Guide to Palma de Mallorca Airport

Contributors: Brian, dan330
Updated Sunday 5th June, 2011

ICAO Code: LEPA
IATA Code: PMI

Latitude: N39° 32' 47"
Longitude E2° 44' 8"

Sunrise Today: 07:51
Sunset Today: 18:14

Palma de Mallorca is the busiest of the "tourist airports" which you immediately notice by its size. A huge airport with two main runways that operate on a Heathrow like system of one arriving and one departing, with the odd aircraft ignoring the system. As the airport is so large and there are two runways, the lack of a spectators area around the airport buildings means that there isn't an area where you can view every possible movement, but at the two I describe below you will see the vast majority of them. Due to the wind direction, the runways used the most are 24L / R. 24L cannot be used for departures so all departures operate from 24R with most arrivals on 24L. During my visit only a handful of aircraft ignored the system by landing on 24R mainly domestic turboprops. When 06L / R are in use its mainly a case of 06L arrivals / 06R departures. Aircraft cannot land on 06R, with again only a handful of departures on 06L. With the airport being very busy with holiday flights most of the movements are charters, although heavies can still be seen as a lot of the charters use their wide bodies on certain flights in the summer. Friday, Saturday and Sunday tend to be the busiest days at Palma whereas certain other days in the week can be very quiet. There is also a big difference in flight numbers between seasons, with the summer peak season obviously seeing a lot more flights than the off-peak winter season. The two photo / viewing points I used are overlooking the two different runways and are facing opposite sides so photography will be possible from one area when it becomes impossible at the other. C'an Pastilla is the closest resort to the airport and there are plenty of hotels in the resort. The loud and popular resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf are about 30 minutes from the airport while the quiet and nicer Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia are the furthest away, a 1 hour drive required. For those who fancy a bit more luxury, the Marriott Son Antem Golf Resort and Spa at Llucmajor is only a 10 minute drive from the airport and offers 5 star comfort. A hire car is very highly recommended if you fancy using the sites mentioned above, theres very few options without a car.

Radio Frequencies Radio Frequencies

Approach: 119.4, 119.15 & 118.95
Ground: 121.7 & 121.9
Tower: 118.3

Fog Palma de Mallorca Airport Weather

All times on the weather descriptions are local

Observed at 08:30 - (16 mins ago)

Fog

-4°C

Freezing , Fog
Clouds: Few Clouds at 2,200ft
Wind: Calm
Visibility: 200m
QNH: 1026
Dew Point: -4°C
Runway in Use: Unable to determine, wind is clam

Movements

A sample of the upcoming movements for Palma de Mallorca.

We do not current have any movements for Palma de Mallorca Airport.

Photo Spot Spot A - Mound on East Side

This area overlooking 24L is best for photography in the morning, but is still possible up to about 1600, but care has to be taken that you don't get heavy reflections. This has quite a good view of the landing runway and shots can be taken as the aircraft are slowing down, some slower than others and so easier to take.

Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)

Latitude: N39° 32' 54" (N39° 32.905')
Longitude: E2° 45' 4" (E2° 45.06')

Photos

Photo 1619
Photo 1618
Photo 1617
Photo 1616

View more photos taken at this location

Photo Spot Spot B - West Side

Later on in the afternoon and once the sun has moved you will need a spot around the other side of the airport. It does appear to be some sort of official place but you will be absolutely fine here. A number of people have reported it as a good site and it seems to be one of the most popular. This is quite a way down the runway (24R /06L) and overlooks the terminal area where most of the domestic traffic park and a few international as well. This is a better spot for viewing and spotting but not photography is sometimes a problem as the majority of aircraft are up before they reach here (737's and smaller are usually up) although you may be able to get the odd good shot of aircraft on rotation.

Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)

Latitude: N39° 33' 19" (N39° 33.31')
Longitude: E2° 43' 25" (E2° 43.409')

Photo Spot Spot C - Spot C East Side

This spot is in a lay-by on the MA-5030 in the direction from south to north. It is ideal for landing shots when landing on 24L and logging also when taking off but aircraft are a little to high by this point for really good take off shots. Only really usable in the mornings due to sun position and obviously at the side of the road,noisy for video etc. There seems to be no restriction here, no signs of any kind and on the day I was there, Police vehicles drove passed but made not attempt to move me. A word of warning, park the car as near to the barrier as possible and be aware on opening doors that there is a cycle track between your car and the highway!

Sat Nav Co-ordinates
(Some locations may not be next to a road but the sat nav should get you pretty close using these co-ordinates)

Latitude: N39° 33' 11" (N39° 33.182')
Longitude: E2° 45' 55" (E2° 45.918')

Photos

Photo 22784
Focal Length: 225mm
Photo 22715
Focal Length: 135mm
Photo 22714
Focal Length: 135mm
Photo 22713
Focal Length: 130mm

View more photos taken at this location

Comments Comments About This Airport / Guide

Posted by: joe lane Ireland
Saturday 30th April, 2011 at 14:46 GMT
hi you all
i love palma airport both soptting there and flying in and out i normaly stay in palmanova and if i am not in the airport i can see the planes coming and going in and out of the athe nova apartments sea view apartments and i have a clear view of the planes coming in and out of the airport great for night spotting when you just want to put your feet up to relax this is a great site

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