Milan Bergamo Airport - Spotting Guide

Milan Bergamo Airport – Spotting Guide

January 18, 2020 - last modified on March 29, 2024

Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY/LIME) is the third busiest international airport in Italy. Even if it is just 4 km southeast from the city of Bergamo and 45km northeast from the city of Milan, it is promoted as Milan airport by Ryanair. The airport served 12.9 mio passengers in 2019. It’s the main Ryanair’s (Malta Air) base in Italy and they are responsible for the majority of the traffic. But there are some seasonal charter flights taking place in the summer months by various airlines like Neos or Alba Star to different holiday destinations.

During nights there are a few cargo movements by Star Air.

Written by Tombarelli Federico, thanks to Timo Friegg, Marco Papa and Marco Materllik for providing pictures. Last Update: March 2024 – Spot #5 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	2.934 m (9.630 ft) Asphalt
12/30	778 m (2.552 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	One terminal, usually charters use the parkings on the left
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is needed at spots 2 and partially 3.
Car/Public Transport	You can walk to spot1 and 2 from the terminal/NH hotel. For the other spots a car is useful as there is no public transport to these locations.
Restrooms	Nothing at the locations. Inside the terminal and in the “Oriocenter” super market behind the terminal and highway
Drinks/Food	Inside the terminal and in the “Oriocenter” super market behind the terminal and highway.
Hotels	There is a NH Hotel south of the terminal with access to spot 1 and 2 by foot. But there is no hotel we can recommend for photography.
Season	A lot of additional charter traffic takes place in the summer months as well as some movements due to F1 GP in Monza each september.
Runway Usage
10/28	Major runway for all traffic. Used in both directions and depends on the wind. 28 seems to be more in use.
12/30	Small runway at the norther side of the field and used by the local aeroclub only.

	Spot #1 – Parking Garage – 10 movements + apron/taxiway
WHERE	This spot is located on the top floor of a parking garage, which can be found west of the airport terminal. Just leave the terminal and follow the signs to the car rental centre, which will lead you to the parking garage, which can be seen quite easily anyway. Once you got there, go up to the top floor and search your favourite position along the front.

WHAT	Good for all activities on runway 10 as well as for most apron/taxiway movements.

TIME	From 10 till evening

MISC.	No ladder needed. Everything you need at the nearby shopping center such as restaurants, toilets or shadow. It is much cheaper compared to the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm Apron = ~50mm / Arrivals (infront of the hill) = ~200-300mm

	Spot #2 – Parking lot – 28 Movements + heavy 10 movements
WHERE	This spot is located in a free open parking between some factories near the end of runway 28 and called “Spot per vedere atterraggio aerei a Orio al serio”. It is more or less the “official” viewing location at the airport and from here you are absolutely free to stay, park and enjoy planes. To reach it go left leaving the terminal and follow the road until the last roundabout. Here take left again and continue for 2km. Than take “Via Tonale” and his bridge over the highway. At the end of the bridge you’ll find a road going forward towards the airport fence. Here you are. From the terminal: exit to the left and follow the sidewalk signs. Even if there is no sidewalk anymore (cargo area), just go straight! – It’s legal. You need around 20 minutes to reach the spot. Only go straight!

WHAT	Good for all activities on runway 28. Taxi, take offs and landings

TIME	From 10 till late afternoon. Backlit in summer in the morning and evening hours.

MISC.	The fence is pretty old but made of two pieces (so no chance to shoot thru), but one step is enough to clear it. There is a gas station Q8 with a shop a few steps south of the location. If you need a toilet, go to there. The toilet is at the first door between the shop and the wash area. Leave a little tip! 1 Euro should be enough.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm Taxiway = ~30mmArrivals/runway= ~100 for a 737/A320

	Spot #3 – Crash Gate/Park – RWY28 line up and arrivals
WHERE	Follow for Spot 2 but after crossing the bridge over the highway go right till the river. Here take the first closed road on the left, not the main one. Go a bit further and park the car there (look at the spot in the map). You just need to follow the fence with your ladder and you’ll find the gate. Don’t stay in front of the gate but to the fence next to it to avoid problems with the security. For arrivals cross the road and stay at the small park.

WHAT	Line ups from the fence at the crash gate and arrivals on runway 28 from the park.

TIME	For the line-up from sunrise to 10am during summer, in winter you will have like 1 hour of good light. For arrivals from 10 till late afternoon. Backlit in summer in the morning and evening hours.

MISC.	3 steps ladder needed. There are enough trees spending shadow during hot summer days.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-100mm Arrival: 737 = 80mm

	Spot #4 – Aeroclub – Light airplane ramp
WHERE	Parallel to the runway, behind the Fokker, there is the Aeroclub with his own small runway, it is like a different airport itself. To reach it you need to go all the way around runway 10, go through the village and follow signs to “Aero Club”. The easiest way is to set ” Aero Club Bergamo Guido Taramelli ” on Maps.

WHAT	All sort of light airplanes with some nice and rare props. Friendly staff.

MISC.	The way you can look at the runway is pretty bad for the sun position all day long so you might need to ask if you can access the apron or just take some good parked aircraft.

Here are some pictures taken at the Aeroclubs ramp.

	Spot #5 – Terminal – Apron
WHERE	This spot is located simply along the window front in the terminal. You just have to pass the security check with your boarding pass and then head for the window front somewhere between gate A2 and A9: examples were taken from gate A2.

WHAT	Aircraft moving on the ramp in front.

TIME	In winter all days, in summer from later morning till late afternoon. There will be some backlit in summer in the morning and evening hours.

MISC.	Nothing needed except a valid boarding pass! Everything else can be found in the terminal here. You have to shoot thru the glass which is normally kind of clean.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-100mm A320 on ramp = 70mm

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Marco Materlik

9 months ago

I was for 2 ½ days in BGY and I can really recommend the NH Hotel for spotting!
Yes, it’s a bit expensive. But you get what you need!

From the hotel to spot 1 you need about 10 minutes.
For spot 2 about 30 minutes.

About spot 1: There is a huuuuge shopping center called “Orio center”. Just follow the signs and you get what you need. (No expensive water like in the terminal)

About spot 2 if you have no car:
Just leave the terminal to the left and follow the sidewalk signs. Even if there is no sidewalk anymore (cargo area), just go straight! – It’s legal. You need around 20 minutes to reach the spot. Only go straight!
If you need a toilet, go to the gas station “Q8”. The toilet is at the first door between the shop and the wash area. Leave a little tip! 1 Euro should be enough. They were really nice to me!!

I can also really recommend spotting inside of the terminal. You just need a valid board card. I can send you some if you want 🙂 – New spot in the guide? :p

During night there aren’t many cargo planes anymore (6th sentence). Just three cargo flights of Star Air.
‘
Best regards!!!!

Julian

Admin

Reply to Marco Materlik

9 months ago

Hi Marco, danke für deinen Hinweise. Ich habe den guide mit deinen Infos aktualisiert. Für die Terminal Position kannst du gerne dieses Formular ausfüllen: https://www.spotterguide.net/guide-update/
Danke, Julian