Shanghai’s Hongqiao airport opened its new official spectator facility on 16 March 2010 on top of the new Terminal 2 building. Interestingly, this is the first official spotting location to be opened at any Chinese airport, and many hope this will pave the way for other airports to have such facilities incorporated – especially when new terminals and upgrades are built.

Terminal 2 is home to all domestic flights at the airport (apart from Spring Airlines), with international flights remaining at the older Terminal 1.

The new open-air spotting facility is on the 4th floor of the building with great views over the apron and runway beyond. It is 60 metres long and has a security check on entry.

To reach the facility, escalators from the check-in area will whisk you up in no time.

If you have any photos from this new facility, or experience from using it, please comment below.

Barcelona Airport has showed a step towards welcoming spotters by erecting a tower giving enthusiasts a great view over the runways and aprons.The tower has been put up by the airport authority AENA, and the local council in a bid to provide somewhere official for spotters to congregate.

It can be found alongside the threshold of Runway 25R, and will require driving or a lengthy walk to get there. However beggars can’t be choosers, and this really is the best spot for viewing and photographing aircraft at Barcelona, as the sun is always behind you.

A Spanish website has run an article on the spotting tower. You can read it here.

Following the petition held recently by aircraft enthusiasts in the Newcastle area to have a viewing area built, it seems the airport has finally given in and announced plans to build an area for viewing.

The airport recently bought the original 1930s terminal building and its owner Samsons Aviation on the south side of the airport. As well as developing GA and business flights, it will also add a visitors centre with a viewing area in the historic building.

This is great news for the area’s spotters, who have been deprived since the official viewing terrace at the terminal closed i 2003.

Geneva’s outdoor viewing terrace on the terminal is currently closed for building work to take place. It is unknown whether this will be a permanent closure or just temporary.

Anyone travelling for May’s EBACE will not be able to use it, however.

It is still possible to view from the bar and restaurant area, or the various viewing locations around the perimeter.