Cape Town Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Cape Town Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

February 13, 2021 - last modified on November 21, 2024

The Cape Town International Airport (CPT/FACT) is South Africa’s second busiest airport and handled more than 10 million passenger in 2019. The most common carriers at Cape Town International Airport – short CTIA – are South African Airways, Mango, Safair, Comair or Kulala with their plenty domestic routes within the country served on quite high frequencies. Aport from those, there are a few international airlines, too, like Qatar Airways, Air Seychelles, Emirates, Lufthansa or Air Namibia. While Johannesburg (where some intl. routes are flown via – e.g. Qatar and SIA) is rather South Africa’s gate in terms of transport and trade, CPT Airport is mainly served by touristic routes as it is very popular and also expensive destination for tourits from within and outside South Africa.

The airport is located 22km east of the center of Cape Town itsself between some high mountains, which creates a nice scenery at some points here. It was opened in 1954, modernized in 1997 and extended for the FIFA world soccer championship in the early 2000s. As of now, the runway is about to be replaced a bit more in the east, runway 16/34 is meant to be reconstructed thus the airport gains some more space for two new satelite terminals and apron parking area, which is needed in order to reach the goal of increasing the capacity to 15 million passenger a year. Let’s see when this will happen…

In this guide we wanna show you around CTIA and its safest spots. That is why some of our 19 spots (#5-6) are far off the airport area. You could stand right at the fence or at least more to the south of the spot we recommend now, but this area is just not safe enough in our eyes in order to allow foreigners a safe and comfortable experience as well. Nevertheless, we recommend you the follwing…

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is highly recommended to contact a local spotter before coming here as they know the local “rules” and what to do and where you should not go to.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Daniel Bierman, Rayno Snyman and Adam Lako. Last Update: November 2024 – Spot 7

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
01/19	3200m x 60m – Asphalt
16/34	1700m x 45m – Asphalt
Terminals
Terminal 1	There is only one terminal building, which handles all flights like THIS : Northern part – International routes Central part – Domestic routes Southern part – Domestic routes
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not recommended as safety services do not like that. So do not take ladders at CPT, maybe just a little 1-2 step for spot #2-3 if the concrete barriers are too high for you (you need to be at least 1,50m).
Car/Public Transport	Definitely needed. There is nothing such as safe public transport in South Africa if you travel with your expensive equipment. That is why one needs a car for both – a safe place to get back to quickly and in order to even be able to get around.
Restrooms	Only inside the terminal.
Drinks/Food	Inside the terminal or some nearby malls, but rather take all stuff with you in advance.
Hotels	Obvioulsy, this region has many hotels to offer, but there is just one airport lodge dircetly west of the terminal. No more airporthotels around CPT!
Season	The time around December has longer days and better light, but also a bit more heat haze. We still recommend around new year, when there are normally a few special charter flights from Europe or within whole Africa as people escape to the comfortable CPT region in the holidays.
Security	Things to be mindful about when spotting at Cape Town: Safety generally around the airport is not always the safest, always be mindful of your surrounding when out with your camera equipment. Rather do not come alone, stay close to your car and hide your camera equipment! The public spots off airport property are open to anybody and there is no extra security service comparable to the airport one’s, so be very careful then, but be very careful everywhere here when spotting! ACSA and Security staff are not always spotter friendly so be courteous and respect if they ask you to move along – this can occur at spots #1-4. A group of aviation photographers and spotters have recently started building a relationship with ACSA to try and better the circumstances and avoid confrontation, this has been worked on for a number of years, so please keep that in mind especially when asked to leave the area for whatever reason. Security staff may approach you with the question of: “What are you doing here?” Rather explain that you take photos of aircrafts and maybe show then a photo or two and avoid becoming defensive or hostile, this will result in them asking you to leave and possibly jeopardising the understanding in place. Keep in mind, when on airport property and surroundings you will be entering an National Key Point and the laws around National Key Points are very different, you also entering an aerodrome and will be subjected to SACAA regulations
Runway Usage
General Info	CPT has two runways, but normally just one is in usage.
01/19	Main runway handling 99% of all the traffic.
16/34	Not really used, just rarely by small props.

