Strasbourg Airport (SXB/LFST) is located north of the village Entzheim and about 15km west of the city with a single runway. With only 1 Mio. passengers in 2022 it is only a small airport with decent spots for planespotters. Most of the passengers use domestic flights (~ 865.000) with Volotea and HOP. International flights are offered by Volotea, Turkish Airlines, Tassili Airlines (main target in SXB for most spotters), Air Arabia Maroc, Royal Air Maroc, Iberia/Air Nostrum, Tarom, Aegean Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Tunisair. Seasonal flights are mostly operated by Travel Service/Smartwings, TUI Airlines Belgium, ASL Airlines France and Arkia. From time to time French Air Force is using Strasbourg for low approaches and training flights.

In addition, the members of the european parliament are in Strasbourg for 12 weeks per year and during this time you can expect more flights: normally some charter flights by civil passenger aircraft e.g. Aegean 320s, but also some governmental aircraft e.g. Polish Government E175.

Written by Gerrit Griem, Kevin Bung and Severin Hackenberger. Last update: July 2023 – Spots 5+6

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Airline Variety
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Airport Information
Runways
05/23	2.400 m Concrete
Terminals	One terminal handling all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed at spot 1, 2 and 6.
Car/Public Transport	Car is highly recommended. There is a bus running between the airport and Entzheim (line 42 from airport). From the village can you can walk to the locations.
Restrooms	There is nothing around directly at the spots except some bushes and trees.
Drinks/Food	Nothing directly at the spots. Restaurants, a gas station and a supermarket are in Entzheim.
Hotels	Two hotels are in Entzheim, but Straßburg is not far and there you can find a lot of hotels.
Season	During summer and weeks of european parliament in Strasbourg, there is more traffic.
Runway Usage
05/23	Used in both directions depending on the wind, but 23 is more often in use.

	Spot #1 – Spotterhill  – Runway 05/23 morning
WHERE	The spot is at the end of the street “Rue de Hangenbieten” which is in the city of Entzheim (follow signs to cemetery). Drive till the end and park there by the roadside as shown below. Then position yourself all along the fence to find the prefered angle, but in general you have two options here: #1A – Go to the south along the fence from the parking: best for 05 #1B – Go to the north along the fence from the parking: best for 23
WHAT	Runway 05/23 all movements.
TIME	~ 08:00 – 14:00 all year round.
MISC.	Only a bench to relax and a bin. You need a ladder with at least two steps. During July/August the grass might be too high and parts of the plane are cutted of.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm 70mm A321, 110mm CRJ2

Spot #1A – the south:

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	Spot #2 – Rue Jean Bugatti – 05 Arrivals + Line-Ups
WHERE	From the city of Entzheim continue on the “Rue Jean Bugatti” till its end and park here on the left in a little paved area.
WHAT	05 departures/line-ups and arrivals.
TIME	Morning till late noon.
MISC.	There is absouletly nothing nearby. During summer heat haze is a problem for 05 departures. A ladder is not needed as there is a little “mound” nearby, but might be helpful for departures to be safe.
FOCAL LENGTH	110mm A321, 140mm A319

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	Spot #3 – Runway 05 Line-up evening
WHERE	It is not so easy to get here. From Entzheim coming drive D392 (“Route de Schirmeck”) and turn right before the gas station (Total). Continue on the small dirty road as long as you can. Park you car on the left side so you dont disturb farmers. The parking spot is not really correct in the map. You can continue with a left turn for another small distance. The last ~ 500 metres you have to walk without a path. For 05 departures stay at the fence and for the arrivals step back a few meters as shown on the map.
WHAT	05 departures and arrivals.
TIME	05 departures from ~ 15:00 till sunset and 05 arrivals from ~ 18:00 till sunset (summer only).
MISC.	Absolutely nothing. For 05 departures you need a ladder with at least three steps to clear the fence. During July/August the grass might be too high and parts of the plane are cutted of.
FOCAL LENGTH	Arrivals: 100mm ATR-42, Departures: 80mm B717, 120mm ATR-42

