Palermo-Falcone Borsellino international airport is the main airport of western Sicily and the second in terms of traffic on the island. Every year more than 7 millions passengers visit the airport. Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, Volotea, Transavia and Easyjet have recently made up a big part of the movements at the airport, though national carriers like Alitalia, Air Malta, Air France, British Airways, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa have increased the number of flights. Airlines like Luxair, Tayaran Jet, Eurowings and Brussels Airlines only have a couple of flights a month towards the airport. Several executive jets land every day in Palermo too. Heavy aircraft coming to the airport are mainly Alitalia’s B772s and A330s. DAT serves the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa with its fleet of ATR72s. The airport is not really spotter friendly, but with some 300mm-lens, some patience and a portable fan (in order not to melt under the hot sicilian sun) you’ll enjoy your spotting trip!

Written by Riccardo Lombino (Follow him on Instagram). Last Update: August 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	2068 m (6784 ft) – Asphalt
07/25	3326 m (10,912 ft) – Asphalt
Terminals
1	Domestic, International and GA traffic
2	Converted to Cargo Area
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not allowed by the military that checks the positions.
Car/Public Transport	Car/Bike needed, no public transport available to the spots. Trains and Buses are available to get to the Terminal Building only.
Restrooms	Available at Terminal, at “Light Bar” (by the Esso gas station) and at the restaurants.
Drinks/Food	Available at Terminal and at “Light Bar” (by the Esso gas station). Nearest restaurants with airport view are “Ground” and “Villa Paradiso”. If you want to try fish-based dishes, “Vitina” restaurant is advised.
Hotels	Residences and B&Bs are available along Via Paolo Borsellino. Nearest hotels are in town of Cinisi. The Room #2 at the B&B Villa Rosa dei Venti has a large terrace with good view on landing and lining up runway 25.
Season	Traffic increases during late Spring/Summer. During July and August heat haze is intense (mostly 10AM-4PM).
Security	Military truck is constantly patrolling the road highlighted in the map. Take a valid ID with you and avoid getting caught while taking pics against the airport fence. Do not use a radio scanner in public, as it is illegal in Italy.
Runway Usage
07	Preferred runway during the day (10AM-10PM), both for arrivals and departures.
25	Preferred runway during the night (10PM-10AM), both for arrivals and departures.

Rocks By The Capers Bushes - Runway 25 Arrivals Afternoon

WHERE	Located just before the runway 25 Threshold. In order to get there, drive “Via Fondo Orsa” all the way down (passing spots 2 and 3). Once arrived at the big square with the dirt in the middle, turn left as soon as you enter the square, on to the gravel road and drive straight ahead. Once you see a cobblestone wall in front of you, turn left and follow the road until you reach the spot. There you can park wherever you want. This is one of the few spots where the fence is not getting in the way of taking pics in any way. There are two rocks near the fence side. Climb on one of them when taking pics.
WHAT	Planes approaching, landing and touching down runway 25 can be seen from here. Pics come with Mount Pecoraro in the background. Also, don’t forget that planes departing from the runway go on Taxiway Alpha, directly in front of the spot, so don’t forget to wave at the pilots, they’ll wave back!
TIME	From 2PM till sunset is the best time to spot here. No issues with heat haze in any season.
MISC.	You don’t need to worry about the military as they don’t ever go there.
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm for A320, 130mm for B712, 110mm for B738, 135mm for 734, 170mm for A319.

Via Fondo Orsa - Runway 25 Arrivals

WHERE	The spot is just below the runway the glide path of runway 25 approach. Just drive along “Via Fondo Orsa” until you see the 2 yellow lights poles of the Approach Lighting System. Park by the side of the road, but don’t stay for too long or you may bother other people.
WHAT	Planes flying overhead landing on runway 25.
TIME	From sunrise till sunset.
MISC.	Planes are flying at less than 100ft overhead, so the engines noise is pretty high.
FOCAL LENGTH	50mm for B738.

