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August 3, 2017Leipzig/Halle Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on December 21, 2023
The Leipzig/Halle Airport is situated 16 km northwest of the city of Leipzig which means a 25 minutes ride by train or about 20 minutes drive if you travel by car. The airport in Saxony is mainly famous for its freight traffic and is a hub for DHL. But it also handels a few international flights within Europe or to holiday destinations. The freight hub is perfectly located next to the federal highways A9 which connects Berlin with Munich via Nuremburg and the A14 which mainly serves the north and east of Germany enabling freight companies to send their cargo from Germany to the world using the astonishingly big Leipzig Airport.
Not to disregard are 2.3 million passengers who travel through LEJ every year: It’s not just freight what makes the airport busy, it also serves Central Germany (mainly Saxony) as the gateway to their holidays. Condor, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, SunExpress, Corendon and many more offer regular services to European metropolises or holiday destinations including Bulgaria, Turkey or Tunesia.
Being the 13th busiest airport in Germany measured by passenger numbers is still some room for improvement but in terms of air cargo, Leipzig ranks second behind Frankfurt and there is some very nice cargo traffic besides the DHL movements. Some russian cargo aircraft are regular visitors in LEJ such as the SilkWay IL76s or the An124s from Volga Dnepr Airlines.
Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Henry Reichert, Stefan Bratner, Paul Kalbitz and Kevin Eickmann. Last change: December 2023 (Spot 7,11,12 updated)
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| Airport Information | ||
| Runways | ||
| 08L/26R | 3.600m x 45m (11.811ft) | |
| 08R/26L | 3.600 x 60m (11.811ft) | |
| Terminals | ||
| Terminal A | General Aviation only | |
| Terminal B | All Passenger flights (including rare Military flights) | |
| Airport Chart |  |
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| Spotting Information | ||
| Ladder | Only necessary at a few locations. See detailed description. | |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is recommended as locations are far apart and switching runway will take very long otherwise. Bus line 207 running between Schkeuditz and Delitzsch S-Bahn stations connecting the 08R spots, the terminal and the 26L. Futhermore ICE/IC and S-Bahn trains stopping at the directly at the terminal. | |
| Restrooms | Gas stations and restaurants around the airport. Restrooms are also available inside the terminal buildings. | |
| Drinks/Food | Around the airport are a few restaurants and a Mc Donald’s or you can get some snacks in the supermarkets. | |
| Hotels | There are just a few motels/hotels. No one offers a good sight to the airport. | |
| Season | We recommend visiting the airport during the summer as the air cargo jets are rather to be encountered at late evening. As sun sets significantly later in the months around June, spotting is more efficient then. | |
| Runway Usage | ||
| General Info | Spotting at Leipzig is a bit difficult as you can’t really say which runway a flight use. Apart from the wind direction, everything is possible! Check the NOTAM before you arrive. Sometimes one runway is closed or restriced. Use a flight tracking app. And even it is not allowed to operate, use an airband scanner.
When the wind is calm and traffic isnt’t too high, it is possible that ATC basically directed the aircraft to land in the direction they were coming from. Example: A 757 approaching from the east was cleared to land on 26L while only minutes later a Polar 777 coming from the west was cleared on to 08R. |
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| 08L/26R | Most of the passangers flights use this runway and almost all freighters which park at the VDA Technics arrive/depart on this runway. This runway is used by DHL (Arrivals), all PAX aircraft and most VDA freighters. Apart from those, the runway is used by almost all An12 and smaller freighthers like CargoLogic Air or Westatlantic Boeing 737s. |
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| 08R/26L | Almost all Kalitta and DHL freighters use this runway and most of the other freighters which park at the WCC. This runway is used by DHL (Departures), Polar, Kalitta and Southern Air Freighters, MNG Cargo and AeroLogic as well as ADB flights. |
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Visitorhill - Activities 08L/26R
| WHERE | From the terminal follow the S8a, which becomes the Schkeuditzer Straße later on, until Freiroda. After you’ve passed this little village, you will get to a big crossing. Turn left onto the S1 and drive north. You will pass the runwaylights pretty soon and after about 800m you will have to turn left agian, onto the Ernst-Thälmann-Straße. Follow this street until you can see a big dome on the left. Park your car next to it and climb up on the stairs or take the access for disabled. |
| WHAT | All activities on RWY 08L/26R. |
| TIME | In the summer from sunrise until 8 am and from 5.30 pm until sunset. In winter you’ll only have backlit. |
