When you visit a country, why do you go? Some go for the culture, some go to relax, and some go for the food. A lot of people visit countries to see landmarks and points of interest. So, what happens when the point of interest is the airport itself?
Discover five of the world’s most unique airports, ranging from the smallest runways to the highest mountains, and even a beach getaway. All unique, some dangerous, in their own way.
Courchevel Altiport, France
This airport ticks off everything on our list: beautiful views, a strange runway, and one-of-a-kind. This airport may be one of the most unique airports in the world.
Residing in the French Alps, this altiport owns one of the shortest runways in the world, measured at 537 metres (1,762 ft). Not only that but the runway slopes downhill at an 18.6% gradient. This means that planes take off while heading downhill and must climb uphill to land. As a result, experts have labelled the altiport as dangerous, also considering the popularity of skiing in the area.
Smaller fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Cessna 208 Caravan, tend to land here often due to their size. However, the airfield has no instrument landing approach, which is perilous in foggy conditions. Unfortunately, the jaw-dropping view of the snowy Alps contrasts with the safety hazards of the Altiport.
Fun Fact: The Tour De France has used this altiport as a finish line on four occasions!
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba Island
Courchevel Altiport just fell short of having the smallest runway, but Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, takes the winning spot with a runway length of only 400 metres (1,312 ft). Only a few suitable planes, like the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, can land here. Winair, a local airline that owns the airport, operates daily flights to the neighbouring Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. These flights, on average, last no longer than 15 minutes.
Fun Fact: In 1998, a hurricane destroyed the airport’s terminal building. The Dutch government had it rebuilt in 2004, dedicating it to De Haenen (the man who proposed the idea of building the airport). The propeller from De Haenen’s first landing on Saba is on display in the new terminal building.
Paro International Airport, Bhutan
Don’t worry! This airport has a normal-sized runway this time. But, similarly to Courchevel, it’s the landscape which makes this airport so unique but so dangerous.
Paro Airport, Bhutan, is located in a deep valley (2,235m above mean sea level) on the bank of the river Paro Chhu. Additionally, the airport is coated by Himalayan peaks that reach up to 5,500 metres (18,000 ft), making it one of the most challenging airports to land at. Only a few pilots can land here, needing the correct experience and qualifications. Only 50 pilots are certified to land at Paro.
There is no instrument system to assist landings here. Flights to and from Paro are only allowed between sunrise and sunset when the pilot can see clearly. Nonetheless, if you ignore the fear that the hazardous landing conditions may bring, you have a unique and stunning airport surrounded by the beauty of the Himalayas. This airport is used by two commercial airlines: Bhutan Airlines and Drukair.
Fun Fact: Despite the danger everyone talks about, there has never actually been a crash at Paro. Although, there was a close shave in 2021:
Barra Airport, Scotland
Looking at the picture, you may be wondering where the terminal or the runways are.
Barra Airport, located in the outer Hebrides of Scotland, is the only airport that uses a tidal wave beach as a runway. Not only that, the airport also uses a unique runway system. There are three runways which make the shape of a triangle. Wooden poles are placed at their ends to signal which way the wind is blowing. This allows aircraft, like the DHC-6 Twin Otter, to safely land against the wind. The tide heavily affects flight schedules, even though the airport is only used to fly into Glasgow. High tide submerges the three runways under the sea.
Fun Fact: There are two Barra airports, the other one being located in Brazil. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as unique as its Scottish counterpart.
Velana International Airport, the Maldives
Also known as Malé-Velana International Airport, the Maldives leaves you in awe as soon as you step off the plane. It may seem like a mundane airport at first until you realise you’re on a separate island about 115 kilometres away from the Maldives. This airport requires travellers to take a 10-minute ferry to get to their destination. Positively, the transport is extremely cheap.
Over 40 commercial airlines use this airport. Clearly, the unique location takes nothing away from the importance of the airport however, mostly serving as a gateway for the popular Maldives.
Fun Fact: The largest foreign carrier in the Maldives is Sri Lankan Airlines, with over 21 scheduled flights per week.
Now you know about some of the world’s most unique airports around the world. But travelling isn’t travelling without a place to stay! You can read about nine unique hotels around the world here.
Have you been to any of these airports? Let us know in the comments!
