHERE	Located at the beginning of Runway 31, you cannot miss it. Search for Via Piemonte. Big car park under trees, wide view over the whole airport. Just “circle” the airport and you’ll find it. When the sun has turned around, just cross the runway and park near the wood, there is place for a pair of cars.

WHAT	Best for taxi/line-up on Runway 31. Landings sky shots are possible too but #2 is better. You can reach the end of the runway and enjoy some airplane passing right over your head or try in the afternoon some crazy landing frontal shot.

TIME	From early morning until midday for line-ups, risk of heat haze as the day goes on. Till 11:00 for arrivals and then from afternoon till evening from the other side.

MISC.	Few space for landing shots as the view is obstructed by trees for the majority. 3 step ladder needed for departures. If you just go at the end of the runway the fence is lower and you can shot without the ladder. You can eat at the restaurant or go find something in the villages behind.

FOCAL LENGTH	landings 50-120 departures: B777=130mm; 737= 200mm

	Spot #4 – Field – Runway 31 Afternoon landings
WHERE	On the SS16 Adriatica follow Ancona signs. You’ll find on your right a car wash, a Kart circuit and a bunch of Gas/Petrol Station. You’ll reach a roundabout with a lot of colorful sails. Take the first exit and you’ll find another small roundabout, turn again in the first exit, than just proceed until the end of the street. You’ll fine some crop field, those are you spotting point. You can both stay at the beginning, taking shots before a pair of huge trees, or go down the fields until the river inside the woods on your left. If you cross the field be careful and polite since is private propriety. If you see the farmer just weave and show the camera, he will understand and let you take your photos in tranquillity.

WHAT	Runway 31 landings only.

TIME	From afternoon till evening.

MISC.	Only sky shots, no ladder needed. You’ll be a bit out of the city so bring drinks and food, but you won’t stay there for more than 3 aircraft if you don’t wanna wait for 3 hours the next arrival doing nothing…

FOCAL LENGTH	100-200mm

	Spot #5 – Roundabout “Le Vele” – Runway 31 Afternoon landings
WHERE	This spot is located near the roundabout with the sails mentioned in spot 5. Coming from the terminal, like in spot 5, take the first exit and find the second roundabout. Take the last exit, following S. Lorenzo white sign, and you’ll be in a parallel street of SS16 Adriatica. You can park along the street in the dedicated places.

WHAT	Landings from Runway 31. You have to shot between light poles, so choose your angle where you think you have the wider space.

TIME	From afternoon till evening.

MISC.	You aren’t in a busy road but always pay attention to traffic. No ladder needed. You can find a cafè and some shops further down the street.

FOCAL LENGTH	250mm 737; 140mm 767 but depends on where you decide to stay

	Spot #6 – Tipografia – Runway 31 Afternoon Departures
WHERE	You have 2 ways to reach this spot from the Terminal. If you turn left on SS16 Adriatica go straight for 2km heading to Rimini City. Turn left on Via Casalecchio, just on the corner with the “Risorante Quo Vadis”(you’ll see a yellow sign with some molluscs). Follow Via Casalecchio until you don’t cross the runway and after 1,5km reach the Typography on the right (precise location shown in photo below). If turning right leaving the Terminal on SS16 Adriatica follow indications for Spot 3 and 4. Here proceed further until a roundabout. Turn right in Via Trebbiano, reach another roundabout and again right to Via Marano. Follow Via Marano(after it becomes Via Casalecchio) while having the airport on the right and after some military buildings and the control tower on the right you’ll find a crop field on the right and the Typography on the left. You can just park near the entrance of the Typography.

WHAT	Departures from Runway 31, except small aircraft.

TIME	From afternoon till evening.

MISC.	No ladder needed, pay attention as you are along a road. You can move along it to have the angle you prefer, the sight is clear everywhere. On this side you are a bitter far from cafe and shops so take something with you. DON’T reach the fence with a ladder to take photos on the ground, here is near military buildings and is forbidden to go there.

