Airports In Developing Countries: Do They Exist?

There are five countries in the world that do not have airports. These are Andorra, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, San Marino, and Monaco. The reasons for this vary, but it is often due to restrictions on space, limited resources, or a desire to keep noise out. Interestingly, despite not having airports, some of these countries have helicopter landing pads. For example, Andorra has three helicopter landing pads located in La Massana, Arinsal, and Escaldes-Engordany. On the other hand, some countries have a large number of airports, with the United States having the most airports in the world, followed by Brazil, Mexico, and Canada.

What countries don't have airports?

There are several countries that don't have airports. Interestingly, some of these countries have thriving tourism industries and attract visitors from all over the world. The absence of airports in these countries can be attributed to factors such as small size, limited space, and proximity to other major cities. Here is a list of countries that do not have airports within their boundaries:

Vatican City:

Vatican City, located within the city of Rome, is the world's smallest country with a population of around 800 to 840 people. Due to its limited size, it is physically impossible to accommodate an airport within its 0.2 to 0.44 square miles (0.52 to 0.71 square kilometres) of land area. Visitors usually arrive through the nearby Rome-Ciampino Airport or Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Italy. Vatican City does have a heliport in the western corner, used by visiting dignitaries and officials.

Monaco:

Monaco, a glamorous city-state nestled on the French Riviera, is known for its high concentration of wealth. With a population of about 40,000, it is one of the most densely populated places on Earth. Despite its allure, Monaco does not have its own airport due to its small size. Visitors often arrive via helicopter, yacht, or by driving from the nearby Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France. Monaco also has a heliport in the district of Fontvieille.

San Marino:

Perched atop a rugged mountain in northern Italy, San Marino is one of the world's oldest republics and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a population of over 30,000 and an area of just 24 square miles (62 square kilometres), San Marino does not have its own airport. The closest airports are in Italy, such as the Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini and the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. San Marino has a heliport in Borgo Maggiore and a small airfield called Torraccia airfield.

Andorra:

Andorra is a small country located in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. With a population of around 85,000, it is one of the world's smallest countries, covering just 180 square miles (468 square kilometres). Andorra does not have an airport, but it does have three helipads in La Massana, Arinsal, and Escaldes-Engordany. The nearest airports are in Toulouse, France, and Barcelona, Spain, both about three hours away.

Liechtenstein:

Sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is a tiny, mountainous country covering just 62 square miles (160 square kilometres). As one of the world's smallest countries, it does not have an airport within its borders. The closest airport is Zurich Airport in Switzerland, approximately 80 miles (128 kilometres) away. Liechtenstein has one heliport located in the southern town of Balzers.

Other Territories:

In addition to the five countries mentioned above, there are also a few non-self-governing territories that do not have airports. These include the Pitcairn Islands and Tokelau, which are remote island groups accessible only by boat.

Why do some countries not have airports?

There are several reasons why some countries do not have airports.

Firstly, geographical limitations play a significant role. Countries without airports are often quite small in size and may be landlocked. Constructing airports requires long, flat landing strips, which can be challenging to find in mountainous regions. Additionally, densely populated areas may lack the physical space needed to build airports.

Secondly, economic factors come into play. Building and maintaining airports, even regional ones, is extremely costly. Countries with small populations may not be able to justify the expense of constructing and operating an airport, especially considering the additional costs of security and safety measures.

In cases where countries lack their own airports, they often rely on airports in neighbouring nations for international travel. Alternatively, they may utilise other means of transportation, such as boats or trains, for international connections.

As of 2020, there were five countries without airports: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. All of these countries are located in Europe and are relatively small in size. For example, Vatican City, the smallest country on the list, has a land area of just 44 hectares (110 acres) and a population of around 840 people. It is entirely surrounded by Rome, Italy, and does not have any highways, making the construction of an airport impossible due to space constraints.

Which country has the most airports?

The United States has the most airports in the world, with sources stating there are over 13,500 airports across the country, with another source stating there are 15,873 airports. The United States also has the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has held the title of the world's busiest airport every year since 1998, except for 2020, when its passenger traffic dipped due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil comes in second place with 4,093 airports, followed by Mexico in third place with 1,714 airports. China and Russia are also in the top five, with 507 and 1,218 airports, respectively.

Which country has the busiest airport?

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. It has held this title every year since 1998, except for 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger traffic.

In December 2024, however, Dubai International Airport (DXB) briefly overtook Atlanta as the world's busiest airport with 5.3 million seats, a 5% increase from the previous month. Atlanta quickly regained its top position, and as of 2023 data, it remains the busiest airport in the world.

The United States has the most airports in the top 50 list, with 16, including five in the top 10. China has the second highest number of airports in the top 50, with 10.

Which country has the most international airports?

The United States of America has the highest number of airports in the world. Sources state that the US has between 13,513 and 15,873 airports, with one source specifying that there are 14,712 airports in the country. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, is the largest and busiest airport in the country, serving over 89 million passengers each year since 2005 and welcoming nearly 105 million passengers in 2023. The high number of airports in the United States can be attributed to its large land area, comparable to that of Europe, as well as its status as a destination for travellers in pursuit of economic prosperity.

Brazil ranks second, with 4,093 to 4,919 airports. Brazil's massive land area is one of the key reasons for its high number of airports. The Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo is the country's busiest airport, having served around 40 million passengers in 2014 and 41.3 million in 2023.

Other countries with a high number of airports include Australia (2,180 airports), Mexico (1,485 to 1,714 airports), Canada (1,425 to 1,467 airports), the United Kingdom (1,043 airports), Russia (904 airports), Germany (838 airports), Argentina (756 to 916 airports), and France (689 airports).

It is worth noting that the definition of an airport can vary and may include smaller airfields and even abandoned installations. Additionally, some sources consider only airports that are recognizable from the air.

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