Ponta Delgada Airport
| Continent: Europe | Country: Portugal |
| Ponta Delgada Airport | |
| Location | Azores, Portugal |
| IATA code | PDL |
| ICAO code | LPPD |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.ana.pt/portal/page/portal/ANA/AEROPORTO_PDELGADA/ |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | |
Official Spotting Locations
None.
Other Spotting Locations
EN1-1A Road
The EN1-1A road runs along the entire length of the airport and given the hilly terrain is placed well above the terminal and also above the western part of the runway. Coming in the direction from the city, you can stop near the roundabout and get pretty good, unobstructed views of the runway and aprons, as well as the terminal from the north-eastern direction
You can also continue past the terminal on your left (actually below you) and there is a small free public parking lot with a view of the terminal and aprons from the north-western direction. Any lens is good here as you are really close to the airport. The downside of the spots along the EN1-1A road is that for most of the year you are facing the sun. There are three solutions to this: (1) come early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is actually behind you (photo sample 1 - morning landing on RWY12). (2) take photos of aircraft on the apron (photo sample 2 and photo sample 3). (3) If you come at the time of year (June) when days are longest, you should be fine (photo sample 4).
Locations to Avoid
Location
Regular Traffic
Sata International - A310, A320
Sata Air Azores - ATP
Tap Air Portugal - A320, A310
Finnair - B757