	Spot #1 – Terminal lookout – Middle terminal apron
WHERE	This spot can be found inside the airport’s central terminal on the thirs floor. Just get rid of your car, enter the building, make your way to the upper level and to the eastern window front there. Now you can easily search your favourite position along the glass here somewhere around Wimpy’s for example.

WHAT	From here you can nicely see the apron in front of the terminal’s middle section. In the background you can also see the runway, but this is mostly covered by some tails or poles.

TIME	From here you’ll have light from noon (around 2/3pm), till sunset. But aircraft while pushback or on parking spots may have light somewhen else.

MISC.	This spot is inside the terminal thus behind a row of windows/glassfront. So be aware of dirty glass most of the times. Maybe bring wet wipes to clean your area first. Security personnel is all around inside here normally, so security is no issue. Also Wimpy’s and all different restaurants are nearby. But reflections, haze and a blocked view partly by parked aircraft may be an issue.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-100mm A350 on ramp in front = 40mm

	Spot #2 – P2 Parking – 01/19 runway + nearby taxiways and apron movements
WHERE	This spot is located on the parking garage’2 P2 highest floor and can be found just west of the airport’s terminal. It can easily be entered as it is totally public and then just search your favourite spot along the eastern front on of the floors – (floors) 3 and 4 are best for spotting as your quite high there, although your view might be a bit disturbed on the upper floor (floor number 4) due to some sunprotectionshields and the concrete barrier at the eastern front.

WHAT	All activities on runway 01/19 and nearby taxiway/apron.

TIME	From here you’ll have light from noon (around 2/3pm), till sunset.

MISC.	You will find everything you need inside the terminal. Ladder might be useful, if you are smaller than 1,50m due to some concrete barrier at the deck’s edge, but apart from this not absolutely needed. Your view is disturbed by some poles and maybe parked aircraft, be aware of that! In addition, heat haze is a big problem around noon, but gets better in the evening. Departures are OK. Therefore security is no problem here, which is unusual in Africa. The garage is supervised by CCTV at some spots and a security service, who tolerats our hobby luckily! They sometimes pass and ask what you are doing here, but never sent any spotter away. This is a big advantage, if you compare the spot with arrival spots.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-400mm 737 on taxiway = 150mm

Unluckily we cannot offer any example pictures yet, but it shall look like THIS

	Spot #3 – P1 Parking – 01/19 runway + nearby taxiways and apron movements
WHERE	This spot is located in a parking garage called “P1” next to the terminal. It can easily be entered as it is totally public and then just search your favourite spot along the eastern front on of the floors – (floors) 3 and 4 are best for spotting as your quite high there, although your view might be a bit disturbed on the upper floor (floor number 4) due to some sunprotectionshields. You can park your car on level 3 easily and spot from there or go up to the 4th floor by using the stairs/elevator; this floor’s (4th) parking spaces are reserved for the staff!

WHAT	All activities on runway 01/19 and nearby taxiway/apron.

TIME	From here you’ll have light from noon (around 2/3pm), till sunset.

MISC.	You will find everything you need inside the terminal. Ladder might be useful, if you are smaller than 1,50m due to some concrete barrier at the deck’s edge, but apart from this not absolutely needed. Your view is disturbed by some poles and maybe parked aircraft, be aware of that! In addition, heat haze is a big problem around noon, but gets better in the evening. Therefore security is no problem here, which is unusual in Africa. The garage is supervised by CCTV at some spots and a security service, who tolerats our hobby luckily! They sometimes pass and ask what you are doing here, but never sent any spotter away. This is a big advantage, if you compare the spot with arrival spots.

FOCAL LENGTH	70–400mm 734 on runway = 300mm / IL76 = 125mm / 777 on taxiway = 75mm

	Spot #4 – Airport park field NW – 19 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at the airport’s northwestern edge and can be reached from the airport nearby highway M22. Just continue to the north from the terminals and turn off to the DHL storage in the airport’s northwestern industrial park. A bit off the main storage halls you will the find a quite flat/open and public field southeast of Bahrain Drive just next to the fence. Park your car nearby in reachable distance and then just shoot from around here – you can freely choose your position along the fence/arrivalpath.

