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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - When it comes to airports, many perceive them as bustling environments with packs of crowds and endless lines. With their expansive size, airports are capable of accommodating up to millions of passengers and a wide range of amenities.
However, this is not the case for some airports, as they are smaller in size and feature relatively short runways, largely due to their geographical location. These airports may be small, but they have effectively provided air travel services, despite limited operations.
Citing Times of India, Metro, Express, and other sources, let’s discover some of the smallest airports in the world.
1. Juancho Yrausquin Airport
Nestled on the edge of the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is widely regarded as the smallest airport in the world. First opened in 1959, the airport operates with a 1300-foot (approximately 400 meters) airstrip, making it the shortest commercial runway in the world.
Regardless, only 900 feet (around 275 meters) of the runway, which lies on the island’s only flat area, is usable. Therefore, jet aircraft are prohibited from running on this modest-size airstrip since Juancho Yrausquin can only accommodate average aircraft carriers, or even smaller ones, like the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.
Furthermore, the only airline operating at this airport is Windair, which conducts two daily flights to Saint Martin and Saint Eusta.
2. Moshoeshoe I International Airport
Moshoeshoe I International Airport serves as the major hub for the capital of Maseru, Lesotho. According to Myflyright, aircraft landing and takeoff are possible on two runways measuring up to 10,500 feet (3200 meters) and 3314 feet (1010 meters), respectively.
3. Barra Airport
Aside from being among the smallest airports in the world, Barra Airport, built in 1978, is recognized for its distinctive runway, which is not of asphalt and concrete. Rather, aircraft carriers run on a beach runway, which is the only one throughout the globe, as cited by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.
The airport’s arrival and departure schedules may be subject to adjustments due to the unstable weather conditions. Moreover, despite its remote location, passengers can still enjoy basic amenities, including car parking and car rental services.
4. Morgantown Municipal Airport
Regardless of its compact runway, which stretches only about 0.5 miles (around 805 meters), Morgantown Municipal Airport promises an enjoyable experience for your journey. The airport provides an array of facilities, ranging from free parking and free WiFi to a restaurant and rented conference rooms.
According to the website, since its establishment in 1935, Morgantown Municipal Airport has remained solid with nearly 1,000 connecting flights to domestic and international destinations. To note, there is only one commercial airline here, that is, SkyWest Airlines, with flights operated by United Express.
5. Tenzing-Hillary Airport
Rounding off our list of the smallest airports in the world is Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also referred to as Lukla Airport, in Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Nepal. Named after two people who successfully climbed Mount Everest for the first time, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the airport is also renowned for its challenging environment.
Perched amidst the mountainous Himalayas, the airport is located at an elevation of almost 9400 feet (2860 meters) above sea level with a relatively short runway. National Geographic Indonesia also notes that the unpredictable extreme climate presents additional challenges for landing or taking off, hence requiring exceptional flying skills from the pilots.
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