Marseille Provence Airport (MRS/LFML) is located 25km west of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, the Marseille-Provence (Marignane). The international airport MRS is the fifth-busiest airport in France with ~10 million passenger a year (2019). The main part of traffic includes european carriers on 737/320, however there are several flights on heavies (for example Ethiopian, Corsair, Air Transat). In addition – another very interesting thing – there is the Airbus Helicopters (former Eurocopter) plant. Permanently flying (Monday to Friday) helicopters are making the MRS traffic surprising.

Another interest are the cargo planes, which can be seen at the MRS apron (serving for Helicopter plant or just for cargo needs). In very early morning there are regular cargo scheduled flights of DHL, ASL, West atlantic airlines. Ocasionally, the fireguard planes can be based in MRS for a while. For visiting MRS, north or northwest wind is desired. Then the traffic is approaching RWY31s and there is a good opportunity to catch them from the Hill (point 1) or under the RWY31 glideslope (point 2). Also, the spectacular upper-view to the departing RWY31s traffic is able from the point 1 in this case.

Written by Aleksandr Listopad & Jeremy Denton. Last change: April 2024 / Spot 6 removed

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
13R/31L	2.370m – Asphalt
13L/31R	3.500m – Asphalt
Terminals
Terminal 1	All intercontinental routes and heavies as well as „high class“ Europeans.
Terminal 2	LCC only.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Helpful at spots 2, 3 and 7 but you can shot through the mesh.
Car/Public Transport	Car is recommended, public transportation is absent to the points so otherwise long walks are the other option to taxis/Uber maybe.
Restrooms	Nothing at the spots.
Drinks/Food	Nothing at the spots but plenty of restaurants and supermarkets around the airport.
Hotels	There are many hotels in the Airport terminal vicinity but no one with a special sight of the field.
Season	The best time of visiting Marseille for spotting is Autumn or Spring, where the skies are very blue and clear and it is not too hot. Summer is fine with its long daylight, but sometimes there is very hot weather and winter is not that good regarding light and weather.
Security	Normally, there are no issues with security/police. The security/police can increase attention to you during military planes or EL AL flights are coming, but generally spotting at MRS is not prohibited.
Runway Usage
General Info	MRS airport has mostly single-runway-operations.
13L/31R	This runway is mostly used for both: arrivals and departures in both directions.
13R/31L	Used if 31R is closed.

	Spot #1 – Hill – Almost all 13/31 runway movements
WHERE	This spot is located close to the Airbus Helicopters plant and is mound. It is a very beautiful location which offers upper overview of the entire airfield slightly from above. One can park its car by the roadside of busy D20 when taking the exit to D9 at the junction. Then there‘s some space on the right for some cars to be parked.
WHAT	Basically almost everything except some smaller aircraft which may vacate earlier: RWY31L/R arrivals/departures as well as an overview over the whole airfield.
TIME	From sunrise till noon.
MISC.	Nothing around here; no ladder needed. Heat haze may become a problem here.
FOCAL LENGTH	Arrivals: A320 = 150mm / Taxiway: E145 = 180mm 100-200mm

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	Spot #2 – Kids Park – All runway 31L/R arrivals
WHERE	This spot can be found just below the glidepath of the runway 31R/L – as you can see no exact position, rather the area along here regarding your favourite angle, position and light. This spot can be reached by driving towards Marignane Center on D9C. At the roundabout take the first exit on the small path on your right street name “Impasse de la Piste”. Drive until you arrive on a dirty area.
WHAT	Arrivals on 31 runways.
TIME	For arrivals noon till sunset.
MISC.	Heat haze may become a problem here. Nothing around.
FOCAL LENGTH	Arrivals: B77W = 55mm / Dash8 = 260mm 50-300mm (depending on the aircraft’s size)

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Copyright: Google Image

	Spot #3 – Bamboo forest – All runway movements
WHERE	This spot can be found in a small forest of bamboo near the airfield service entrance gate. Leave your car at the cemetery parking lot and then walk to the spot on the *Boulevard François Berenguer” then cross the road “D20E” and continue straight.
WHAT	All runway movements in both directions. Ladder recommend for ground shots.
TIME	From noon till sunset.
MISC.	Heat haze is a big issue here on hot days. Nothing around, don‘t block the street/gate with your car!
FOCAL LENGTH	Rwy13L departure: 240mm IL78 100-500mm

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	Spot #4 – Harbour – 13L/R Arrivals + 13L Departures
WHERE	This spot is located in the curve just by the roadside next to the sea, where „Avenue Henri Fabre“ and „Route de la Plage“ meet/end up. Take any of the streets to this point, which is near the airfield fence, and search your favourite position around here – car can be parked by the roadside.
WHAT	Arrivals: RWY13L/R — Departures: RWY 13L only (13R is covered).
TIME	From noon till sunset.
MISC.	Heat haze is a big issue here in summer as 13L is almost 1km away. Some restaurants can be found in the nearby beach area.
FOCAL LENGTH	Rwy13L: IL78 = 320mm / KC135 = 340mm / A319 = 410mm 200-500mm

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	Spot #5 – Roadside – 13L arrivals + departures
WHERE	Located along the coast of the Berre Bay in front of GA terminal, this spot offers various positions and thus angles. You can leave your car just in the harbour area where several parking areas can be found – there is even one just in-front/next to the spot. Then come to the marked spot where a little hill shall offer an elevated view.
WHAT	RWY13L arrivals and 13L departures (if they are big enough and don’t line-up earlier) as well as the nearby taxiing aircraft. 13R arrivals maybe possible from here as well, but are almost 1km away.
TIME	This spot cannot be used in winter. In summer from sunrise till late morning.
MISC.	Heat haze is a big issue here. Nothing around here.
FOCAL LENGTH	B738 = 140mm 70-400mm

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	Spot #6 – GAT – Cargo + GA apron
WHERE	This spot can be found along the meshed fence left/north-east of GA terminal, but is only a small part so you can’t vary your position a lot. Cars can be parked in front of the GAT and then just come here. Update April 2024: No longer available as the airport has put up iron walls to block the spotters.
WHAT	Form here you can view the Cargo/GA apron.
TIME	Late afternoon till sunset in summer only.
MISC.	Heat haze may be a issue here. Some foreground clutter can disturb your view in addition. Remember that you’re next to the GAT, so keep a low profile and rather don’t use a ladder. Just take your pictures thru the fence and stow your camera again!
FOCAL LENGTH	ATR72 just in front = 45mm / C17 = 100mm 30-200mm – heavily depending on the aircraft’s position and size

	Spot #7 – Parking – Cargo apron
WHERE	This spot can be found inside the parking of AMP Airport and is located just along the fence next to the Cargo apron. We are not sure if one can enter this parking without prereservation or similar, however walk in via the main gate and then turn off the left into southwestern direction. Walk till you end up at the fence facing the cargo area and search your favourite position there.
WHAT	This spot is for the Cargo apron.
TIME	This spot cannot be used in winter. In summer from sunrise till late morning.
MISC.	Heat haze may be a issue here. Some foreground clutter can disturb your view in addition. Keep a low profile, we don’t know how long the parking owner tolerates us. Ladder would be useful if you don’t wanna shoot thru the fence, but not recommended as one should keep a low profile here.
FOCAL LENGTH	B757 = 75mm / B737 just infront = 20mm 10-200mm – heavily depending on the aircraft’s position and size

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