Planespotting Larnaca — LCLK
Larnaca is the main gateway to Cyprus and one of the most relaxed places in Europe to photograph airliners: aircraft landing on runway 22 cross the shoreline at Mackenzie Beach just above the sunbathers, and you can watch them from a beach bar. The airport has a single 2,980 m runway, 04/22, and 22 is in use almost all the time — around 95 % of days — so planning is simple. Runway 04 only comes into play in unusual wind and is worth chasing precisely because few people have it. Cyprus sits between Europe and the Middle East, which gives Larnaca a traffic mix you will not find at a typical Mediterranean holiday airport: Gulf and Levant carriers, frequent Israeli flights and European leisure airlines side by side, plus weekly cargo and military visitors that turn up year-round. A separate VIP terminal handles state visits, private jets and cargo. Summer is busiest, but the low winter sun from the south leaves the approach side poorly lit for part of the day.
- N696MY SF50 5 575 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 04/22 RWY 22 3,043 × 45 m · 9,984 × 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: 17:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody82%
- Widebody6%
- Bizjet5%
- Cargo3%
- Military2%
- Turboprop2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Mackenzie Beach
The signature Larnaca shot: runway 22 arrivals over the water and the beach, close and flat, with the sea in the background. You can set up at one of the bars or cafés along the sand and have food, drinks and toilets within a few steps. Early in the morning the holding point is also lit.
- Getting there
- Mackenzie area in southern Larnaca, a short taxi ride from the terminal. By car take the road towards the Salt Lake, then Piale Pasa and park near the roundabout. You cannot walk from here to the western beach spot — the airport fence runs into the sea.
- Best time
- Runway 22 arrivals from mid-afternoon to sunset in summer. In winter this side gets very little light.
- Lens
- 150–300 mm; a 737 on short final fills the frame at around 240 mm.
The Island Boutique Hotel
A sea-facing hotel in the Mackenzie area with an almost unobstructed view of the 22 approach, best from the upper floors. Every room faces the sea, and the hotel's private beach and pier work too. The easiest way to spot Larnaca on a family trip.
- Getting there
- Mackenzie area, next to the beach. Book a higher-floor room and say why you want it; the pier and beach are for hotel guests.
- Best time
- Runway 22 arrivals, afternoon and evening light in summer.
- Lens
- 150–300 mm.
Western beach by runway 22 threshold
The morning counterpart to Mackenzie: on the beach west of the runway end you get 22 arrivals and aircraft lining up, with the sun behind you. Police patrols have both tolerated spotters here and moved them on, so this is a spot for a low profile and short visits to the fence.
- Getting there
- By car from the airport: west on the B4, then towards Meneou and Pervolia past the tennis academy, and along the concrete coast road towards the water treatment plant; finish on the gravel track by the sea and walk along the beach. Do not go past the stop sign on the perimeter road and do not wade round the fence from Mackenzie. No shade or facilities — bring water.
- Best time
- Runway 22, from sunrise until early afternoon. Stay back on the beach between movements.
- Lens
- 18–300 mm; a wide lens helps for close line-ups.
Water purification plant field
An open field near the purification plant west of the airport, looking at runway 22 departures as they climb out. Quieter and less sensitive than the beach.
- Getting there
- Same route as the western beach, but turn off following signs to the purification plant and continue on the dirt track to the field. Car recommended; nothing nearby.
- Best time
- Runway 22 departures, from sunrise until early afternoon.
- Lens
- 200–300 mm.
Field by Herodotou Tennis Academy (runway 04 arrivals)
The spot for the rare days when Larnaca lands on 04. Aircraft come in over open fields south-west of the airport — a view of Larnaca that few spotters have in their collection.
- Getting there
- West on the B4, at the roundabout towards Kiti, then left on the F401 towards the Medieval Tower and Faros beach. After about 1 km the tennis academy entrance is on the left; park there and walk into the field to the south-east. Nothing around — bring supplies.
- Best time
- Only when runway 04 is in use. Sun is behind you from sunrise into the afternoon.
- Lens
- 150–300 mm.
Terminal windows airside
For passengers: after security, large windows overlook the apron. Spotters report a window near gate 46 facing east (afternoon light) and one near gate 26 facing west (morning light); the old end-of-pier view is now taken by a lounge.
- Getting there
- Airside only, with a boarding pass. Ask before photographing if staff seem uneasy.
- Best time
- Pick the window by the time of day — gate 26 side in the morning, gate 46 side in the afternoon.
- Lens
- 18–300 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
European leisure traffic dominates from late March to early November: UK, German and Scandinavian charter and low-cost flights such as Jet2, easyJet, TUI, Ryanair and Wizz Air. Local operators Cyprus Airways and TUS Airways add A220 and A320-family flying, and Aegean connects through Athens. Israeli carriers fly frequent services, and Gulf and Middle East airlines give the airport its crossroads feel. All year round you can expect interesting cargo and military movements on a weekly basis — the kind of C-130 and freighter visits Mediterranean holiday airports rarely see. The VIP terminal handles state flights and private jets.
What actually flew over Larnaca in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- A320 21.1 %
- A20N 21.1 %
- B38M 15.8 %
- B738 10.5 %
- B739 10.5 %
- A321 10.5 %
- P208 5.3 %
- AT76 5.3 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Larnaca?
Check the Spotterra live map — it shows ADS-B traffic over Larnaca and the bay in real time, with type, registration and route for each aircraft.
Which runway does Larnaca use?
Runway 22 on roughly 95 % of days, so arrivals come in over the sea and Mackenzie Beach. Runway 04 is rare; when it runs, head to the field by the Herodotou Tennis Academy.
Morning or afternoon at Larnaca?
Mornings belong to the western beach and the purification plant field; from mid-afternoon move to Mackenzie Beach, where the sun is then behind you for 22 arrivals.
Will police move me on?
Mackenzie Beach is a public beach and relaxed. At the western beach reports vary — stay before the stop sign on the perimeter road, keep back from the fence between movements and follow any instruction from officers.
Spotterra watches the sky over Larnaca
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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