Airports: A Universal Amenity Or A Luxury?

There are a number of factors that determine whether a country has an airport or not. Geography is a limiting factor, as airports require long, flat landing strips, which may not be possible in mountainous regions. The economic cost of building and maintaining an airport is another factor, with smaller countries potentially unable to justify the expense. In the world, there are around 196 to 249 countries, depending on how they are counted, and only five of them do not have an airport. All of these countries are located in Europe and are quite small geographically. They are: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

Five countries without airports

There are several factors that determine whether a country has an airport or not. Geography is a limiting factor, as airports require long, flat landing strips. Small countries in mountainous areas may not have the space to accommodate an airport. The second limiting factor is economics; it is very expensive to build and maintain even a regional airport.

Out of the roughly 196 to 249 countries in the world, only five countries have no airport. Interestingly, all five are European microstates. Here is a list of the five countries without airports:

Andorra

Andorra is a small country located in the Pyrenees mountain range between Spain and France. It is the largest country without an airport in terms of both population and land area. Andorra has three private heliports, one of which is a hospital helipad. There are plans to build a "National Heliport", but the process is currently stalled. The nearest airports are in France and Spain, with the closest major airports being Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport in Spain and Toulouse–Blagnac Airport in France.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a landlocked country located between Switzerland and Austria. It is the smallest country in the world to border two countries. Liechtenstein has no airport of its own, but it does have a heliport in the southern town of Balzers. The nearest major airport is Zurich Airport in Switzerland, which is about 130 kilometres away. Visitors can also fly into St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport in Switzerland or Friedrichshafen Airport in Germany, which are closer but have fewer scheduled flights.

Monaco

Monaco is a city-state located on the French Riviera, bordered by France on three sides and by the Mediterranean Sea on the fourth. It is the second-smallest country in the world and the most densely populated sovereign state. Monaco has no airport, but it does have a heliport in the district of Fontvieille. The nearest major airport is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France.

San Marino

San Marino is a landlocked microstate surrounded by Italy on all sides. It is the fifth-smallest country in the world, with an estimated population of over 30,000. San Marino does not have its own airport, but it does have a private airstrip in Torraccia and an international heliport in Borgo Maggiore. The closest airport is Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini, Italy.

Vatican City

Vatican City is an independent city-state and the smallest country in the world, with a population of around 840 people. It is enclaved within Rome, Italy, and has no airport of its own due to its small size. Vatican City has one heliport in the western corner, used by visiting heads of state and Vatican officials. The nearest major airports are Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport and Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy.

Geography and space constraints

The Vatican, as the smallest country in the world with an area of just 0.44 square kilometres, faces geographical constraints that render the inclusion of an airport within its territory unfeasible. Its location within the city of Rome further complicates the prospects of having its own airport. San Marino, another small country entirely surrounded by Italy, lacks the geographical expanse necessary for an airport.

Monaco, the second-smallest country in the world, is bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea on the fourth. The dense population and limited space in Monaco make it challenging to allocate an area for an airport. The country relies on nearby airports in France and alternative modes of transportation, such as boats and cars, to facilitate travel.

Economic and population factors

The high cost of building an airport is a significant economic barrier for small countries. Constructing even a regional airport requires millions of dollars, and the countries without airports have limited financial resources due to their small size. Additionally, the cost of security and safety measures for airports is substantial, further increasing the financial burden on these countries.

The small populations of these countries also mean that there is limited demand for air travel to and from these destinations. As a result, the potential benefits of constructing an airport may not outweigh the significant costs. For example, Monaco, the second-smallest country in the world, is surrounded by France on three sides and has the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Travellers can easily access Monaco by boat or car from the nearby Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France, eliminating the need for a dedicated airport in the country. Similarly, Liechtenstein, which borders Austria and Germany, is accessible by car, boat, or train from nearby airports in Switzerland or Austria.

In addition to economic considerations, population distribution and density can influence the feasibility of building an airport in a particular country. Some countries without airports, such as Monaco and San Marino, are densely populated, leaving little room for the construction of an airport. In these cases, the existing infrastructure and land use patterns may not accommodate an airport without significant changes to the country's physical layout.