| MISC. | There is a parking area next to the hill (marked on the map). No restaurants, restrooms or similar stuff available there, take with you what you need! In the summer months you’ll maybe have heathaze here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 350mm
B737 = 200mm / An-225 (Nr. 1) = 150mm / An-225 (Nr. 2) = 80mm |
Sidewalk - Arrivals 26R
| WHERE | Follow the S8a, which becomes the Schkeuditzer Straße later on, until Freiroda. After you’ve passed this little village, you will get to a big crssing. Turn left onto the S1 and drive north. After you have passed the runwaylights turn right into the “K7432”. Park your car on the right (or whereever nearby by the roadside) and go back to the sidewalk of the S1 (marked on the map). Choose your favourite position along the sidewalk, this depends on the view you like the most – that’s why we have different angles in our example pictures! |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 26R only. |
| TIME | In summer almost the whole day as you can move to the opposite side of the runway when the sun has turned around. In the winter months from sunrise till sunset. |
| MISC. | If possible stay away from the street, because some drivers are driving very fast and dangerous there. Nothing nearby, so take with you what you need! Park your car good, so you don’t block the street/traffic – the roadside is just for short stops! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100 – 250mm A320 = 145mm / A320 = 190mm |
Taken from different positions along the walkside:
Airport Fence - Arrivals + Line-Ups 26R
| WHERE | This spot is located at the northern runway and similar to spot #11, but from here you can take great touchdown shots – from #11 not! It’s easy to get here if you have a car; Follow the Towerstraße from VDA Technics towards Freiroda and turn left into Wellerstrasse. +++ MAY 2020: Entrance is here now forbidden for cars, you have to park here and walk in! +++ Find your prefered position along the fence – depends on the angle you like to take pictures of! |
| WHAT | Arrivals and departures (if they use the last taxiway to line-up) on runway 26R and late rotates on runway 08L. |
| TIME | In summer days from around 9 till late afternoon. In the winter months from sunrise till sunset. |
| MISC. | Ladder needed. Nothing really nearby like restrooms or shops. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
Angle and background can vary depending on your exact position along the fence:
Gate 63/Taxiway C - Activities 08L/26R + nearby taxiways
| WHERE | Follow the Towerstraße from VDA Technics towards Freiroda and turn left into Wellerstrasse. Then turn immeadiately left again at the first crossroad. Follow this road to Gate 63 and park on the left side on a small concrete pad (space for around 5 cars), not on the road. Go to the gate and take your photos through the bars. Furthermore you can walk a bit eastwards till you arrive at a small mound from which you can take photos over the fence. |
| WHAT | Best for aircraft taxiing on TWY C for 26R departure. 26R arrivals and 08L departures are possible too. If the plane is on the runway usually parts are cut off if the lawn is not mowed. |
| TIME | Good light conditions all day in winter months, on summer days from late morning till late afteroon (around 9-18). |
| MISC. | If you want to get closer to the runway and avoid the trees, you can use a ladder. If there are really special planes, the place is always full. So if there’s no parking space left, turn left at the crossroad instead and turn right after crossing under there bridge, there you’ll find additional parking space. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-300mm (Taxiway: 30mm 757-300, Runway: 160mm AN-124, 220mm 737-800) |
S8a - 26L Line Up/Arrivals + 08R Departures
| WHERE | This spot is located either by the roadside of the S8a when crossing the other S8a part or along the fence infront (depending on your favorite angle/taste). Just get rid of your car in one of the nearby field entries where you can probably leave your car for a few hours. Then come back to this kinda “hill” or the fence from where you can take pictures, but some trees might block the view. Position can be chosen totally free along the road here depending on th trees and subjects around here… |
| WHAT | 26L Arrivals, Airplanes lining up for RWY 26L, heavy departures on 08R. |
| TIME | Only in the evening, the rest of the you’ll face backlight. If there are clouds, semi good photos are possible. |
| MISC. | If you want to get closer to the runway and avoid the trees, you can use a ladder along the fence. If there are really special planes, the place is always full. So if there’s no parking space left, turn left at the crossroad instead and turn right after crossing under there bridge, there you’ll find additional parking space. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm 130mm = 747-400 / 250mm = AN-12 |
Roadside/Hill:
Fence:
Field - 26L Arrival
| WHERE | This spot is no exact position, rather just the area southwest of the big roundabout just at the end of runway 08R/26L. When coming from the airport on S8a, you would have to take the first exit, but it’s forbidden to drive and park there. So now you have the choice where to park your car, then you can still position yourself freely around here.
