LGG Spot 1
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- last modified on August 9, 2024
Liège Airport (LGG/EBLG) is situated in the community of Grâce-Hollogne which is 9km west of the city of Liège. It is a small provincial airport serving the east of Belgium and but Liege also has to offer a huge freight timetable and is one of Europeans busiest cargo airports.
In terms of passenger movements, Liege is surely a little bit more silent than his brothers Brussels, Amsterdam and Luxembourg. The only pax flights are offery by TUIfly Belgium to several holiday destinations.
Due to its perfect location in this ‘golden triangle’ between Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt, many cargo airlines have decided to serve Liege as their hub. ASL Airlines Belgium (former TNT) uses LGG as a hub. Further regular Cargo visitors are Icelandair Cargo, Qatar Cargo, Emirates Cargo, FedEx and Ethopian Cargo.
Written by Jan Seba, Jeremy Denton, Martin Rogosz & Severin Hackenberger. Last change: August 2024 – Spot 6 updated
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 04R/22L | 3.700 m (12.139 ft) |
| 04L/22R | 2.340 m (7.677 ft) |
| Terminals | One used for all flights |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Recommended, as you can use a ladder at every spot, But you can usually take photos without one, however rather limited, please read the instructions for every particular location for further information. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is very advisable. Some spots can be reached by public transport from Liege Railway Station. |
| Restrooms | In every publicly accessable building like restaurants or hotels and inside of the terminal building. |
| Drinks/Food | There are a few restaurants and shops nearby every spotting location offering supply of food and drinks. |
| Hotels | There is a Park Inn By Radisson directly at the airport with views of the runway and ramps (See spot 10) |
| Season | The traffic at Liege Airport slightly increases during the summer season while Jetairfly and other charters operates a few holiday charters as well as iFly charters are only operated during the summer season but the regular flights within Europe are steadily the same throughout the year. Also the freight sector does not show any significant changes during the year. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 04R/22L | Generally the only active runway and it is used in all direction for arrivals and departures. |
| 04L/22R | Only known to be used by light airplanes. |
Lawn along Rue de l'Aéroport - 04 Arrivals/Departures & TWY Movements off 22
| WHERE | Spot 1 is located next to a big parking lot for trucks. It is important not to park the car inside that parking area as it is a private property, it’s at your own risk. You a better to refer on the map where to park your car. When coming from the city or from any other destination and you are travelling on E25 towards Bruxelles, exit the highway at Exit 4 ‘Flémalle’. Once you have exited the highway, immediately take the first turnout to the right. Follow this road until you enter the roundabout. Take the roundabout’s terminals fourth exit to exactly come back onto the road you have come from due to a prohibition of turning right to the parking lot after the highway exit. Follow the road for another 1.2km and park your car along the road on the emergency lane. When coming from the terminals, simply follow Rue de l’Aéroport southwestwards for about 2.3km.
By public transport: Spot #1 is easily reachable by public transportation. Bus number 57 from Liege railway station goes +++ Update April 2023: Construction works are done, fences gone and…. photo holes installed! +++ |
| WHAT | Mostly for movements on the runway when 04 is in use and departures from 22 will usually be too high at this location, but it can be used for some head-on lift-off shots. |
| TIME | Summer: Sunrise until 14:00. Winter: Sunrise until 14:00. |
| MISC. | As of April 2023 there are 6 photoholes installed here now so a ladder is not needed anymore! During summer the lawn can be very high and cut of the wheels. There is nothing nearby, bring everything by yourself. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 40-200mm B772 = 45mm / A332 = 45mm / B744 = 40mm |
Photos taken through the holes:
Cargo Apron
| WHERE | The cargo apron is located right next to the Rue de l’Aéroport and you can stop your car here quickly. There is a double fence and it is almost impossible to take pictures. Only with a very very high ladder.