Cows Field Gate - Runway 25 Arrivals

WHERE	It’s located at the south side of the runway 25 approach glide path, at the start of “Via Fondo Orsa”. Enter that street from “Via Paolo Borsellino”. The street will make you have a forced turn to the right. Once you turn, there will be an empty street widening near 2 abandoned gates. Just park there. If the farmer comes, just say “Buongiorno” and tell him that you are just taking pics of the planes. He won’t bother you.
WHAT	Runway 25 Landings.
TIME	From sunrise until 2PM.
MISC.	There is a big tree just on front of the spot that can get in the way while taking pics. Try going on the street if you want to take pics, but you will probably miss the last moments before landing!
FOCAL LENGTH	115mm for BCS3, 55mm for B772, 110mm for B737, 100mm for B712, 85mm for A319, 100mm for A321.

Street Widening By RWY 25 THZ - All Movements Runway 25

WHERE	The spot is right by the threshold of runway 25. Drive “Via Paolo Borsellino” (coming from the highway exit) all the way along the airport fence. At the end the street will widen and then make a slight turn to the right. Park on the side of the road or at the street widening. There you can shoot thruogh the mesh of the airport fence.
WHAT	Planes landing on runway 25 touch down right in front of the spot. Also, aircraft taxing towards runway 25 can be seen, as well as them departing from the runway.
TIME	From sunrise till sunset.
MISC.	Remember to wear long pants/trousers and wear closed shoes, as there are some dead bushes with insects inside.
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm for E195 (on runway), 85mm for B738 (on runway), 240mm for A318 (on taxiway), 210mm for B738 (on taxiway)

White Walls - Runway 07 Departures on Hot Days

WHERE	It’s located after the runway 07 takeoffs rotation point. Drive “Via Paolo Borsellino” (coming from the highway exit) all the way along the airport fence. Once arrived at an alley called “Via dei Glicini”, park in front of the white walls. There you can spot the departing aircraft. If an heavy aircraft is departing, walk or drive some 80m/250ft further on the road westbound.
WHAT	Aircraft departing from runway 07 can be seen just after lift-off.
TIME	From sunrise till sunset, but pics will come out slightly dark in the afternoon. Editing will be needed.
MISC.	Try focusing the lens at the point of the fence from where the aircraft will appear while climbing. This will reduce the time that the Autofocus servo will need to focus the aircraft..
FOCAL LENGTH	150mm for B707 (Spot 5 bis), 150-250mm for B772 (Spot 5 bis), 110mm for A332 (Spot 5 bis), 115mm for 733 (Spot 5), 140mm for E175 (Spot 5).

Big Tree - Most Of Ground Movements and Departures Runway 07

WHERE	The spot can be found directly just after the rotation point of medium-sized aircraft departing from runway 07. Drive “Via Paolo Borsellino” (coming from the highway exit) all the way along the airport fence. Stop in front of the gate of the house with the red fence. If you want to take pics of aircraft on the ground (while taxing on taxiway Hotel and Tango) just cross the street (high-visibilty vest is highly advised) and shoot through the mesh. If you want to shoot departing aircraft, either stay in front of the red fence or walk some 40m/130ft westbound until you reach an alley. From there aircraft can be spotted easily too, especially if the takeoff run is longer than expected.
WHAT	From sunrise till sunset, but pics will come out slightly dark in the afternoon. Editing will be needed. Also, when taking pics on the ground, consider some heat haze from 11AM until 4PM.
TIME	From sunrise till sunset, but pics will come out slightly dark in the afternoon. Editing will be needed. Also, when taking pics on the ground, consider some heat haze from 11AM until 4PM.
MISC.	Don’t get caught by the military while taking pics through the mesh. They’ll get you in trouble.
FOCAL LENGTH	220mm for E190 (on taxiway Tango), 280mm for AT72 (airborne), 210mm for A320 (on taxiway Tango), 100mm for B77W (on taxiway Tango), 90mm for B712 (airborne), 200mm for A320 (airborne).