A. Risk it and drive in the street towards the airport fence in the roundabout. There you can park on a paved area (actually forbidden to be in here with a car). Alternatively park next to the roundabout as marked on the map and walk to the spot. B. This option is next to some parking for the nearby Porsche factory. Park directly at the entrance (limited) on the side of the road and spot from there (security is no longer here as of may 2022). Due to growing vegetation parking is more and more limited. C. Follow the instructions to spot #7, but before you reach the hill on the small unnamed street, exit this street (leading towards DHL engine tanks) to the north onto a small dirty and bumpy fieldroad marked on the map. Drive in there, park in the next left curve by the roadside. You can also walk up to position A from here to get close. |
| WHAT | 26L arrivals will pass here. |
| TIME | Almost the whole day except early morning hours in the summer. |
| MISC. | The police checks for cars parked on the airport road regularly, so it’s better to stay away from it. A ladder is not necessary. Nothing nearby, so take with you what you need! Heat haze can be an issue here in summer. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Depends on where exactly you stand, but you will need 50-300mm (A = Hawker390: 400mm; Dash 8Q400: 190mm; Saab 340: 330mm / B – Tu204 = 220mm) |
Option A – Directly from the parking pad below the arrival path:
Option B – From the Entrance
Option C – From the field as marked:
DHL Hill - Arrivals 26L + Line Ups 26L
| WHERE | If you come out of the terminal, follow the S8a into eastern direction (heading to Freiroda). Just after you crossed two “planebridges” turn left (NOT to A14). Follow this road for about 1km then exit the roundabout at its 3rd exit (into Radefelder Alle). After about 1km turn right into Gesnerstraße. Follow this little road for 1km, then you should see a little hill on your right. Park your car somewhere there and climb this hill. To reduce heat haze on hot summer days you can follow the little dirtpath along the airport fence on the right till you get to an empty field. +++ Update December 2023: the hills fenced and entrance is forbidden for this area (see photos below). Future is unknown. Alternatively you may stay near the airport fence by the end of the way leading to the hills. A ladder would be needed here. +++ |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 26L and planes which are lining up on runway 26L (often Freighters). |
| TIME | In summer days from around 9 till 18. In the winter months from sunrise till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is nothing really nearby, so bring with you what you need. In the summer you should take care of Spiders, Beetles or other (maybe dangerous) insects, because the grasses might be quit high. In winter it is extremely muddy! Ladder not needed. Heathaze is a very big problem here, especially for Line-ups! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200 – 400mm B777 = 275mm / An-124 = 250mm / B747 = 260mm |
Situation as of December 2023
EAT Staffparking - DHL Apron
| WHERE | This spot is located inside the EAT Staffparking and along the nearby fence and can easily reached by Using the Bundesstrasse 6 (“B6”). Exit the street to “DHL Hub” and then take the third exit at the roundabout, where you can see a DHL tail in the middle. Park on the unpaved area or by the roadside next to the training center (actually no barrier and free of charge) and walk back to the fence. |
| WHAT | From here you have a great view of DHLs western Apron, where mostly MNG Cargo, West Atlantic and Aviastar are parking. Apart from this, you can see 08R Departures, if they already departed, because you can’t see the gears of aircraft on runwaylevel i. |
| TIME | Depending on the parking postion, but mostly light conditions will be better around midday. Only for freighters, which are parked at the western line in the south (like the ones in the example pictures) light might be also good in the evening, if you can walk to the northern side of them (possible for the southern 1/2 parking positions. |