By public transport: Spot #2 is easily reachable by public transportation. Bus number 57 from Liege railway station goes to TNT HQ, which is just 5 min walk. |
| WHAT | You can take pictures of parked cargo aircraft. There are usually a couple of aircraft which can be photographed quite nicely. Sadly, there is one major downside to this location: A really high ladder is required, as there is a double fence which will strongly impact you pictures.We recommend at least 7 steps (the more the better) to get good shots. See example shots below, which were taken from the 7th step. Aircraft parked in the front are problematic and you will always have the fence in your shot, but aircraft further back are possible to get clean shots of. |
| TIME | From sunrise to mid-day in summer. |
| MISC. | Very high ladder is absolutely necessary. Don’t stay here too long. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Depending on the parking stand between 18-200mm. |
Spotting Mound - All 22L and Taxiway Movements
| WHERE | This is probably Liege’s most famous location: It is located northwest of a Park Inn Hotel. You can only reach this spot by foot. Parking on the hotel’s parking bay is fee-based (as of AUG2012). There are also some areas along the main road which can be used for parking free of charge. It is difficult to explain how you get to Spot 2 but the walking route is marked yellow in the map. From the main road you can also used the paved way if you do not want to climb over the hills on the marked route. |
| WHAT | All arrivals into runway 22L as well as taxying airplanes to runway 22L and the following departure of course. You can also look onto the Eastern Freight Apron where Bluebird Cargo jets are usually parked up. Photos are possible limitedly and will most likely have obstructions in the front (see example shot). |
| TIME | From sunrise to around 14:00 in summer. |
| MISC. | A higher ladder is required here with at least 4 steps. There is absolutely nothing nearby, so bring everything along what you may need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm Landing 744 side on = 80mm |
The Dome - 22L Arrival plus late Line-Up and Apron/TWY parts
| WHERE | This locations is easy to find when you start at the Park Inn Hotel. Just follow the Rue de l’Aeroport until you get to a big roundabout, exit to the left towards the new GAT and park in the parking just next to the new buildign. Then either walk up the hill to the southwest to spot #4a or once around the hangar onto the dome/meadow to spot #4b.
Be aware that recently a group of three spotters had issues with the security, claiming the area is a private property and that we are not allowed to stay or park the car at this area. We recommend that you just go, click what’s there and leave to avoid any issues. |
| WHAT | All Arrivals on runway 22L – sometimes you can also spot the aprons in front. |
| TIME | From sunrise till late midday for arrivals, in summer and winter. Line-Ups and parking apron is best in the summer morning till early midday. |
| MISC. | A ladder is required at spot #4a. There is a gas station nearby (marked on the map) where you can get small drinks/snacks and go to toilet. Heat haze on long shots can be a problem. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400mm 4a: B744 on stands = 30mm / B738 on stands = 40mm 4b: B777 = 105mm / B747 = 135mm / B737 = 190mm |
Spot 4A
Spot 4B
Soundproofing hills - 22L Arrivals
| WHERE | There is a green area in the town of Bierset where a hill offers a nice view onto the runway. When coming from Spot 1 and Spot 2, drive Rue de l’Aeroport northbound – you will pass the Park Inn Hotel and remain on Rue de l’Aeroport until you enter the roundabout. Take the second exit to join Rue Valise for 500m. After 500m, the next roundabout appears from which you must exit at the third exit to join Chaussée de Liege. Follow this Chaussee for 1.4km and park your car in the first street of the right hand side.
By public transport: This spot is reachable by public transportation as well. Buses number 83 and 85 from Liege, bus stop “BIERSET Rue en Bois UPDATE OCT 2023: Access to this location may be now questionable due to perimeter fence relocation and heavy vegetation in the area. |
| WHAT | Flight arrivals into 22L and line-up’s. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until sunset in summer months only. In winter the sun does not really turn on this sight. |
| MISC. | There is absolutely nothing nearby, so bring everything along what you may need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm; smaller planes e.g. Cessna planes are not to be photographed with 300mm |
Hill - Arrivals and Line up 22L
| WHERE | This spot is located on a high hill, spot 6A, next to the street after passing the final approach of RWY22L/R. Or you stay on a field, spot 6B, just next to it. You can park your car next to the road on the grass or infront of racing facility at gravel area and walk from there to the spots.
