Taking off: Why planespotters are being welcomed by some airports

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Brussels Airport has spent a whopping €650,000 to build viewing platforms and facilities for plane spotting enthusiasts. It says it simply wanted to welcome those with a passion for planes, who may one day become pilots. As airport security remains tight, measures like this are receiving a warm welcome. FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet met with those passionate enough to get up before dawn to watch aircraft roll down runways.
A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett, Gaëlle Esso and James Vasina.
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[@exoressdelivers70]

Great. Hope it catches on. Brussels placed the platform well away from the actual runway so there are no security issues while allowing a great view.

[@airsideadrian]

In comparison to the Berliner BER, which is my homebase, this is awesome and hopefully the future for every airport

[@youtubeairways8646]

Av-geek approved 👍! This is not only an idea in Europe; Sydney airport has a dedicated spotting area like the one in this video called Shep's Mound. It would be epic to see this world wide 😄

[@poody771]

South Africa and Uganda too

[@gonnahavemesomefun]

"Av-geek approved" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@totallyskint5899]

More eyes on the ground to spot drones .

[@zurichairspotter9834]

ZRH is a nice airport for planes-otters good views.

[@eddiegremlin]

Nothing in the U.K? Have you been to Manchester Airport!! There’s not one but THREE places to view...

[@itsowen2113]

Edward Millership and a building blocking the view... go to the other side of the runway it’s a lot better view

[@eddiegremlin]

W67 So which of the THREE viewing points has a building blocking the view, of the RUNWAY viewing points?

[@itsowen2113]

Edward Millership they knocked 2 down and put a private terminal there leaving one mound which the building blocks a good part of the view

[@eaviationatyul9603]

There is amazing spots everywhere! Like in Montreal (a lot of spots), Sint Marteen (2 interesting spots), LAX, LHR, etc. But sadly, they can't review everywhere

[@JacktheG4m3r]

At Manchester I know the following places: Runway Visitor Park Southside (blast pad of Runway 23L) Pub (Runway 23R) Rotation point of runway 05R/23L

[@thisischetan]

in Mumbai (INDIA), it's strictly illegal to take pictures/videos of aircraft from the airport border. they just don't care about avgeeks

[@shahimagesyt]

Really? Lots of people take pictures at CSMIA. Theres a little hill right near the fence where you get a view of the departures. Police pass by a lot but have no issues with it.

[@greatunz67]

I find all this very surprising as i can clearly recall 9/11 and the fears afterwards that terrorists would try to shoot down airliners near airports. You would think they wouldn't want people anywhere near the perimeters for that reason.

[@evankeal]

There are so many (most if not all) runways accessible to camera or rocket angles. Having a designated area would be irrelevant, and I am guessing would be the last place anyone would choose. Planes are just as easy and more destructive to shoot down in flight near an airport as they would be on the runway. Why blow up a plane on the ground when you could hit the terminal from the same spot?

[@mylife1221]

more airports in the UK need to accommodate for spotters. my local airport, liverpool, only has a mound you can climb onto which isn't 100% safe (surrounded by brambles, no official way up) and it also has no amenities other than free parking.

[@ethan5947]

Heathrow needs this 😳

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Aviation Ethan Heathrow did have them 1950s to 1990s.

[@Afrocanuk]

It very obvious why all airports should allow pictures to be taken of aircraft coming & going.

[@vinceandreitangccss9340]

In Singapore, this is usually not the case. Sometimes we would be stopped and delete the photos on the spot

[@inspiritGalaxy]

is it illegal to plane spot in changi ?

[@msi4887]

That platform in Brussels looks quite far away from the runway.. looks like it also could have been much closer

[@GLAviation]

I have been there, it is absoluteley perfect for spotters

[@jonm6756]

Us spotters keep an eye on security also!!!

[@healthychick9450]

I like what they did at ORD, having spotters get badges so they can spot and also look for anything sus going on.

[@emmanities24]

We did have a Basic Safety and Security Operation seminar by the airport officials for us Planespotters. We were encouraged to report any troubles or suspicions around the airside.

[@privatepylesm14]

Its illegal to plane spot at my local airport (YBTL)

[@SabitTSDM07]

here in dhaka, you get kicked off all by taking 1 picture on a cheap phone. would much rather prefer spotting from home

[@j777barbasiewicz]

Not so rich like in Brussels but Gdansk in Poland also has such a place for spotters.