| MISC. | Ladder senseless, due to a very high fence. Lenses up to 67mm wideness will fit through the fence, with bigger ones you’ll probably have vignetted shots. Everything needed can be found in the nearby villages. The staff parking west of the apron is signed as private and officially it’s forbidden to enter it as non-EAT-staff, but nobody cares. DO NOT TOUCH the fence. Security will come out and send you away. So stay away a bit all time and just go to the fence for some quick shots! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-400mm ~380mm = B757 departure / Distance and thus focal lenght for parking positions in front varies a lot – e.g. B757 on closest parking spot = 20mm |
Western side with the mentioned “private” parking infront of the fence:
Southern side:
Office parking - Activities 08R/26L + nearby Taxiway
| WHERE | This spot is located just next to the parking on a staircase or along the fence – whatever you prefer. To reach this spot exit the B6 onto “Industriestrasse” and follow the street for about 200 meter. Then turn right and immediately again left onto a parking area. On the left side you should see a long building and if you are right there is a stair(case) on the left side, too. Either go up there and you’ll be able to look over the fence (bottom will still be blocked by the fence when shooting big aircraft), or stay at the bottom and shot through the mesh along the fence. Parking your car is hardly possible here. Normally you will not have a problem here while parking anywhere in the front, but actually all parking bays are privately reserved for the police, customs and security services here. So the only position where you would park legally is the thin street south of the spot. |
| WHAT | All activities on runway 08R/26L and movements. If standing on the stairs the sight to the left is blocked by the building so its a bit tricky as you see the planes very late. Taxiway photos are possible from the stairs but its better to go down on the ground and shot through the fence. Otherwise you will have parts of the fence in the picture (see Kalitta photo). |
| TIME | In summer days from around 9 till late afternoon (around 18 o’clock). In the winter months from sunrise till sunset. |
| MISC. | Ladder uselss as the fence is very high (3 meters at least). Nothing really nearby, just inside the town a few shops/restaurants. No problems with security reported. Heat haze is BIG problem on warm days – especially on the runway. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-250mm Fence: B757 on runway = 160mm / B737 on taxiway = 100mm Stairs: B744 on runway = 120mm / B737 on runway = 240mm |
Fence:
Stairs:
Tor 71 - Eastern WCC Apron + nearby Taxiways
| WHERE | This spot can be found next to the WCC and the “Tor 71”. It’s again no exact position rather the area along the fence here, depending on what you wanna spot. |
| WHAT | You may be able to take pictures of the planes/freighters, which are parked on the western positions infront of the WCC hall from the blue fence/gate on your left. Mostly the view ono the ramp is disturbed by lots of foreground clutter. But apart from that you can see the nearby taxiway and the runwayend from here, too. |
| TIME | Better in the morning hours for parked freighters. Runway has light in summer days from around 9 till late afternoon (around 18 o’clock). In the winter months from sunrise till sunset. |
| MISC. | Heat haze might be a problem on warmer days. Ladder useful, but not indispensable. Everything like restrooms/snacks can be found in the nearby Mc Donalds. Keep a low profile (especially when carrying a ladder) as the guards of the gate on the right may get suspicious! This spot is mostly hard to use due to all the foreground clutter like trucks, ground equipment and cargo boxes. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm ATR72 = 100mm |
Amazon Warehouse - Arrivals 08R + Departures RWY26L + WCC Apron
| WHERE | If you come out of the terminal, follow the S8a into western direction (heading to the B6). The street leads you to the southern side of the airport, that’s why you have to exit the S8a after about 4km. Turn left into an unnamed road which leads you to a lot of parking slots. Park your car somewhere there, but take care of not Using reserved slots.