WHAT	Arrivals onto runway 19 only. The angle (also featured in our example series) can vary quickly as you can position yourself along a long fenceline here.

TIME	From here you’ll have light from noon (around 2/3pm), till sunset.

MISC.	Keep in mind safety at this point as it is off airport property and thereby open to public. This spot is not very safe as it is close to some poor areas and informal settlements close to the airport’s northern end. So you should hide your equipment all the time and stay close to your car rather in order to avoid being the target of a robbery! Do not come here alone and stay together! However, it is close to the airport’s safe zone, so you may see some cars patroling here or you even may be questioned what you do here! Nothing around here, closest facilities are in the airport.

FOCAL LENGTH	Should be around 70-300mm

As you can see, the angle and thus view totally depends on where exactly you stand:

	Spot #5 – Superspar parking – 19 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is also a bit away the airport area located inside the parking of the century Super Spar parking lot in Cape Town’s borough Parrow. It’s exact address is “1 McIntyre Street”, which can be reached easily from the busy M14 street, which runs down here from spot #1 thus N1 freeway.

WHAT	Arrivals onto runway 19 only.

TIME	Sunrise till noon.

MISC.	Keep in mind safety at this point as it is off airport property and thereby open to public. However, this spot is still not too dangerous as it is no horrible area. Nevertheless, you should hide your equipment all the time in order to avoid being the target of a robbery! All shops or restrooms you need can be found in the nearby shops and restaurants.

FOCAL LENGTH	250-400mm B747 = 275mm

	Spot #6 – Urs Krige Dr – Airport Overview
WHERE	This spot can be found a bit off the airport territory on the Tygerberg’s southern flank. It can be accessed well from Freeway N1 as it is just located between M14 and M16 highways from where you can easily then drive to this spot, which is eaxctly located by the roadside of “Urs Krige Drive” just south of the Liquid Telecom property. You can just park your car by any side of the road here in the provided parking line and then just shoot from the elevated position here literally just the roadside.

WHAT	Actually no real movements, rather just a great overview over the airfield and its surrounding area, but the scenery is even more impressive when an aircraft lands on runway 19 just then.

TIME	Depends on the shot you wanna take, but around early noon you have the sun behind you.

MISC.	Keep in mind safety at this point as it is off airport property and thereby open to public. However, this spot is still quite safe as it is a good area. Nevertheless, you should hide your equipment all the time in order to avoid being the target of a robbery! Heat haze is a huge issue in summer here. No shops directly around here, rather a lot of guesthouses and highpriced properties.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm Airport Overview = 320mm / A346 head on = 290mm

	Spot #7 – Airport northern perimeter – 19 arrivals
WHERE	Leave the airport via the Airport Ring Road and take the loop to the left to join the M22 northbound. At Matroosfontein, turn right onto the M10, Robert Sobukwe Road and at the next crossroads turn right onto the M12, Stellenbosch Arterial Road. At the next crossroads, turn right again onto Erica Drive. Continue south on Erica Drive until reaching the security gate. Turn right onto the dirt track immediately before the gate and follow the bumpy dirt track to the spot. NOV 2024: the road turning off Erica Dr, running west along the fence got very bumpy and sandy, thus undriveable – the little hill shown below on the overviews cannot be reached anymore (by car). In addition, security service immediately approached spotters that spotting is no longer tolerated here. Be aware of that! It may be possible to stop along Erica Dr, but no clue whether spotting is allowed there!

WHAT	Traffic landing on Runway 19 with Table Mountain in the background; smaller departing traffic on Runway 19; (larger traffic will be obscured by lamp posts).

TIME	Mornings only.

MISC.	This spot is quite remote, though you’re unlikely to meet anyone else here. The guards on the other side of the fence may ask you to move on. There are no facilities here, so bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	E175: 350mm; 737-800: 300mm; 777-300: 230mm.