La Palma Santa Cruz Airport - Spotting Guide

La Palma Santa Cruz Airport – Spotting Guide

July 29, 2020 - last modified on November 20, 2023

The island of La Palma is also called La Isla Bonita and one of the smaller ones of the canary islands with just 85000 inhabitants. The airport, which is located 10km south of the capital of Santa Cruz de La Palma, served 1.4 Mio passengers in 2018 and is not comparable to the big airports of the sister islands like Gran Canaria or Tenerife, which are hot spots for tourists. La Palma is not known for its huge beaches but for its vulcano, the mountains and a rich flora. It is a popular destination for hickers and friends of the nature.

The traffic is dominated by the inter canary fligts operated by Binter Canarias and CanaryFly, both using ATR turboprops. Otherwise the known charter carriers like TUI, Condor and low costs carriers easyJet and Norwegian serving the island all year round.

Written by Julian Mittnacht in cooperation with Dimitri Gabriel. Last Update: Aug 2021

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18/36	2.200 m (7.218 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	One for all operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Highly recommended. Only spot 1 can be reached by foot from the terminal.
Restrooms	Nothing next to the spots.
Drinks/Food	Nothing next to the spots.
Hotels	There are a couple of apartments and hotels just north of the field in the village of Los Cancajos where the planes will fly over your head.
Season	As usual on the canary islands there is no special high season. Charter flights taking place the troughout the whole year.
Runway Usage
18/36	36 is the dominating direction.

	Spot #1 – Sidewalk – 36 arrivals
WHERE	The location is on the sidewalk of the access road to/from the terminal. If coming from the terminal turn left exactly under the approach path of runway 36. You can park your car here on the gravelled area or drive down on “Camino la Bajita” and park there somewehre. By foot you can easily walk from the terminal on the sidewalk to this location.

WHAT	Arrivals on 36 only.

TIME	The location is perfect in the morning hours.

MISC.	Couple of light poles disturb the view. Otherwise all facilites are available inside the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	A320=120mm

	Spot #2 – Hill – 36 arrivals and departures
WHERE	If coming from the terminal or spot 1, dirve southwards and take the next right after runway 36 approch. Drive up the hill and take the next right. After 500 meters you will find a gravelled area to your right where you can park your car. From there you have a stunning view of the southern part of the airport.

WHAT	You are on an elevated postion and can easily catch all deparuters and arrivals on runway 36, latter with the ocean as a background. Parts of the southern ramp are insight too.

TIME	Light is perfect from afternoon until sunset all year round.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Parking space is limited for 3-4 cars.

FOCAL LENGTH	On runway: 753=150mm; ATR72=280mm Arrival: A320=200mm; ATR72=300mm

	Spot #3 – Hill – All movements
WHERE	The location is on a small gravelled area at the northern end of the airport. If coming from the north don`t drive to the terminal but turn right before the runway 18 tunnel and drive up the hill. Then you can see a small lay by for one car to your car. Park here and then continue by foot for approximate 100 meters southwards until you have reached the position to your left.

WHAT	Another elevated postion from where you can catch all movements. Perfect for 18 arrivals and departures but even 36 arrivals are possible as they will turn around infront of you. 36 departures are possible but the Binter props are already in the air.

TIME	Light is perfect from afternoon until sunset all year round.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Parking is very limited here, just 1-2 cars!

FOCAL LENGTH	Departing A320 = 120mm; ATR72 on runway = 140mm

	Spot #4 – Mirador del Aeropuerto – 18 arrivals
WHERE	The spot is an offical lookout called “Mirador del Aeropuerto” north of the airport. It is some kind of small park where you can easily relax and sit down whilst watching the traffic. If you arrive by car you can’t miss it as there is some kind of statue installed. Parking is available but limited.

WHAT	Best for all runway 18 arrivals and heavy 36 rotations.

TIME	Light is perfect from afternoon until sunset all year round.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Parking is limited.

FOCAL LENGTH	ATR72 = 200mm