UPDATE JULY 2024: due to the heavy grown vegetation, it is almost impossible to make ground photos from the hill, Spot 6A. In winter it might be a bit easier. |
| WHAT | Arrivals and line up on runway 22L. Latter from Spot 6A, the hill. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until sunset in summer months only. In winter the sun does not really turn on this sight. |
| MISC. | Arriving aircrafts on RWY22L and also line up RWY22L. Take care of furious drivers and cars! Also take care of the downhill infront of you at the marked spot! Ladder is needed (2 steps are enough) due high rising trees. There is nothing really nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 90 – 300mm (Arriving Boeing 747 = 100mm) |
Spot 6A Hill
Spot 6B Field
Meadow - Arrivals 04R
| WHERE | This spot is located on a meadow next to “Rue du Bihet”. It’s no exact position rather an area depending on your favourite angle. Just park your car at the dirty area looking like a turning pad on the right side of the mentioned street. Then search your favourite position; Astral example shots are taken just next to the fence a few meters into north-western direction from the parking position (spot marked on map exactly). |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 04R only. |
| TIME | Best time in the summer evenings. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed, nothing really nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 300mm |
Roundabout - Arrivals 04R
| WHERE | This spot is located at an dead exit of a roundabout. Simply park your car at the marked and free parking area, which is located a few meters into western direction on “Avenue Theodule Gonda”. This spot can easily reached from the highway using exit 4 “Flemalle” |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 04R. |
| TIME | Light is good from sunrise (on summer days it might be 1-2 hours after sunrise) till mid afternoon. |
| MISC. | Take care of furious drivers and cars! Also take care of the downhill infront of you at the marked spot! No ladder needed and nothing really nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 300mm |
Farm road - 22L departures
| WHERE | The location is on a farm road at the crossing of Rue des Blancs Bostons and Rue du Radar. Distance from the runway provides “flat” angle for departing heavies and still does not require extreme focal length. |
| WHAT | Heavy departures from 22 only. |
| TIME | From late afternoon until sunset in summer months only. In winter the sun does not really turn on this sight. |
| MISC. | Please note that there is construction ongoing over Rue des Blancs Bostons that may prevent access to the place by car. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300mm for 747 |
Park Inn Hotel - 22L movements, 04R departures
| WHERE | Taking photos from Park Inn hotel is possible from higher floors. There are some rooms facing the airport and giving the view to runways. Hotel corridors have openable windows at the end that face approach path to runways 22 and making day and night photos possible of both landing and taxiing aircraft. |
| WHAT | Departures from 04. Arrivals on 22 and traffic taxiing out for departure from 22-s can be observed. View is partially blocked by light-poles and parked aircraft. |
| TIME | Light is good from sunrise (on summer days it might be 1-2 hours after sunrise) till mid afternoon. Night shots are possible too. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the hotel. Of course you have to book a room to use this location. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 300mm |
Hello !
For an independant documentary about logistics in Liège, we are looking for the best place to film a plane taking off from under, like in this image. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-under-a-big-jet-plane-taking-off-80296363.html
Which (public and safe) spot would you advise?
Thanks!
Hello,
you can try the road nearby spot 7 or between spot 4 and 6, depending on which runway in use.
But you will get arriving traffic easier and better in this position because departures are to high at the end of the runway to get pics as you linked.
Spot Nr.4: There has been built a new hangar which ist nearly completed. At the moment the tarmac in front of the hangar ist isolated form the airport by a fence which is disturbing for Line up and near apron pics.
For all other pics there are no problems through the construction works.
The best parking lot at the moment seems to be in front of the mini racetrack near spot 5 & 6.
I have been there three times in may and there was no problem at all in any retaltion.
At the moment it seems to be the only useable spot without a ladder in LGG.
Hey Bern, thanks for the info. I have updated the text. On google you can already see the new tarmac and I think the location is history soon.
-Julian
March 24 2021. COVID 19 rules For the moment : No parking for spotters at airport parking. ( Spot 3 ) Police was controlling and refused me acces to parking. ( she was friendly and polite but unrelentingly strict : no parking for spotters ) The parking of the Park Inn Hotel was free of charge, so I made use of it.
Regarding Spot 1: as of last Tuesday (Sept 15) construction works have begun on the dirt area that was used as a parking lot for trailers. It looked like they now build an „official“ parking lot out there. We could still access the spotting point from the road at the eastern end of the area, it even seemed to be ok for the workers around there. Let’s see what the future brings…
Great site, keep up the fantastic work!
Best regards, Arnd
Another update regarding spot 1: a new fence is build towards the 04R turnpad, which means that a part of the zone marked at Spot 1 is no longer usable…
Thanks for the infos guys. I left a note in the guide.
-Julian
It’s “partially available” at this time, “not available” would be a wrong summary for the situation.
On spot 3, the sign has been removed and no problem at all spotting there, there was not even a problem even with that very small sign..
Kind regards.
Thanks for the update Matteo.
-Julian
Spot 3 is now forbidden for “unauthorised people” , a sign has been placed so spotting there seems to be impossible. Based on own previous experiences with the security there, just don’t try it ! Picture of the sign can be found here > https://postimg.cc/x8bxBtJs
Very sad to hear that. We have left a not in the guide. Thanks for the info.
-Julian
Runway numbers are now 04/22. (21-07-2018)
Thanks to the info Arno, guide has been updated.
-Julian
Spot #4 is easily reachable by public transportation as well. Buses number 83 and 85 from Liege, bus stop “Grace-Hollogne”.
Spot #1 is easily reachable by public transportation. Bus number 57 from Liege railway station goes to TNT HQ, which is just 5 min walk from Spot #1.
Forgot to mention that Spot #2 is even closer to bus stop, so is reachable by public transport too.
Thanks for the infos Dmitri. We have just added the infos.
-Julian
Spot 5 is still available, you can also use the hill next to the railway track, just across the Chaussée de Liège from the race track.