[@johnrellperez1565]

Here in Philippines, in NAIA. I used to spot close to the tip of the runway with a fence in between. But I still get whistled by the guards and kicked even if I'm across a public highway from the airport fence. I envy this airport plane spotters. :(

[@AviaZou7A]

In Southern there is no fence for the viewers :)

[@Yahya_sindhi1502]

Same at Johannesburg OR Tambo :(

[@steventrueman3493]

Guy from Leeds, have you not seen the aviation viewing park at Manchester, so yes, we do have something like that in the UK

[@gmnewlook]

Here in Montreal, Aéroports de Montréal set up Parc Jacques-de Lesseps next to runway 06R/24L back in 2012 with info on the planes that come to YUL. Also has stands and a big mound so that spotter can get a great view of the runway action and the planes taxiing on 10/28. Airports in the States should do the same instead of having security and police bullying spotters and chasing them away.

[@RailfanDdog]

1:45 he almost didn't even notice that 777!

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Ddedicated Viewing Plarforms are not new. Heathrow had them in the 1950s.

[@jermainesimmons2944]

Man, I wish my airport Hartsfield-Jackson would have something like this. Maybe a hilltop observation deck in the middle of the airport.

[@kpov2533]

If you go to watch then you are a spotter. Enjoy it 😁

[@terencegurung7979]

Wow...😍

[@fadlya.rahman4113]

KLIA have an indoor viewing area at terminal 1 called Anjung Tinjau. It has a nice view of aircraft parking area but a bit far from the Runway. But it has aircond and you are protected from elements. Then there's a Anjung Spotter, an outdoor viewing platform with roof next to Runway 32L. Kinda far away from the terminal and public transport hub.

[@brad727]

Strange how you need a permit to spot at CDG and not Orly (which has its own observation deck).

[@JacobNascar]

Come on Memphis International Airport/KMEM. Get with the program! We want a good and safe plane spotting location!

[@tsepheletseka5115]

Something like this is sadly a pipe dream here in South Africa. They hate plane spotters here.

[@diantownsend3350]

Flight Radar 360

[@cameraman655]

4:36 Huuummm…Manchester….?🤔

[@wingsavia3883]

my jetphoto profile : Sebastien David

[@Hanz.Thunder]

My local airport has no fences the only people outside are pilots mechanics owners and life flight pilots there’s lady’s that work at the front desk but they don’t come out to the hangars so I can’t see alll the sessan citation x and 172s all I want and one rare piper that is at the airport

[@Ozgrade3]

I'm a commercial pilot and flight instructor with 5000 hrs flying time. I'm also a plane spotter. It's so relaxing just watching the takeoffs and landings, i still love it. Interestingly, some airports actually facilitate plane spotters with airside tours and runway side photo events. It's also good for security, seasoned plane spotters can spot something, or somone who "doesn't belong" very quickly and notify the airfield operations. Nothing like hundreds of eyes around an airport.

[@Tal_Spotting]

W

[@davidcole333]

This is such a no brainer. Aviation as a whole has to do a better job of marketing itself.

[@a330neoaviation7]

There’s a observation park at Baltimore airport where I spot

[@TAMILRAILFANNINGFILMS]

Great

[@Dopef37]

Carspotting is more fun

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

This is so awesome!

[@CapB777]

Good stuff

[@HDCairnsAviation]

wish cairns airport had these

[@privatepylesm14]

bro it isnt even legal to spot in townsville

[@HDCairnsAviation]

@@privatepylesm14 yeah I uhm figured that out the hard way

[@privatepylesm14]

@@HDCairnsAviation what happened?

[@Pnw_Railfan_Aviation]

LAX is the best for plane spotting!

[@healthychick9450]

JFK would like a word....i have plenty of great spots, plus a great beach unlike Docwiler

[@Pnw_Railfan_Aviation]

@@healthychick9450 Yea but no In & Out Restaurant next to the Airport lol

[@Pilot_Jeff]

O'Hare is amazing too

[@SerielThriller]

Never trust a man who uses a nikon.

I have to say having previously flown on 737's the first time I walked towards boarding and saw I was about to board a 747 I was impressed. A 747 is more like a giant building and the idea that it can fly is mind bending. Then I got on the plane and flew away. I never felt the need to sit at the end of a runway gawping at them. What's the French for REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

[@megaloblabber2948]

Let people take photos man, that's how things can be preserved

[@ghostwave5252]

We all have passions, don’t criticise other people’s passion.