GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
EGYPT
Cairo – Dec 2019
LANDSIDE
Terminal 1 and 2 had no views landside. Terminal 3 had views of some stands from the surrounding roads. I wouldn’t plan a trip here without securing some time airside. Security is tight. On passing security into terminal 2 I was told to put my binoculars into my suitcase.
AIRSIDE
Terminal 3 used by Egyptair has good views of the main runway and most stands on this terminal. Most movements should be seen. Terminal 1 is not visible and neither are the Petroleum Air Services DH8 / DH7 or cargo.
Terminal 2 is a single pier next to terminal 3 and probably has the best views of the runway and some stands on terminal 3. Used by international airlines and not particulary busy. Egyptair use some of the stands as they are running out on terminal 3.
Terminal 1 seems to be other Egyptian carriers and has good views of these ramps. A left seat for arrival and right seat for departure is best to see the Petroleum stuff depending on which direction you taxi in. Saying that a left seat for departure is best for the stored aircraft. The military ramp is also opposite terminal 1 but I wouldn’t want to get caught looking at that.
A long transit in terminal 3 is probably your best bet here. I had 4 hours. The terminal is very modern with large windows and a nice seating / café area where you can watch everything from.
There are another 2 runways here but I’ve only ever seen them use the runway alongside terminal 2 and 3.
HOTELS
The Novotel near terminal 1 had no views but was a very nice hotel at a good price. If you plan on staying nearer to the pyramids then they are situated on the other side of the city, anywhere from one to two hours away depending on traffic.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Egyptair obviously dominate with a good chunk of the fleet on the ground early morning.
Petroleum A/S had several movements along with other domestic carriers.
The Biz park well out of sight along with some other aircraft possibly stored. A difficult place to get everything. Depends on your priorities. Egyptair or other stuff.
A right seat for arrival and left for departure is best for seeing the storage areas assuming you use this runway.
Storage area closest to 23C:
Looks like 5 T204s - SU-EAF from the colourscheme and presumably SU-EAG, EAH, EAI, EAJ
Looks like a derelict B707 and tail section of IL62 SU-ZDA
B737 Safi cls - Matches cls for YA-SFL
MS A320
All White A300/A310 - possible SU-MWA previously WFU here. Although it did have a pink tail.
B727 - Matches cls of TL-ADY
DC9 - similar cls as B727 above, can't figure it out yet. Looks like ex US Air with white tail.
B737?
Storage Area behind this opposite Petroleum A/S Ramp:
2 A300s in New Egyptair Cargo cls along with another parked near T1 - Should be SU-GAC, GAS, GAY based on colours and my database.
4 A321s MS - Should be SU-GBT, U, V, W
1 B737 MS Star Alliance cls
2 E170 MS
1 A320 MS
2 A340 Air Leisure - Should be SU-GBN and GBO ( SU-GBM is reportedly at Amman )
