7 Smallest Airports In The World With The Most Extreme Landing Challenges

JAKARTA - Major international airports may serve millions of passengers each year, with adequate luxury facilities and long runways. But on the other hand, there are small airports operating with limited infrastructure, short runways, and minimal flight schedules.

Although tiny, these airports have an important role, namely connecting remote areas that are difficult to reach. Interestingly, each of them also has unique challenges that make it different from ordinary airports. Here are the 7 smallest airports in the world, as reported by the Times of India page.

1. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba, Dutch Caribbean

Imagine landing on a runway of only 400 meters. That's what is on the small island of Saba, the Dutch Caribbean. This airport is recorded as having the shortest commercial foundation in the world. Its location is on a high cliff with a sea on the three sides and mountains on the other side. No wonder every landing and takeoff here feels tense as well as challenging.

2. Tengg-Hillary Airport (Lukla), Nepal

Widely known as the gateway to Mount Everest, the airport is at an altitude of 2,860 meters and has a base of only 527 meters. Uniquely, the Lukla runway is tilted and ends in a steep ravine. No wonder this airport is often referred to as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Every aircraft maneuver here must be calculated with precision.

3. Barra Airport, Scotland, England

This is the only commercial airport in the world where planes land directly on sandy beaches. Located on remote Barra Island, the airport's flight schedule relies heavily on tides. When the tide, the runway is completely lost in the waves.

4. Helgoland Airport, Germany

On the small island of Helgoland in the North Sea, this airport has three super short runways, making it one of the smallest commercial airports in Europe. Generally, this airport serves small regional flights and medical emergency needs.

5. Moshoeshoe Airport, Lesotho

This tiny airport in the mountainous country of Africa has a base of 1,320 meters long. Despite its limited size, this airport is vital for Lesotho connectivity, both for domestic and international flights on a limited scale. Its location on the highlands makes operations full of challenges.

6. Courgevel Altiport Airport, France

Located in the French Alps, the airport only has a runway of 537 meters. Even more extreme, the runway is built on the slopes of the mountain with a steep slope. Not all pilots can land here, they must have special training to deal with the challenges of this airport.

7. Agatti Airport, India

Agatti is the only airport in the remote Lakshadweek Islands. The runway is narrow, surrounded by the blue sea greenness of the Arabian Sea. Because the land is limited, this airport cannot be expanded. Although small, this airport is the only one heading to the tropical paradise of India.