FOCAL LENGTH	200mm 737; 120mm 747

	Spot #7 – Afternoon Runway 31 landings/ 13 Departures
WHERE	Located near the end of the Runway.Coming from Spot 7 you’ll find this place where the group of houses end. You’ll see a good place to park your car on the left, in front of a factory. On the right you’ll see the fence and the end of the runway, cannot miss it.

WHAT	Ground shot of landings from Runway 31 and both departures and arrivals from 13.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	This place has 2 variants, one with a 3 step ladder, one with 5/6 steps. 5/6 step ladder: you are far from the fence because of a small river. Stay near the street and open you ladder (Look photo below) and take pictures. 3 step ladder: Go further down the river until you reach a point “signed” with a pole. Here is a small bridge where you can cross and reach the fence. You are a bit further but 3 steps are enough. Also you can use this place to have a different background or during later hours. Don’t stay with the stair near the fence too long, just take your shot and move away.

FOCAL LENGTH	80mm 777; 180mm 737 If you go to the bridge with the 3 steps ladder you are a bit more further

	Spot #8 – The Field – Afternoon Runway 13 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is basically the entire crops field you’ll note at the very end of the runway along Via Casalecchio. Based on your preference you can park on Via Casalecchio and take photos from there or reach the parallel street, Via Macanno, and stay there, or just go through the field. As always be polite and respect the private propriety without damaging crops.

WHAT	Runway 13 arrivals only.

TIME	From afternoon till evening.

MISC.	Nothing nearby, no shades, no ladder needed.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-350 depending on where you stay

	Spot #9 – The Hill – Afternoon Runway 31 Departures
WHERE	From spot 8 or 9 reach Via Macanno, heading to Rimini. Inside the small village of Macanno you’ll turn left in Via Acquabona. Follow it until the end in Via Coriano, here turn right than immediately turn left in Via Monte l’Abate. Follow it until the end (you will cross the Highway) and you’ll find a church. Turn left and right after the church on the turn find a way to park your car. Here you have a very good view over the entire airport.

WHAT	Departures from Runway 31 and landings on Runway 13. Due to the distance and heat its best to photograph heavies.

TIME	From afternoon till evening.

MISC.	You are very far, this location is just for artistic shots with Rimini city and the Adriatic Sea in the background.

FOCAL LENGTH	300+

	Spot #10 – Morning Runway 13 Arrivals
WHERE	Leaving Terminal turn left on SS16 Adriatica go straight for 2km heading to Rimini City. Turn left on Via Casalecchio, just on the corner with the “Risorante Quo Vadis”(you’ll see a yellow sign with some molluscs). At a certain point the street turns right because he faces the runway. Park there.

WHAT	Landings from Runway 13

TIME	From sunrise until 10

MISC.	No ladder needed. Everything you need is behind you. Note that Runway 13 usage during morning is very uncommon, we never tested this site before.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200?

Actually we don´t have photos from this location. Don´t hesitate to contact us if you can send us some photos!

	Spot #11 – The Apron – Landings and Apron movements
WHERE	Best place in Rimini. Just exit the Terminal and take left side, when the wall ends you’ll have a plain sight of the apron and bizjets parkings.

WHAT	Every landing in the morning, most of parked aircraft, 90% of bizjets. Note that heavy aircraft will use the exit in front of you (TG), instead from A321 to 737 use the other (TE-TF). You can shot the narrow bodies when they pass through the TG (like iFly-Nordstar below). Heavies can be only parked in the 2 slots in front of you, so be careful because they might obstruct your view. Also some ground vehicles can be parked randomly, but you have a lot of space to avoid them.

TIME	From sunrise until 10 and during last hours of the day, based on where is parked a certain airplane.

MISC.	3 step ladder is needed. Inside the Terminal you can find food/Drinks.

FOCAL LENGTH	30 for close parked aircraft; 70mm for 767 taxi inside the Apron; 180mm for 737 across TG