Field - Runway 07 Arrivals On Ground

WHERE	It’s located just perpendicular to taxiway Bravo. Drive “Via Paolo Borsellino” (coming from the highway exit) all the way along the airport fence. After some 300m/1000ft you will find an abandoned field on your right, separated from the road by a low stone wall and some rusty barbed wire. Stop the car by the side. In order to take pics, just wait for the aircraft to land (check fr24) and cross the street (high-visibilty vest is highly advised) and shoot through the mesh.
WHAT	Aircraft slowing down runway 07 and turning on to taxiways Bravo and Tango can be spotted.
TIME	From sunrise till sunset. Consider some heat haze from 11AM until 4PM.
MISC.	Don’t stay for too long near the airport fence. Local drivers will probably horn at you! Also don’t get caught by the military while taking pics through the mesh. They’ll get you in trouble.
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm for A319 (on runway), 70mm for B738 (on runway), 110mm for F100 (on runway), 220mm for A320 (on taxiway Tango), 125mm for DHC8 (on runway), 130mm for G550 (on runway).

Alley by the Big Trees - Runway 07 Arrivals On Ground

WHERE	The spot is before the taxiway Bravo runway turnoff. Drive “Via Paolo Borsellino” (coming from the highway exit) all the way along the airport fence. After 220m/700ft from the start of the road, you’ll find some high trees under which there is dark-green tarp with some yellow signs on it. Park by the side. Cross the street when the aircraft is about 200ft above the runway and wait for it to arrive, then shoot through the mesh.
WHAT	Traffic arriving on runway 07 (with full spoilers and reserve thrust) can be seen. Also, aircraft taxing on Tango towards runway 07 can be seen (with the sea in the background).
TIME	From sunrise till sunset. Heavy heat haze from 10AM to 5PM when taking pics of aircraft on taxiway Tango (no problems on runway).
MISC.	Don’t stay for too long near the airport fence. Local drivers will probably horn at you! Also don’t get caught by the military while taking pics through the mesh. They’ll get you in trouble.
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm for B712, 100mm for MD82, 85mm for B738, 100mm for A320, 120mm for CRJ9.

Street By The Airport Fence - Runway 25 Departures / Runway 07 Arrivals

WHERE	It’s located 500m/1500ft after the runway 07 threshold. In order to get there, you need to drive on “Via Aldo Moro” towards the airport fence and then turn left to “Via Giovanni Falcone”. Go ahead on that street. Turn right to “Via Rocco Chinnici”. Once arrived at the end, you will have a house in front of you. Go right and park where you can find some empty space. Then, head towards the airport fence. There, you can spot aircraft departing from runway 25. Spotting traffic arriving on runway 07 is also possible while shooting through the mesh.
WHAT	Runway 25 departures and runway 07 arrivals on ground can be spotted.
TIME	From sunrise to sunset. Heat haze from 11AM till 4PM can be experienced while taking pics on runway 07.
MISC.	Remember to wear long pants/trousers and wear closed shoes, as there are a lot of insects at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-80mm for B772, 60-70mm for B738.

Airport Parking Spots - Runway 20 Arrivals

WHERE	The spot is just left of the runway 20 approach path. In order to get there, follow the road signs to the airport. Once arrived at the roundabout from which the terminal can be entered, take the first exit (the second is to get to the terminal). Go ahead till you see the airport fence in front of you (there will be a military access point to the airport). On the right there will be a parking area from which aircraft can be spotted. Park the car where you can fins the lowest parking prices. Walk to the spot and wait for the aircraft to arrive.
WHAT	Aircraft landing on runway 20 can be seen.
TIME	From sunrise to 2PM. Taking pictures in the afternon is also possible (they’ll come out gorgeous after some editing) but at first they’ll be dark, as the sunset will set right in front of you
MISC.	Expect a lot of wind, especially during winter!
FOCAL LENGTH	150-250mm for medium-sized aircraft.

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