Minsk National Airport - Spotting Guide

Minsk National Airport – Spotting Guide

October 10, 2019 - last modified on November 21, 2023

Minsk airport is located 40 km from the capital of the Republic of Belarus in the largest in of the country. Even if the titles suggest a national airport, MSQ is an international airpot and the main gate to the country. In 2018, the airport served more than 4.5 million passengers.
It is the home airport of Belavia, Genex(An-26), Transaviaexport (Il-76 and B747), RubyStar (Il-76, An-12) and BySky (Pilatus PC-12). Minsk is served mainly by airlines from Russia, such as Aeroflot, UTair, from Ukraine (Ukraine International Airlines), and airlines from Europe, such as Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Air Baltic and few others. Other international carriers are Air China on the A330 from Beijing and Etihad from Abu Dhabi on A320. Also often fly business aircraft. Furthermore there is there is an aviation plant №407 at the airport, which serves Il76, Tu-134, Yak-40, Yak-42. But many aircraft are at their end of life and stored in front of the terminal.

Online timetable can be found on the official airport website.

This guide is written by Dmitry Molokovich (local Spotter). Last Update: October 2019

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
13R/31L	3.641 m x 60 m
13L/31R	3.700 m x 60 m
Terminals	One terminal for all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed for spot point #3 only.
Car/Public Transport	Bus stop in the terminal to get to the airport but for the spots 1,2 and 5 you need a car.
Restrooms	Only at the airport.
Drinks/Food	There is a gas station and a small snack bar before the terminal entrance. (see map)
Hotels	There are no hotels around the airport.
Season	Winters are very cold, in summer very hot but spring and autumn has comfortable weather.
Security	There are no problems with police around the airport. Only if there are flights of the government be cautious.
Runway Usage
General Info	The use of the runways depends on the direction of the winds that can change at any given time. Usually one is in use for arrivals and one for departures but this can change from day to day. 31R and 31L bands are most often used, mainly when the wind is North or North-West

	Spot #1 – Dirthill – 13R/31L movements
WHERE	The spot is located on the back side of the airport. To get there by car start at the terminal and just turn left after the museum and drive all the way around the 13R runway. After you have passed it turn left at the next junction. Continue for approximate two kilometers through the forrest until you see a small unpaved dirt road to your left. Get into this an park as marked on the map. Because then the car can get stuck after bad weather. On foot from the terminal it is a 1-1.5 hours along this road. Not really an option. +++ UPDATE DEC. 2019: sadly this location has been demolished and is not available at the moment. There is no alternative for the moment +++

WHAT	All movements on runway 13R/31L. Takeoffs and landings can be made easily from this place in any direction.

TIME	In winter from noon but expect backlit in the summer from morning until noon.

MISC.	No ladder needed as you are on an elevated position to clear the airport wall. You are in the middle of nowhere so bring everything with you. At this point there is a small construction of logs and it is quite strong in the shade so the sun does not warms you up in winter.

FOCAL LENGTH	135-200mm

	Spot #2 – Forest – 31L arrivals/departures
WHERE	This point is at the end of runway 31L in the forrest next to the perimeter fence. Continue on the main road from #1 eastwards and turn left into a small unpaved dirt road after the big left bend. If you don’t wanna drive through the forrest and just wanna photograph the arrivals stay where the forest path begins.

WHAT	From here only landings on 31L will be visible. In rare exceptions takeoffs on 31L are possible but if the weather is sunny the heat blows up.

TIME	In winter from noon but expect backlit in the summer from morning until noon.

MISC.	Again you are in the middle of nowhere so bring everything you need with you. If it has rained, try not to go far on the unpaved road, otherwise there is a risk that the car can get stuck

FOCAL LENGTH	135-200mm Souther Spot: 73H=200mm; E170=280mm

Pictures taken at the southern spot (entrance to the forest)

	Spot #3 – Airport Parking – Taxiway
WHERE	This point is next to the terminal on an official parking lot and just a 5 minute walk. There is a pretty high fence so a ladder is needed.

WHAT	Views taxiing to/from runway 13L/31R

TIME	Only possible to photograph in the summer evenings from here when the sun is behind you.

MISC.	There is a water/food terminal nearby. A high ladder is necessary, or it becomes on the roof of the car. Chance of being send away from security is 50/50.

FOCAL LENGTH	90-150mm

	Spot #4 – Hill – 13L arrivals/departures
WHERE	This point is located on a hill near the end of the RWY 13L. You can get here on foot (15 minutes from the terminal) or by car. Do not believe Google maps (September 2019), the new asphalted road is already there. Turn right after the museum and then just left (it is behind the gas station). Continue for approximate 1km until you see the glade in the forest with a perfect sight onto the threshold. Just park along the road and walk to the spot.

WHAT	Takeoffs, landings and taxiing to RWY 13L.

TIME	In winter from noon but expect backlit in the summer from morning until noon.

MISC.	Open space and 10 minutes walk from there is a gas station with water/food.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-100mm to taxiway, 120-150 to takeoff/landings

	Spot #5 – Dirthill – 13L/31R movements
WHERE	This point is located on the back side of the airport. Continue on the road from spot #4 (do not believe Google Maps, there is no street below the runway) and drive all the way around the runway until the next junction. Then turn right and drive all the way down till the airport fence. Park your car at the road and walk leftwards to a huge empty area where you can look for your preferred position.

WHAT	From this point you can see all the traffic on runway 13L/31R no matter which direction is active.

TIME	From morning up to noon during the summer months only.

MISC.	Once again you are in the middle of nowhere. A lot of sand and dirt so use good footwear.

FOCAL LENGTH	125-180mm

	Spot #6 – Dirt Road – 31L arrivals
WHERE	From location #2 continue on the main road northwards, pass the approach of 31L and turn right at the next junction in to a sandy dirt road. Continue there for approximate 500 meters and park your on the side of the road. Avoid this road if it is wet but otherwise it is no problem.

WHAT	Arrivals on Runway 31L only.

TIME	From morning up to noon during the summer months only.

MISC.	Once again you are in the middle of nowhere. A lot of sand and dirt so use good footwear.

FOCAL LENGTH	CRJ200 = 280mm; 733 = 220mm