+++ Update December 2023: Constructions in this area are completed (See first photo below, google maps is not up to date!). There is a new bicycle path between this spot and the next one. You can now easily walk closer to the 08R arrivals from here. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 08R and Departures on runway 26L. Taking picture from the ramp is no longer possible. You can walk to the fence but the sight is completely blocked by ground equipment (see photo of the two A321F below). |
| TIME | On the runway you’ll have light from 11am till sunset (in the summer) and in the winter months from around 9am till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is McDonalds nearby, there you find food and restrooms. Haze can be an issue in summer and the arrival path may be hard to shoot due to all the light poles. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-300mm B747 = 140mm |
S8a roadside - 08R Arrivals + Line-Ups
| WHERE | This spot is located by the roadisdie of S8a and is no exact position, rather the area around here, where you have a good view and your favourite angle. Search your favourite position either north, below or south of the arrival path along the new bicycle path. You can also stand directly at the crashgate south of the arrival lights for Line-Ups. As of December 2023, there is a new bicycle path between this and the former spot. Now you can park at spot 11 and walk to this position as parking is very limited here and partially forbidden, at least on the airport side (no parking signs!). On the opposite side it is possible before the entrance to the water reservoir, but not much space. |
| WHAT | Arrivals onton runway 08R as well as Line-Ups (the ones turning in from the south). |
| TIME | Early summer mornings or late summer evenings. Unuseable in winter months. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Ladder might be useful to have a better view above the plants. Haze can be a huge issue on Line-Up shots unluckily (especially on hot summer days). Don`t block the crash gate! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm B744 side on = 80mm / 772 Line-Up = 300mm |
Kabelskebach pont - 08R Arrivals + 26L Departures
| WHERE | This spot is located at the end of a dirt path which can be reached from the S8a. Just follow the road (which starts next to some patrol tanks) till the very end and park your car there. |
| WHAT | Departures on runway 26L and sometimes arrivals onto runway 08R, too. |
| TIME | In summer days in the morning hours and evenings, but in the winter months you’ll have backlit all day. |
| MISC. | Nothing realy nearby, except the McDonalds a bit south of this spot. No ladder needed. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm |
Petrol tanks - A1 West + nearby Taxiway/Bridge + heavy 26L departures
| WHERE | If you come out of the terminal, follow the S8a into western direction (heading to the B6). After 500m you will croos a bridge and just after this you see some petrol tanks and buildings on your left. Exit the S8a there and follow the dirty path (on the right side of the tanks) until you get to the fence, where the pictures are taken from. |
| WHAT | Planes parked on A1 West and the engine hall. Taxiing planes from/to runway 08L/26R, if they use the western bridge. In addition also heavy 26L departures. |
| TIME | For parked and taxiing planes from around 1.15pm till sunset. Heat haze is an issue here, especially for the parked planes. |
| MISC. | Ladder is necessary otherwise the images will be vignetted. The Terminal is just around 500m away, so you can get snacks/drinks there. Restrooms can be found there, too. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-400mm B744 on apron = 90mm / An74 on apron = 280mm |
Airport police station - Apron A1 West + Taxiway
| WHERE | This spot is right in the fencecorner next to or even between the airport’s fire and police station. Just park your car somewhere in the area as you cannot drive up to the fence anymore due to some metal barriers on the strteet now. But once you got rid of your car or just stopped somewhere (mostly you will only spot here for a very short time), go to the fence and quickly take your pictures along the mesh. |
| WHAT | Activities on Apron A1 West or the taxiway behind. Also nice for night shots… |
| TIME | In the early morning and useable until midday and during night as well nicely. |
| MISC. | Ladder needed to get over the fence, but you can also easily shoot thru the mesh. Nothing nearby, parking very difficullt here. Keep a low profile (especially when using a ladder) as the guards/police may get suspicious! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm |
Visitorterrace - Activities 08R/26L + Southern part of the airport
| WHERE | The old tower is used as the visitor terrace today. It’s a pretty high red/yellow building which is located between the passanger terminal and the GAT. It’s pretty difficult to discribe how to get to this spot, but the building can be easily found if you follow the signs. It can just be entered from outside the temrinal facilities and only from the ground floor. Entrance costs 2 EUR per person and there is an elevator to get up to the viewing plattform. |
| WHAT | This terrace offers a great overview above the southern part of the airport. You can see:
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| TIME | In the summer from sunrise until 8 am and from 5.30 pm until sunset. In winter you’ll only have backlit. You can take good night shots from here. An example can be found HERE. |
| MISC. | You can either take the stairs or the elevator, this one is large enough for a group of people or disabled persons in a wheelchair. If you’ve entered the tower once, you can’t leave it without any further payment, so if you wanted to check the schedule inside the terminal, you need to pay again down at the entrance. There are no shops/restrooms on the top of the terrace. In the summer you’ll probably have heathaze most of the time. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm B757 = 300mm |