Furthermore, the small populations of these countries may not generate sufficient air traffic to support the operation of an airport. Airports require a certain level of demand to be financially sustainable, and the limited population sizes of these countries may not be able to provide the necessary passenger volume. This lack of demand, coupled with the high costs of construction and maintenance, makes it challenging for these countries to justify the investment in an airport.

Nearby airports and alternative transport

There are several alternative ways to travel between countries that do not have airports. These include:

By Land

• Coach or Bus — One of the cheapest ways to travel long distances. It can be exhausting, but it is worth it if you opt for a bus that makes several stops along the way, allowing you to see the countryside.
• Car — Travelling by car gives you the freedom to go wherever and whenever you want. It is also a great way to explore as you can take breaks to grab something to eat, use restrooms, and discover hidden gems along the way.
• RV or Van — This option offers the freedom to live wherever the road may take you, camping under the stars.
• Motorcycle — This option is for those who love the thrill of travelling from place to place on a motorcycle. It also allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the sea or mountain routes and save money on gas.

By Water

• Boat — This can be a luxurious way to travel, with world-class entertainment, comfortable accommodations, and delicious food. There are also river cruises, which are similar to ocean cruises but on a smaller scale.
• Cargo Ship — This option can be pricey, but it offers a unique experience.

By Rail

Train — This is a classic way to travel without flying. It is an easy, inexpensive, and comfortable way to transfer from one city to another, or even one country to another.

Out of the roughly 196 to 249 countries in the world, only five do not have an airport. These are the microstates of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. All of these countries are quite small geographically and located in densely populated areas, with limited space and proximity to other major cities, making it challenging to build an airport. Additionally, the economics of building and maintaining an airport can be a limiting factor, as it is incredibly expensive, and these countries have small populations.

Andorra — This landlocked country between Spain and France is the largest country on the list without an airport. It has a population of 85,000 (as of 2012) and an area of 468 square kilometres (181 square miles). The nearest major airports are Barcelona–El Prat in Spain and Toulouse in France, which are both a three-hour drive away. The closest public airport is Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport in France, which is 160 km away and offers flights within France and to Great Britain. Andorra also has three heliports in La Massana, Arinsal, and Escaldes-Engordany.

Liechtenstein — Liechtenstein is a landlocked country between Switzerland and Austria with an area of 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and an estimated population of 35,000. The closest major airport is Zürich Airport in Switzerland, which is 130 kilometres away. The nearest public airport is St. Gallen Airport, also in Switzerland, which is 50 kilometres away. Liechtenstein also has one heliport located in the southern town of Balzers.

Monaco — Monaco is a city-state situated in the French Riviera, bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea on one side. It is the second-smallest country in the world, with an area of just 2.02 square kilometres (0.78 square miles) and a population of 36,371. The closest airport is the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France. Monaco also has a heliport in the district of Fontvieille.

San Marino — San Marino is a landlocked microstate surrounded by Italy on all sides. It has an area of about 61 square kilometres (24 square miles) and an estimated population of over 30,000. The closest airport is the Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini, Italy. San Marino also has a private airstrip in Torraccia and an international heliport in Borgo Maggiore.

Vatican City — Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, with an area of just 44 hectares (0.17 square miles) and a population of around 840 people. It is a city-state entirely surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy, and has no airports or highways. Vatican City has one heliport in the western corner, used by visiting heads of state and Vatican officials. The nearest major airports in Italy are Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport and Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, both serving Rome.

Heliports and airfields

While there are only five countries in the world without airports, all of these do have at least one heliport. A heliport is a small airport with a helipad, suitable for helicopters, powered lift, and various types of vertical lift aircraft. They can range from simple unprepared open fields to locations that support scheduled air services, with hangars, fuel and aircraft maintenance capabilities.

Heliports are often used in cities, where they can be situated closer to the city centre than an airport for fixed-wing aircraft. They can be used by passengers needing to quickly move within a city or to outlying regions. They are also used by police departments, as well as for medical purposes, with helipads being common features at hospitals.

Heliports can be found on ground level, on buildings, parking garages, bridges, boats, and even on water. They are constructed from a variety of materials, including turf, grass pavers, gravel, shells, coral, asphalt, concrete, steel, aluminium, wood, and composites.

In addition to the five countries without airports, there are also several territories without airports, including Tokelau and the Pitcairn Islands. These remote island groups can only be reached by boat.

Frequently asked questions