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	Spot #4 – Rue Caravelle – Apron + nearby taxiways
WHERE	At the southwestern end of the apron between some green storage halls, there is a little fence part you can easily access which offers a great view. Head for the GAT, which has to be passed though, and afterwards keep to the left till you reach “Rue Caravelle”. Park your car nearby to the marked position on the map and then search your favourite position along the fence. +++ July 2023: There are still some sort of construction works going on here, future of this spot is still unsure +++
WHAT	From here you have a nice view onto the apron in front as well as the taxiways behind. You may also see some runway movements.
TIME	In the afternoon – exact time depends on the parking spot/angle.
MISC.	Ladder needed here. Keep a low profile as there is nothing around than the GAT. Also be aware to not to block any preserved spots when parking.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm Casa 295 = 170mm / King Air = 110mm

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	Spot #5 – Staircase – 23 Movements + preserved fighter + Sécurité civile base
WHERE	This spot is located just outside the terminal’s northern end: leave the terminal through the northernmost exit, turn right and you will see a big staircase. Unluckily the upper part is not accessible due to a locked glass door, but you can get up to the half from where you already have a decent view. This spot is easy to reach by public transport: just take the train from the city center or the bus and you will end up at Entzheim Aeroport station. Just pass the highway by using the bridge, continue till you reach the terminal and follow the instructions above. Arriving by a car you can either park in the terminal parking or around the train station maybe somewhere by the roadside for free.
WHAT	23 arrivals and departures as well as parts of the taxiways in front. In addition, you can also see the preserved fighter just in front of the stairs plus the movements to/from the sécurité civile base.
TIME	From later afternoon till sunset – in summer only.
MISC.	All you need is in the terminal just next to you. Maybe do not hang on the stairs all the time as it is sort of an emergency exit, so just walk up for taking pictures and wait downstairs. Caution: the light poles, the fighter’s tail and the aircraft on ground do disturb your view quite a bit unluckily!
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm B738 on runway = 250mm / E145 on ramp = 140mm

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	Spot #6 – Abandoned trainlines – 23 Movements + Sécurité civile base
WHERE	Coming from the terminal, walk to the northeast along some carparks and pass a fitness center and the sécurité civile base on your right. Then you should see some abandoned rail lines on your right – cross these and head for the fence hidden behind the trees. Now you can nicely shoot from the fence here. You can also go to the fence front located on the sécurité civilé parking – during our visit there were some serious emergency ambulance transports, so we kept away from the base. This spot is easy to reach by public transport: just take the train from the city center or the bus and you will end up at Entzheim Aeroport station. Just pass the highway by using the bridge, continue till you reach the terminal and follow the instructions above. Arriving by a car you can either park in the terminal parking or around the train station maybe somewhere by the roadside for free.
WHAT	23 Arrivals and departures as well as nice views onto the sécurité civile air base just in front.
TIME	From later afternoon till sunset – in summer only.
MISC.	All you need can be found in the terminal a few minutes away. Ladder or at least little step needed though. The runway and taxiway are quite far away here so heat haze – especially due to the high grass in summer – is an issue here.
FOCAL LENGTH	Should be as well 100-400mm

During our visit, there were some serious emergency ambulance transports at the sécurité civile base, so we did not take any pictures here. If you were luckier, please let us know and we will be happy to add them!

	Spot #7 – Rue de Herons – 23 Arrivals
WHERE	North of the village of Entzheim, take the roundabout’s exit to “Rue de Herons” just a bit south and on the opposite streetsite of a Carrefour marche. Then follow this street for a loooong time, it will lead you along buildings and fences till you almost bump into the highway D400. Continue towards the arrival path and just search your favourite position regarding time and angle there then.
WHAT	23 Arrivals.
TIME	Actually all day as you can easily switch sides by just walking along “Rue de Herons” to cross the path.
MISC.	Absolutely nothing around. Take care not to break any entrance restrictions as some paths may be reserved for farmers or residents.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm C135 = 135mm / Puma helicopter = 250mm

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