View into (south-)eastern direction:
View into south(-west)ern direction:
Parking Apron Northeast - A1 East
| WHERE | This spot is located at the fence next to the GAT and visitor tower. You can reach this spot easily from the terminal by foor and by car. The best position to park your car at for a short moment is the little dirty road or next to the hangar as marked on the map, because you aren’t disturbing anybody there. If you plan to stay longer drive to the “village” Kursdorf and walk back for 2-3 minutes. |
| WHAT | All planes parked on A1 East apron, which can be GAT visitors as well as freighters. And parts of the normal apron infront of the terminal as well. |
| TIME | Depending on the parking spots, but mostly better in the early morning or late evening. You can take good night shots from here. An example can be found HERE or HERE. |
| MISC. | Don’t block “Terminalring”, because it’s an firefighter entrance road! As of OCT 2020, the entrance to the parking was moved over here (see picture below)! So you cannot park here anymore at all, leave your car in Kursdorf rather ( some steps northeast) and walk back here! Ladder useful at the eastern and western ends, but not indispensable – in the middle is a jetblast fence and the airport fence is really high, so you can’t take any pictures there! Everything needed inside the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-150mm Blue AN12 = 45mm / A321 infront of terminal = 280mm |
Eastern side:
Western side:
Freirodaer Strasse - 08R Departures + nearby taxiway/bridge
| WHERE | Located at the end of Freirodaer Strasse this spot is very easy to find as you just have to follow the street till its end. Then just park your car by the roadside here and search your favourite position around here with or without ladder. |
| WHAT | From here you can see 08R Departures as long as they are in the air already; otherwise the gear is blocked by the grass at the bottom. You can also see the nearby taxiways and the bridge just next to you, but the gears are sometimes (especially in summer by long grass) clipped, too. |
| TIME | 08R and taxiway to the south: Early morning or late evening – only useable in summer. Bridge: From midday till sunset. |
| MISC. | Ladder might be useable to win some meters, where you can already see aircrafts, which are otherwise behind the fence. Nothing nearby, except shadow and parking possibilities. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-400mm B744 takeoff = 200mm / A319 on bridge = 90mm |
Taken form the street without ladder:
Grasshill - 08L Arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is a grasshill, which is located between railwaylines and a highway. You can easily reach this spot from “S8a” by following the dirtroad, which leads you to the other side of the grasshill (where the rails are on). There you’ll find a little hill on your right, where you can hike on to get a better angle (but it’s not that decisive). Parking is quite tricky here, because a sign says “Usage of the road is only allowed for abutters”, but we’ve never expirienced any problems while parking next to the hill with a few more local spotters. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 08L. |
| TIME | From late morning till late afternoon (around 9am – 5pm). |
| MISC. | Nearest possibility to grab food or find restaurants is the temrinal or the McDonalds to the south. Shadow can be find below the bridge, no ladder needed! The hill is full of plants, which might avoid the Usage in a few months/years. Take care of little insects and remind, that you might slip when hiking up/down – take care, so that you don’t hurt yourself or your camera equipment! To avoid all this you can stay at the ground, where no trains will come, no plants can disturb and you won’t slip that fast – decide yourself which position to use! Take care of the trains which are using the rails, because some of them are pretty fast and might cause an pressure wave! That’s why we recommend to look before you take pictures, so if a train is coming you can go down a few meters to avoid injuries! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400mm AN12 = 300mm / A330 = 230mm |
Parking garage - Activities 08L/26R + nearby Taxiways/bridges
| WHERE | This might be Leipzigs most famous spot! It’s located on the parking garage, which can be found (and entered from or) next to terminal. This spot is no exact position inside the garage, rather the front at the upper floors – northern and western end, both useable. The best floor to spot from might be the highest one; here it’s Floor 6. |
| WHAT | Northern end: All activities on runway 08L/26R, nearby taxiing aircraft, freigthers parked on the VDA-Technics apron and the famous bridge-crossers! Southern end: Bigger activities on runway 08R/26L, nearby parking aprons and taxiways. |
| TIME | Depending on what you want to take pictures of. Northern end: Runway and parallel taxiways have good light from late morning till late afternoon, VDA apron is mostly better in the evening/afternoon and bridge is good from sunrise till midday. Southern end: Runway and parking aprons infront have good light in early summer mornings and late summer evenings. |
| MISC. | Parking is free of charge for the first 10 minutes. No ladder needed, everything needed can be found inside the terminal and there is definitely enough shadow. Heat haze might be a BIG problem in the summer and also on warmer spring/fall days, but you should avoid this spot around midday anyway. From 15-20 degree celsius you have bad problems with heathaze here! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-500mm AN12 on runway = ~330mm / Bridge overview = ~120mm |
Unfortunately we can’t provide any of the famous bridge-shots yet, which look like this.
