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 |
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 the general aviation area.
35L/R Take-Off, 05 Landing configuration:
For this configuration there are two popular spotting areas. Sun is on the east side at morning hours so IBB Florya municipal park is the most convenient place. It’s located at the sea side of runway 05 approach. For afternoon ‘Kelesoglu’ business centre is available, at this building there is a small balcony at 3rd floor. It’s in the buildings common use area. ‘Tarkim flight school’ also uses the third floor, so it’s easy to find that building.
17L/R Take-off , 23 Landing configuration:
When the wind is from south, Take-offs on runway 17L/R landings are on runway 23. Kelesoglu building 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 to IBB Florya park, from Ataturk airport, best and fastest way is take a taxi.
- To get to Kelesoglu Building, take a taxi to Flyinn shopping centre at Florya, the building is the second next building facing airport and you may look for big name *plate at the buildings.
Be careful about airport taxis, many do not like short distance passengers.
Official Spotting Locations
Atatürk Airport has no official viewing areas.
Other Spotting Locations
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.
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"
Spotting at LTFJ / SAW
Sabiha Gokcen is the another airport of Istanbul, growing number of traffic every year, It’s main base of Pegasus Airlines, second big user is the Anadolu jet. But unfortunately there is no good spotting place for both direction of airport. Airport security are not friendly, they are very unhappy with spotters. If you plan to visit around SAW expect a visit the security center.
- 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