On the 15 of May (Friday) , I've travelled to Geneva for a weekend of spotting. I left Lisbon in the afternoon flying on HB-JZM. It was already night when I landed, but I still managed to see same bizjets, same of which were presented during the EBACE, that took place during the week. The weather forcast advise me for the possibility of rain, however I had two very pleasant days with Sun (I even got a sunburn...) and it only became cloudy on Sunday around 1PM, just before I left the spotting place to get back to the airport for the return flight.
For spotting locations at Geneva Airport every spotter not familiar with the airport should check the following website:
http://www.dpts.org
Runway 23 was in use all the time. The 1st spotting location where I've been to is not mentioned in the link above. To get there, exit the terminal (departures level) to the left. Go streight ahead, pass the Geneva Arena, then a tunnel, and after it will have the cargo terminal on your left. After the cargo terminal, the road makes a left turn and a right one, going parallel to a taxiway. There's a crossroad, and ahead you will see a bizjet apron, continue, passing that apron, and then, few meters ahead, there's a road caming from your right. That's the spotting location, where you can photograph RWY 23 arrivals and departures (be advised of same heat haze latter on)
For the afternoon spot, I found a different location of the one mentioned on the guide. To get there, continue walking around the airport, pass the RWY lights, and take 2nd to the right (the 1st one is right after the lights). Then you just have to choose a spotting location that suits you. I, for example, found same shadow under a tree where I layed down and rest whike there was no traffic. It was excellent since I was facing the Alps and everything seems so relaxing and calm. Where's a photo of the highlight of this trip:
On Sunday morning I went to a new spotting location, this time mentioned on the website. Will be very closed to taxiing aircraft. The following photos were taken with 100mm.
Now the traffic. Bizjets, lots of bizjets, that's why GVA is famous for. As for airlines traffic, there are same widebodys, like Etihad, Kuwait, Swiss (daily to JFK with A330-200), Continental, and recently United started flying from IAD with B767-300. Qatar also flies to GVA, but using an A319LR. There are several daily flight from the major European Hubs, with Air fFrance and Lufthansa playing a major role in the airport. What left me breathtaking were the 4 Tunisair A320 spotted on Saturday afternoon...
...and now same photos...
I was lucky to get same excellent weather while I was there. The landscape is awsome for spotting, as the light. Winter should also be interesting with many traffic associated with the Ski resorts.
Will be back for sure to GVA, but I still have so many photos to edit and also to show here.
Best regards
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