Northernd end:
View into eastern direction:
View into (north)western direction to the famous bridge:
Southern end:
Terminaldriveway - Activities 08L/26R + nearby Taxiways
| WHERE | This position is quite difficult to discribe. But if you are inside the terminal, walk to the northern end and exit the terminal there. Then use the bridge to cross the A14 and walk to the sidewalk on your left (marked on the map). As option ou can take pictures from the parkingbuilding next to the terminal where you are higher, so you can take pictures along the runway – from the terminal driveway some trees might disturb your view. |
| WHAT | Departures and arrivals on the northern runway (08L/26R) as well as taxiing aircraft. |
| TIME | Runway and parallel taxiways have light from 8am till 5pm in the summer and in the winter months from sunrise till sunset. |
| MISC. | In the summer (and also on warmer spring/fall days) you will have worse heathaze on the runway and maybe also on the taxiway like on the example picture. Everything you need is inside the terminal (like restrooms, restaurants and supermarkets). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100 – 250mm An-22 (Nr. 1) = 145mm / An-22 (Nr. 2) = 190mm |
VDA Technics - VDA Apron
| WHERE | If you come from the Terminal, drive northwards and then go down the driveway. Then turn right onto Towerstrasse and follow this road for about 200m. Park at the side of the road as marked on the map (or at the terminal, which is the safest option) and walk through the staff parking lot to the fence. Once there you can choose your favourite position, this depends on the view you like the most – that’s why we have different angles in our example pictures! You can also easily walk down the footpath from the terminal to the spot. |
| WHAT | This spot is very useful for cargo airplanes parked infront or next to the VDA Technics hangar, because they are usually parked in a good angle. |
| TIME | The planes are usally parked like the ones on our example pictures, so you will have light from late midday till sunset. It’s rare, but if a freighter is parked parallel to the runway you’ll have light from late morning till late afternoon in the summer and in the winter months from sunrise till sunset. You can take good night shots from here as well as you can see below. |
| MISC. | Terminal is just next to you so you can get snacks/drinks there. Restrooms can be found there, too. Ladder not needed, but very useful (otherwise your pictures will might be vignetted). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 30-150mm An124 face-to-face = 45mm / An124 close-up side = 80mm / White B737 side shot = 125mm |
Gravel parking - 26L Departures
| WHERE | This spot can be found next to a little football field south of the airfield. Once you are at the train station “Schkeuditz” leave Bundesstrasse S6 for Berliner Strasse (north) and follow this street for about 200m, then you will have reached an Y-junction where you will find the mentioned gravel parking from where you can directly spot already or move further up the road. |
| WHAT | You can only see 26L Departures here – only the ones in the air, you CANNOT SEE the runway itsself. |
| TIME | Only from later morning till midafternoon in summer. In winter all day. |
| MISC. | Nothing around, nothing needed. Just keep a low profile in order to avoid problems/complains by the football team/club. Haze can be an issue on hot days due to the distance. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 150-300mm B773 = 175mm |
Hi,
I spotted at Spot 4 not long time ago and the Airport Security told me that it is not allowed to Spot near the fence but they didn’t tell me why. But the thing is that you don’t have another choice but to do stand right at the fence because there are trees in the way..
-Lenny
Hi, first time I hear this. Usually there are no problems with security. Maybe it was their first day 😉
-Julian
An update regarding Position 7 (DHL hills).
Yesterday we found the hills completely fenced, no access possibly. Alternatively you may stay near the airport fence by the end of the way leading to the hills. A ladder would be needed here. However, as already said in the guide, heathaze is a big issue here.
Thanks for the update Andres, I left a note in the guide.
