Planespotting Leipzig/Halle — EDDP
Leipzig/Halle in Schkeuditz is Germany's second-largest cargo airport and DHL's main European hub, and it has more freighter movements than any other airport in the EU. Two parallel 3,600 m runways sit about 2 km apart: the northern 08L/26R, reached from the terminal by taxiway bridges over the A14 and the railway, and the southern 08R/26L next to the DHL and cargo aprons. Runway allocation is unusually unpredictable — passenger flights and DHL arrivals mostly use the northern runway, DHL departures and most heavy freighters the southern one, but in light winds aircraft may land from whichever side they arrive. The real action starts in the evening and runs through the night, so long summer evenings are the best time to visit. Spots are spread out and a car is almost essential. Security is strict: police may ask you to keep a metre from the fence, and after drone incidents in August 2026 you should expect closer checks.
- BCS1684 B752 3 250 ft RWY 08L
- BCS186 A306 50 ft RWY 08L
- FM7
- BCS7DP A321
- ADB5603 A124
- BCS7916 A306
- BCS9CG A306
- BCS2211 B752
Conditions right now
Runways
- 08L/26L RWY 08L 3,592 × 45 m · 11,785 × 148 ft concrete
- 08R/26R 3,592 × 60 m · 11,785 × 197 ft concrete
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: 22:00
Typical traffic mix
- Cargo64%
- Narrowbody22%
- Military6%
- Bizjet4%
- GA2%
- Widebody2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Visitor hill (Besucherhügel) on Ernst-Thälmann-Straße
The airport's visitor park with a viewing hill next to a large dome, overlooking the northern runway 08L/26R. Everything on the northern runway is in view, and the elevation makes it the classic place to watch the heavies; An-124s and even the late An-225 have been photographed from here.
- Getting there
- By car: follow the S8a/Schkeuditzer Straße past Freiroda, turn left onto the S1 northwards, pass the approach lights and after about 800 m turn left onto Ernst-Thälmann-Straße. Parking by the hill, with stairs and a step-free path. No toilets or food.
- Best time
- Summer only: sunrise until about 08:00 and from about 17:30 to sunset. In winter it is backlit all day.
- Lens
- 70–350 mm; about 200 mm for a 737.
S1 pavement (runway 26R arrivals)
The pavement along the S1 just east of the northern runway's approach lights. All 26R arrivals pass close by, and you can pick your angle by walking along it — or cross to the other side when the sun moves.
- Getting there
- Same route as the visitor hill, but after the approach lights turn right onto the K7432 and park at the roadside, then walk back to the S1. Traffic is fast — stay well away from the carriageway and do not block the side road.
- Best time
- Runway 26R arrivals; usable most of the day in summer by switching sides, and all day in winter.
- Lens
- 100–250 mm; 145–190 mm for an A320.
Wellerstraße fence (runway 26R line-ups)
Along the fence at the eastern end of the northern runway you get 26R arrivals, aircraft lining up from the last taxiway and late rotations off 08L.
- Getting there
- Follow Towerstraße from the VDA Technics area towards Freiroda and turn left into Wellerstraße. Park at the roadside where marked — driving all the way up is forbidden — and walk to the fence. A ladder is needed for ground shots; without one, use the easternmost position for arrivals.
- Best time
- Summer from about 09:00 to late afternoon; winter all day.
- Lens
- 18–300 mm.
Gate 63 (taxiway C)
Through the bars of Gate 63 you photograph aircraft taxiing on taxiway C to the 26R holding point at close range, plus 26R arrivals and 08L departures further out. A small mound a short walk east lets you shoot over the fence.
- Getting there
- From Wellerstraße turn left at the first crossroads and follow the road to Gate 63. Park on the small concrete pad on the left (about five cars), not on the road; when it's full, extra parking is under the bridge nearby.
- Best time
- All day in winter; on summer days roughly 09:00–18:00.
- Lens
- 20–300 mm; about 30 mm for a 757 on the taxiway, 160 mm for an An-124 on the runway.
Visitor terrace in the old tower
The former control tower, a tall red-and-yellow building between the passenger terminal and the general aviation terminal, now serves as a paid viewing platform over the southern runway 08R/26L and apron A1. The DHL area and the northern runway are visible too, but too distant for good photos.
- Getting there
- Signposted from the terminal; entry from outside at ground level, small fee, lift to the top. The terminal has its own S-Bahn and IC station. Check current opening times with the airport.
- Best time
- Summer from sunrise to about 08:00 and from about 17:30 to sunset; otherwise backlit, but good for night shots.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Field west of the WCC cargo apron
On the south side, where a temporary Amazon compound stood until recently, an open field now leads to the fence by the western WCC cargo stands. From here you see 08R arrivals, 26L departures and freighters parked on the apron, shooting through a tall but widely spaced mesh fence.
- Getting there
- Drive west from the terminal on the S8a towards the B6 and after about 4 km turn left onto the unnamed road to the parking area; avoid reserved bays. Spotter reports from 2026 describe the field as open — check on site.
- Best time
- Runway shots from about 11:00 to sunset in summer.
- Lens
- 100–400 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
DHL and its European Air Transport subsidiary fill the evening and night with A300-600Fs, A330Fs, 757Fs and 777Fs, joined by AeroLogic 777Fs on long-haul routes to Asia and America and Amazon Air flights. Other freighter operators include MNG, Kalitta and Polar, and outsize loads bring Antonov Airlines An-124s. Military traffic is a constant: US troop charters stop here, and LEJ hosts NATO and EU military flights. The passenger side is small — Marabu runs a base for holiday flights, with SunExpress, Corendon, Freebird, Pegasus, Air Cairo, Austrian and Lufthansa — and is busiest in summer.
What actually flew over Leipzig/Halle in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- A306 21.2 %
- B77L 18.2 %
- B738 15.7 %
- B752 12 %
- A20N 9.5 %
- B763 8.9 %
- A320 7.6 %
- A321 6.9 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Leipzig/Halle?
Open Spotterra's live map: it shows every transponding aircraft over Leipzig and Halle in real time with type, registration and route — ideal for working out which freighter is about to land and on which runway.
When is the best time to spot at Leipzig/Halle?
Summer evenings. Cargo activity builds from late afternoon and peaks at night, and long June days give you light until the evening wave starts.
Which runway should I pick at LEJ?
Passenger flights and DHL arrivals mostly use the northern 08L/26R; DHL departures and heavy freighters the southern 08R/26L. In light winds anything goes, so watch a live tracker.
Are there restrictions for spotters at LEJ?
Security is strict and has tightened after drone incidents in 2026. Stay outside the fence, keep back from it when nothing is moving, never fly a drone and follow police instructions.
Spotterra watches the sky over Leipzig/Halle
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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