Atatürk International Airport

Continent: Europe

Country: Turkey

Atatürk International Airport
Location	Istanbul, Turkey
IATA code	IST
ICAO code	LTBA
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.ataturkairport.com/eng/
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	118.1 121.8
Ground	121.8 121.9
Clearance	121.7
Approach	126.4 120.5 121.1 NORTH 120.5, SOUTH 121.1
ATIS	128.2

General Information

Taking photos of aircrafts are not forbidden, but most of people think it is a kind of crime. We have the same thinking in Turkey. On the background, In Turkey, civilian use airports are also under act of special security areas, these are all airports, ports, power plants, nav aids, etc. In these areas unauthorized entry is forbidden, at these areas the taking pictures of buildings are not allowed, but aircrafts are free to take pictures. So how we are spotting? Just stay away from the fences, or do not make yourself so clear to the security watch boxes around the airports. Better way is stay on the buildings, parks, forest etc surrounding airports. If you face a security staff, most possibly they do not aware of ‘photographing aircrafts are not forbidden’ listen them calmly, mostly they ask do not take photos, take a coffee break, if possible change location and continue in convenience.

Spotting at Istanbul LTBA / IST

Istanbul has three runways in open V style. If the wind is from north 80 percent of traffic uses runway 05 for landing and 35L/R for departures. In this configuration, private jets mostly lands runway 35L. (they vacate the runway at the end for general aviation area)

35L/R Take-Off, 05 Landing configuration. For this configuration there are two most popular spotting area. Sun is on the east side at morning hours so IBB Florya municipality park is the most convenient place. It’s located at the sea side of runway 05 approach. For afternoon ‘ Flyinn shopping centre ‘ is most convenient as comfortable place for spotting. On the second floor open terrace for smokers is very close and good for spotting to departing aircrafts and general airport traffic.

17L/R Take-off , 23 Landing configuration. When the wind is from south, Take-offs on runway 17L/R landings are on runway 23. Flyinn shopping centre is useful for take-offs, but for landings there is no good place. The APlus shopping centre and roads around at Atakoy might be useful for 23 landings.

How to get there

To get IBB Florya park, from Ataturk airport, best and fastest way is take a taxi. Alternate way is from the some parts of city take train called Banliyö ( French originated word for suburb ) leave the train Florya, again taxi to the IBB park.

To get Flyinn shopping centre, take a taxi to Flyinn shopping centre at Florya, be careful about airport taxis, mostly they are not happy for short distance passengers. Alternately, from the some part of city, take train to the Florya and taxi to the Flyinn shopping centre.

Official Spotting Locations

Atatürk Airport has no official viewing areas.

Other Spotting Locations

IBB Florya

You can take 05 and 35 landings photo from here

Sample photos

[1] [2]

Aerodrome Road

Near aerodrome road seaside, you can see aircraft on approach to runways 05 and 35.

Flyinn Shopping Mall

The apron is visible from Flyinn Shopping Mall. You can see runways 35L-35R and the apron.

Sample photos

[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Tarkim Flight Academy

You can get takeoff photos of runway 35R-35L and 17R from the Tarkim Flight Academy terrace.

Tarkim Flight Academy
All weekdays
08:00 - 18:00
Google Earth coordinates 40°58'26.72"N, 28°48'17.03"

• JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - Tarkim Spotting Location

• JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - Tarkim Spotting Location

• JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - 05 Approach

• JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - 05 Approach

• JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - 05 Approach seaside