-Julian
Hi Question,
Are you allowed on the visitor’s apron without having a flight?
If you mean spot 1 and 16 then the answer is yes as described in the guide. There is no other option except bus tours arranged by the airport. But you are not allowed to leave the bus or walk on the airport itself.
Have a look here: https://www.mdf-ag.com/en/passengers-and-visitors/leipzig-halle-airport/shopping-and-enjoyment/guided-tours-1/
I have two updates:
Thanks for the Update Paul, is there a reason to visit the new hill instead of the existing one? This one is already far away from the runway and heat is an issue.
-Julian
Hi, I just want to give a quick heads up for people planning to spot at LEJ.
We´ve recently been there in foggy conditions with easterly winds and faced pretty erratic runway changes. There was a slight breeze from NE to E directions and ATC basically directed the aircraft to land in the direction they were coming from. Example: A 757 approaching from the east was cleared to land on 26L while only minutes later a Polar 777 coming from the west was cleared on to 08R. If the winds are only slight I´d always consider this option for the future – at least if the traffic isn´t too high.
Also, the dirt mounds between spots 11 and 12 can currently be accessed (the gate is open). Police / security do not interfere, I´d recommend wearing a high-visibility vest or something though – especially if it´s darker. The dirt mounds could be inaccessible Mo-Fr as there probably will be active construction work.
Best Regards
Hi Felix, what a mess with the runway directions! Switching around is nearly impossible. I add a note in the guide.
What are the mounds for? What can you see from there?
-Julian
To be fair, they will probably only be there for a short amount for time. It´s just rubble / earth from the nearby construction site.
A bit of a shame to be honest, it would be the perfect location for an official spotting point as you can overlook the fence completely and thus have an unobstructed view of the southern runway & in parts the south-west cargo apron. It´s perfect for 26L departures and probably even better for landings on 08R.
Update: The mentioned dirt piles / mounds are gone by now – construction has been completed.
Hi Felix, photographing the 26L line-ups is no longer possible or with a ladder now? 26L should be fine without one?
-Julian
Hi guys,
I found the following website, which lists the aircaft currently located in LEJ, wich is particularly interesting because of the cargo traffic there:
https://www.lej-spotter.de/spotterstuff/movements/
They also provide a cargo schdedule for DHL and Amazon, even if the one from DHL is form 2017. I don’t know how reliable all the information is, but they are also worth a look in any case.
Hi there, today i visited Leipzig and was at Spot 6 and 7. Both are still very easily accessible and on the field are only some small diggings going on. No fence nothing. Nothing to worry about yet.
Regards Timo
Remove the „Parking“ 6.3, it is the entrance to a construction work, so you will be sent away
Hi there,
we always parked on the grass next to the stone blocks, thus not blocked the road and never had issues there. Or did they start constructing along the road/trees now outside the fence, too?
-Severin
Hey, I parked in the grass there, but still got sent away and was told to drive to Parking 6.1/6.2
Thanks, will remove the parking.
As the southern RWY is currently only used and the northern one closed I visited the hill at spot 7. The hill is still there and it got also mowed. Also at the side showing to the fence there is now a kind of ramp (I guess it was used by the tractor to mow it. Now easy to go up there. Also parking along the dirt path is good as it has widen a bit.
Spot 13+14 the dirt path is getting in my feeling more hard to drive due the rocks. Be careful there when bypassing cars/people as stones can be thrown up and damage your car+others+people. I only drive there very slowly to not damage my car.
I also saw photos which where taken from the garden plot in the area Berliner Str/Kursdorfer Str. and showning planes on the taxiway going to DHL parking ramp. I have no exact position and have not tried it. I remember that fence there is a typical DHL fence means very high, no holes and no spots. Maybe someone knows it better.
I found a photo of Spot 11 amd the current constructions of the Amazon hangars. I guess spotting approaching or heavy departing planes is possible but not more.
https://www.flugzeugforum.de/attachments/baustelle-amazon-luftfrachtumschlagzentrum-16-06-2020-lej-small-jpg.1375778/
Or here uploaded:
Hi Stefan!
Thanks for the heads up but we can‘t open the forum as you need to be registered and cannot either see the picture on abload.
What was already adjusted, too.
-Severin