Copenhagen Kastrup Airport
| Continent: Europe | Country: Denmark |
| København Kastrup Airport | |
| Location | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| IATA code | CPH |
| ICAO code | EKCH |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.cph.dk |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 118.1 (arrivals), 119.350 (departures) |
| Ground | 118.575 (taxiing southwest of runway 12/30), 121.625 (arrivals on apron), 121.9 (departures on apron) |
| Clearance | 119.9 |
| Approach | 119.8 (northwest, primary), 118.450 (southeast), 120.2 (director/final) |
| Departure | 120.250 (northwest), 124.975 (southeast) |
| ATIS | 122.750 (arrival), 122.850 (departure) |
| Plane Spotting Hotels guide | |
Runway Usage
Most days (about 60%), whenever the winds are westerly or southerly, runway 22R is used for departures while planes land on runway 22L. When the winds are easterly or northerly, departures are from runway 04R and landings take place on 04L. In both situations, depending on the traffic load, air traffic control might once in a while toss a landing in on runway 30. Other than that, runway 12/30 is only used in extreme situations such as emergencies, extreme wind conditions, runway closure due to snow, etc. This is due to the fact that the use of runway 12/30 will cause a lot of noise over the city, whereas both arrivals and departures using the two parallel runways primarily fly over the water.
If in doubt about the present runway usage, you can always listen in on the ATIS frequencies (mentioned above).
Official Spotting Locations
Flyvergrillen
Near the 22R threshold. A superb little burger bar that serves beer! You're higher than the taxiway in front of you so shooting anything that passes should be easy. It's nearly back lit all day but on long summer days it is excellent from around four a clock and until sunset. It takes around 30 minutes to walk from the terminal area, go past the domestic terminal (Terminal 1) and when you reach Gate Gourmet, turn left and it just straight ahead. Opens at 10.30 and closes around ten in the evening (during the summer anyway). There's plenty of free parking too, and if you use the viewing area you should buy something from the bar, but be warned - prices are high.
A hill south-west of Flyvergrillen limits view of the area where most aircraft rotate.
It's possible to take bus 35 from the airport (terminal 2) to Flyvergrillen - see Facilities and Transportation below.
For photographers, a 55-200mm lens will do for take-offs on 22R / landings on 04L and a 300-400mm to catch aircraft taxying from landings on 12 and 22L / 04R.
Flyvergrillen is marked as location A on the overview map.
Other Spotting Locations
Airside
The end of Pier B (T2/T3) provides a view of taxiing aircraft, however it faces south so the sun is a problem. Note that this area is beyond security, so only accessible for passengers.
Runway 22L Approach
Located on Kystvejen/Coastal Road. Catch them as they come in over the sea. A short walk from the terminal, taking you past SAS Technical Services hangars and a view over their apron. Alternatively, take the free shuttle bus from terminal 3 to parking area 17 (departs approximately every 10 minutes).
This location is marked as location B on the overview map.
Runway 22R Rotation point
Located on Englandsvej. To get here follow directions to Flyvergrillen (as described above) - instead of going to the dead of the road end, where Flyvergrillen is located, follow the round as it turns right. Continue on this road until you reach the junction - turn left and you will see the runway across the road (which is in a tunnel). If you go under and through the tunnel some very nice shots can obtained. In the late afternoon go back to the other side of the tunnel. You cannot park a car close to tunnel and you do have to negotiate a few lampposts. It's possible to take bus 35 to the intersection of Englandsvej and Tømmerupvej (location F on the overview map) and walk to the runway. Locations at each side of the runway (depending on the time of day) are marked as D and E on the map.
Runway 30 approach
Located on Kystvejen/Coastal Road. Catch them as they come in over the sea. Follow directions to RWY22L approach point and then continue another 2 kilometers, past the cargo facilities and the old SAS Commuter hangar. Takes at least thirty minutes to walk and since this runway usually only is used in high winds make sure to bring warm clothes. There is no shelter anywhere near, and there is nowhere to park a car. The free shuttle bus does not continue to this area, however, bus 35 goes right by it.
Location marked as location C on the overview map.
Runway 12 Approach
Located on Amager Landevej just next to the Gate Gourmet facility west of the airport terminals. See directions for Flyvergrillen as well as this spot is on the way there. Runway 12 is only used during extreme weather conditions or emergencies etc. This location is in urban area and as such there are shelter from the wind several places (bus-stops, petrol station etc.).
Runway 04L Approach
Located on Tømmerupvej. Located far from the airport terminal, in nice and quite country-side settings. Getting here requires you to go to the far south end of the airport (opposite of the terminal buildings). Walking is not suggested, as it would take a long time. Marked as location G on the overview map.
Locations to Avoid
There are not really any places to avoid. There are lots of local plane spotters and they usually get left to do what they please. Avoid stepladders near the perimeter fence as that will for sure trigger a visit by the Police.
Regular Traffic
SAS´ entire MD80 and Airbus fleet is based here. SAS B737s are rare. Most SAS wide body movements (both arrivals and departures) take place mid afternoon.
The Baltic countries have a strong presence with their airlines at CPH and occasionally bring in their smaller aircraft too.
Widebodies that fly into CPH on a regular basis include: Thai 744 - SIA 772 & 744F - Korean 744F - Air China 744F - Iran Air A310 - PIA A310 & 772 - Delta 767 and a few others.
Most of the common European airlines fly into CPH.
For a complete list of operators, see this link.
Facilities and Transportation
(See the overview map) A free shuttle bus departs from terminal 3 every 10-or-so minutes towards parking area 17, which is right next to location B. If going to location C, E or D or A, take bus 35 from the airport (departs around every half hour). If going to location E or D, be sure to get off the bus at location F and walk back to E or D (if getting off before, expect a long walk!)
It is possible to take bus 36 from the airport towards location G.
Note that bus 35 goes east around the airport (clockwise), so the trip to Flyvergrillen is a bit longer than it might seem at first.
There are several connections to the airport from Central Copenhagen, including bus 5A (departs practically continuously), train and metro.
It is recommended to use rejseplanen.dk (select English in the upper right corner) when planning a journey with public transport in Denmark. The site is run by the traffic companies, so it is updated with the latest timetables.