Laredo Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Laredo Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

June 30, 2022 - last modified on December 20, 2024

Laredo International Airport (LRD / KLRD) is situated in southern Texas close to the border to Mexico and mainly serves the purpose of import and export customs clearance of goods transported from/to the United States. This means that plenty of smaller cargo aircraft – MD-83, DC-9, 727 typically being the largest and most common – of various cargo airlines visit each day, but don’t necessarily load or unload any cargo. Aeronaves with its MD-82/-83, DC-9 and CRJ-200 fleet of around 40 aircraft is the top dog at the airport.

Passenger traffic plays a very minor role, currently only four passenger airlines serve the airport frequently – American Eagle (DFW), United Express (IAH), Allegiant (LAS) and Aeromar (MEX). Charter carriers such as iAero Airways (733, 734), Global X (A320, A321) and World Atlantic (MD-83) occasionally show up as well.

Written by Thomas Okaty and Zoltán Péter Pásztor. Last change: December 2024 – Spot 3 checked, Spot 6+7 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18L/36R	2,510m /8,236ft
18R/36L	2,665m /8,743ft
14/32	1,807m /5,927ft
Terminals	One terminal with four gates for all commercial passenger traffic.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not recommended, though useful at spot #1, but should only be set up in very decent distance from the fence. Alternatively climb up on top of your car.
Car/Public Transport	A car is a must-have for various reasons: for commuting between the southern and northern spotting locations, for occasionally cooling off from the heat and for avoiding sunburn, and for using it as an elevated platform to shoot over the fence at spot #1.
Drinks/Food	Several fast food places and a H-E-B grocery store in walking distance from spot #2 (along E Saunders St). Various gas stations, restaurants and fast food places scattered around the airport within 5-10 mins driving distance.
Hotels	Several hotels located northeast of the airport along Hwy 59 (Bob Bullock Loop) and along I-35 (about 10-15 mins west of the airport). But no one offering a view of the airport.
Season	Year round, but best from November through March (milder temperatures, lower chance of haze). In winter, nights can get pretty cool (semi-arid / semi-desert climate). In the summer, temperatures can easily reach 38C / 100F.
Security	During our visit we didn’t encounter any problems, however, be mindful that plane spotting is not perceived as a common hobby in the US and even often is considered as a threat, so be cooperative if approached by any law enforcement representative.
Runway Usage
18L/36R	Arrivals and departures – used only by traffic going to / coming from the passenger terminal and eastern cargo ramp (FedEx)
18R/36L	Dominant runway for arrivals and departures – used by all traffic going to / coming from the ramp west of the runway, and occasionally used by traffic going to / coming from the passenger terminal and eastern cargo ramp (FedEx)
14/32	Only used by general aviation traffic and business jets

	Spot #1 – Parking Lot Airpark Drive
WHERE	This hassle-free spotting location is in the public parking lot at the end of Airpark Drive. Locals occasionally come here to hang out for a bit during the day. Police frequently passes by airside, but usually they mind their own business. You will need to stand at least in the window frame of one of your car’s doors to clear the top of the fence, however, it’s recommended to only get up to take the shot and then get back down to avoid causing any misleading attention.

WHAT	Sunrise until early afternoon: – Traffic on ramp and taxiway AlphaLate morning until late evening: – Traffic on taxiway EchoEarly afternoon until sunset: – Arrivals on 18R (lighter aircraft will vacate the runway via taxiway Delta) – Departures on 18R (lighter aircraft will already be fairly high) – Arrivals and departures on 36L – Arrivals on 36R (distant and rare) – Traffic on taxiway Golf. Except for the traffic going to the east side of the airport (American Eagle, United Express, Allegiant, Aeromar and FedEx) and also GA, all other traffic will pass by here.

TIME	All day, depending on position and angle.

MISC.	For taking photos of aircraft on taxiway Echo a lens with a small front diameter is required as you need to shoot through the mesh of the fence. Food, drinks & restrooms: a grocery store, several fast food places and gas stations are a 2-3 minute drive away (on E Saunders St).

FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm 732 taking off from 18R: 130mm 727 on taxiway Echo: 30mm DC9s on ramp: 120mm (Ameristar) & 300mm (Aeronaves)

: The Parking Lot

: View from the ground

: View from the car top

	Spot #2 – Airpark Cargo Area – Ramp Traffic
WHERE	Park / leave your car at spot #1 and walk between the cargo facilities to the fence. Larger aircraft like Everts Air Cargo MD-83 are parked here. Please keep in mind that this is private business property. In the southeastern corner of the ramp (along Bustamante St and N Jarvis Ave) there are smaller aircraft parked such as Saab 340, Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner and EMB-120 see sample image).

WHAT	Aircraft parked on ramp adjacent to Airpark Dr, Airpark Ct, Bustamante St and N Jarvis Ave.

TIME	All day, depending on position and angle.

MISC.	Photos were taken through the mesh of the fence. Food, drinks and restrooms can be found at the H-E-B grocery store across Bustamante St.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-200 mm

	Spot #3 – Fire Station
WHERE	This location is basically a number of options along the fence at the western apron front: you can either position yourself… 1. north of the Fire Station of the airport: the parking area here is almost fenced off, but there is a small gap where you can walk directly to the fence of the apron. 2. south of the control tower on a public parking area

WHAT	Ramp and nearby taxiway shoots only. Possible that the view is partially blocked by fuel trucks parked along the fence.

TIME	Best from afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	A small step is helpful to clear the fence but it is not very high. Live View works fine too.

FOCAL LENGTH	20mm for a 727 directly infront

Fire station:

Control tower:

	Spot #4 – Runway Approach Zone (Jacaman Rd) – 18R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located right at the edge of the approach zone for runways 18L & 18R and next to a 4-lane road. There’s no parking available at this location – park the car in the parking lot of the business (currently ROCK Fitness Center) on the corner of Jacaman Rd and Bartlett Ave and walk along Jacaman Rd to get to the spot (5 minute walk). Mind the often heavy traffic when crossing Jacaman Rd.

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 18R.

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Bring what you need. A few trees provide some shade. Occasionally passing cars will honk at you – just ignore them and make sure to keep some distance to the road. Do not enter the runway approach zone!

FOCAL LENGTH	MD-83: 100mm ATR 42: 160mm

	Spot #5 – Iglesia Emmanuel (Polaris Dr) – 18L & 18R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located in the parking lot of a church. Technically, it’s also possible to shoot from the open area next to the church property, however, we highly recommend to stay off that undeveloped field to avoid any encounters with potentially venomous wildlife. You can park your car in the lot, but be mindful of the fact that this is a private property, especially when there is a service.

WHAT	Arrivals on 18L and 18R.

TIME	From sunrise until early afternoon.

MISC.	Bring what you need. No restrooms. Keep in mind that this is a private property.

FOCAL LENGTH	Rwy 18R arrivals MD-83: 220mm CRJ-200: 300mm

	Spot #6 – Stadium carpark
WHERE	This position is literally the Uni stadium’s carpark which was publically accessible without a ticket or whatever during our visit. Just make your way to the front row of parking spots, climb your car and you are ready to go!

WHAT	Movements on 18L/18R runway and the taxiway infront.

TIME	From sunrise until noon.

MISC.	Bring what you need. No restrooms. A car is mandatory to clear the fence and your view properly. Heat haze is an issue, especially in summer and especially on the runway.

FOCAL LENGTH	30-250mm

	Spot #7 – Casa Blanca Rd
WHERE	This spot is a small bulge by the roadside of Casa Blanca Rd once turning souht towards Highway 59/Llody Bentsen. Simply pull over onto the sandy pit here, keep seated in your car till an aircraft approaches the spot and easiyl get out for some pictures.

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 36L/R and Line-Ups on runway 36R. Plus the taxiway movements around here.

TIME	From sunrise until early afternoon.

MISC.	Bring what you need. Be aware that you are standing right by a busy road here, so keep a low profile and be aware that police is being called on you by passing drivers. Heat haze is an issue, especially in summer and especially on the runway. There are no restrooms right by the spot, but the La Presa Grill is just down the road.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm