Planespotting Ibiza — LEIB
Ibiza is a party island, and its airport behaves like one: quiet in winter with a handful of domestic flights, then from May onwards packed with jets from every corner of Europe. The single 2,800 m runway, 06/24, lies in the south-west of the island between the Ses Salines salt flats and the coast, and there is no strongly preferred direction — the wind decides, so check before you head out. What sets Ibiza apart from other Balearic airports is business aviation: dozens of dedicated bizjet stands opposite the old terminal fill up on summer weekends with everything from light jets to Gulfstreams, Globals and the occasional airliner-sized private jet. Add Swiftair's small turboprop freighters, an air ambulance and Air Tractor firefighters, and there's more to log than the low-cost diet suggests. Spots are spread around the perimeter with little shade, so a scooter, plenty of water and sun cream are the essential kit.
- NSZ2911 B38M 28 325 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 06/24 RWY 06 2,794 × 45 m · 9,167 × 148 ft asphalt
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 12:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody76%
- Bizjet15%
- Turboprop5%
- GA2%
- Widebody1%
- Cargo1%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Old concrete structure on the beach at the runway 06 end
A remote but rewarding position on a disused concrete structure by the shore west of the runway. Arrivals on 06 come in over the water straight towards you, and you can cool off in the sea between movements.
- Getting there
- From the PM-802 (Carretera de Ses Salines), turn onto the unpaved track beside the DC-10 club and follow the airport fence all the way to the beach; park beside the track and walk the last part. The distance makes a scooter or bike the best option. No shade, no facilities.
- Best time
- Runway 06 arrivals only, from sunrise until about 15:00.
- Lens
- 100–300 mm; about 160 mm for a 737-800.
DC-10 club track — runway 24 threshold
The same dirt track gives you close views at the eastern end. Where the metal fence turns to concrete, right by the 24 piano keys, a small gap allows one photographer to shoot through the mesh; 400 m further on, a rubble mound at the touchdown zone gives height over the fence.
- Getting there
- Turn off the PM-802 next to the DC-10 club onto the track along the fence and stop at the change from metal to concrete fencing. Remote: bring water and sun protection.
- Best time
- Runway 24 operations: arrivals roughly 09:00–15:00, line-ups from sunrise to mid-afternoon.
- Lens
- 50–150 mm.
Camí Aeropuerto
A small road along the fence on the north side, reached from the terminal access road. Evening sun lights up runway 24 arrivals, and turboprops make particularly nice frames here; 06 departures pass too, but are usually already high.
- Getting there
- From the PM-801 towards the terminal, take the southern exit at the roundabout and follow the road along the fence. A bus stop is nearby — the only spot practical on public transport. A two-step ladder, or standing by your car or scooter, gets you over the fence.
- Best time
- Runway 24 arrivals from about 17:30 until sunset.
- Lens
- 270 mm for an ATR 72, less for jets.
Carrer des Còdols at the western end
A road beside a drainage ditch with the airport fence beyond it, at the western end of the runway. Good for runway 06 arrivals in the evening light, and with some effort you can shoot taxiing and lining-up aircraft through a gap under the fence.
- Getting there
- From the airport drive west and turn south onto Camí des Còdols, continuing to the end of the runway; park at the roadside. Bring a two-step ladder for the arrivals. Long grass can block the low gap for line-up shots.
- Best time
- Runway 06 arrivals from about 17:30 until sunset.
- Lens
- 100–300 mm for arrivals (130 mm for an A320), 20–50 mm for aircraft on the taxiway.
Dalt Vila castle walls, Ibiza Town
Not a photo spot in the strict sense, but a superb place to watch runway 24 arrivals passing over the town and harbour while sightseeing. You may also spot helicopters operating from the superyachts moored below.
- Getting there
- Walk up through the old town of Ibiza (Eivissa) to the walls of Dalt Vila. Buses connect the airport and the town.
- Best time
- Runway 24 operations, any time of day; late afternoon gives the warmest light over the harbour.
- Lens
- 200–400 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
Ryanair, easyJet and Vueling carry most passengers, with TUI, Jet2, Eurowings, Condor, Transavia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss and many seasonal operators joining in summer. Air Nostrum and other Spanish regionals cover the mainland links that keep the airport ticking over in winter. The bizjet ramp is the highlight: on summer weekends it can be full, with light Citations and Phenoms parked next to large-cabin Gulfstreams, Globals and Falcons. Swiftair operates small turboprop cargo services to Palma, and the airport also hosts an air ambulance helicopter and firefighting Air Tractors in summer. Traffic falls dramatically between November and March.
What actually flew over Ibiza in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- B738 30.8 %
- A21N 15.4 %
- A320 15.4 %
- GLEX 7.7 %
- B38M 7.7 %
- DA42 7.7 %
- M20T 7.7 %
- C25B 7.7 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Ibiza?
Spotterra's live map tracks every aircraft over Ibiza in real time — from Ryanair 737s to private Globals heading for the bizjet ramp — with type, registration and route. Free in any browser, based on ADS-B.
Which runway does Ibiza use?
There's one runway, 06/24, and neither direction dominates — it depends on the wind on the day. Runway 24 arrivals come in over Ibiza Town and Platja d'en Bossa, runway 06 arrivals over the sea from the west.
Can I watch aircraft inside the terminal?
Yes, but only after security: an airside seating area on the first floor overlooks the runway and the western apron entrance. You'll be shooting through glass, often in heat haze.
When is the best time to visit Ibiza for spotting?
June to September, and especially weekends, when holiday flights and private jets peak. In winter the airport is very quiet, with mostly domestic flights.
Spotterra watches the sky over Ibiza
A live ADS-B map of your area and smart alerts on military transports, warbirds and rare types — with 10–30 minutes lead on long-haul arrivals. Free forever, no card.
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