Ruth Haines
Runway length is an important consideration for pilots, with some aircraft requiring longer runways than others. While the average runway length at significant airports is between 8,000 and 13,000 feet, some airports have much shorter runways, which can present challenges for pilots and limit the types of aircraft that can be accommodated. So, which airport has the shortest runway?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport with the shortest runway | Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport |
| Location | Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands |
| Runway Length | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
| Aircraft that can use the runway | Smaller STOL airplanes such as the DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters |
| Airlines that use the airport | Winair |
| Destinations | Daily flights to Sint Maarten |
| Average Flight Duration | 15 minutes |
| Other airports with short runways | St. Mary's Airport (ISC), Land's End Airport, John Wayne Airport (SNA), Washington Reagan National Airport, Hilton Head Island Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba: the world's shortest commercial runway
- St. Mary's Airport, Isles of Scilly: two runways, one under 2,000 feet
- Land's End Airport, Cornwall: a 1,591-foot grass runway
- John Wayne Airport, Orange County: a busy runway under 6,000 feet
- Washington Reagan National Airport: a congested airport with a short runway
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba: the world's shortest commercial runway
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba is widely acknowledged as having the world's shortest commercial runway. At just 400 metres (1,312 feet) long, the runway is flanked by high hills, with cliffs that drop into the sea at both ends.
The airport is named after Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin, who, during a harrowing voyage to Saba by sloop in 1960, promised to look for funds to build an airport on the island if his life was spared. The idea of building an airport on Saba is credited to Remy de Haenen, who made several landings in a seaplane off Fort Bay Harbour on the island in 1946. De Haenen made the first landing of an aircraft on Saba in 1959, but was then prohibited from making further landings until 1962. In the lead-up to the 1962 parliamentary elections, the lack of an airport on the island became a big issue, and the construction of the airport was supported by two politicians in the parliament of the Netherlands Antilles: Claude Wathey and Juancho Irausquin. The Dutch government provided 600,000 guilders (US$330,000) to build the airport as part of a broader three-year plan for the Windward Islands.
The airport officially opened on July 24, 1963, with regular services to Sint Maarten beginning in December 1963, using a six-passenger STOL-capable Dornier Do 28 aircraft. Irausquin sadly died the year before the airport's opening, but his widow cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony on September 18, 1963.
Due to the runway's short length, the airport is closed to jet traffic. However, smaller STOL airplanes (such as the DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters) are common sights. The most common aircraft to land at the airport are the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, due to their STOL capabilities. The runway's usable length, given the displaced thresholds at either end, is just 1,263 feet (385 metres).
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St. Mary's Airport, Isles of Scilly: two runways, one under 2,000 feet
St. Mary's Airport, located in the Isles of Scilly, England, southwest of Cornwall, boasts two runways, one of which is under 2,000 feet in length. The airport, which opened in 1939, serves as the only air link between the mainland and the Isles of Scilly, highlighting its importance despite its short runways.
One of St. Mary's Airport's runways is made of asphalt and measures 2,277 feet in length. The other runway, designated as 09/27, is a unique combination of asphalt and grass, with a length of only 1,722 feet. This runway's short length and mixed surface composition make it a challenging prospect for pilots, requiring precise short-field techniques and consideration of environmental factors like wind.
The Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue service maintains a base at the airport, ensuring emergency response capabilities for any incidents that may occur. Additionally, a footpath located near the end of one of the runways underscores the proximity of the airport to surrounding areas. This proximity necessitates the closure of the footpath each time an aircraft takes off or lands, with warning lights and bells employed to ensure safety.
St. Mary's Airport is served by the Isles of Scilly Skybus, providing flights to Land's End Airport in Cornwall. Interestingly, the Land's End Airport also has a notably short grass runway, measuring 1,591 feet in length. However, sources indicate that this grass runway may not have been in use after the flooding events of 2014.
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Land's End Airport, Cornwall: a 1,591-foot grass runway
Lands End Airport in Cornwall, England, has a grass runway that is only 1,591 feet long. This makes it one of the shortest runways in the world. The airport is served by Isles of Scilly Skybus, which operates flights to and from St. Mary's Airport (ISC) in the Isles of Scilly, located southwest of Cornwall. St. Mary's Airport also has a short runway, with one made of asphalt measuring 2,277 feet in length, and the other, a mixed asphalt/grass runway, spanning 1,722 feet.
The shortest commercial runway in the world is widely considered to be that of Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, with a length of just 1,312 feet. This runway is flanked by high hills, with cliffs at both ends, and is closed to jet traffic due to its short length. Only small STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft, such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander, are able to land at this airport.
In the United States, several airports are known for their short runways. These include Key West International Airport and Hilton Head Airport, with runways under 5,100 feet, and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, with a runway length of 4,800 feet before being extended in 1964. Washington Reagan National Airport also has a notably short runway, with its lesser-used runway 15/33 spanning only 5,204 feet.
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John Wayne Airport, Orange County: a busy runway under 6,000 feet
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California, and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The airport is named after the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died in 1979.
The airport has two runways. The longer runway, 20R, is 5,701 feet (1,738 m) long, while the shorter runway, 2L/20L, is 2,886 feet (880 m) long. The longer runway is used by commercial aircraft and general aviation serving most incoming and departing traffic to the west of the airport, while the shorter runway is used by smaller general aviation aircraft and light aircraft.
John Wayne Airport is a busy reliever airport for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and offers domestic and international operations. All major American carriers serve the airport, and it is the sole commercial airport in Orange County. The airport is known for its unique takeoff procedure due to local noise restrictions and its short runway. Commercial airliners typically cycle to full power while holding at the end of the runway and then release the brakes when the engines are fully spooled up. Pilots must make a steep 25-degree climb to 500-700 feet (150-210 m) and then reduce engine power to minimise noise.
The short runway at John Wayne Airport has led to it being considered one of the nation's scariest airports by passengers. The airport's busy nature, with 22 gates, and congested ramp area, combined with the unique takeoff procedure and noise restrictions, contribute to a challenging operating environment for pilots and a potentially unnerving experience for passengers.
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Washington Reagan National Airport: a congested airport with a short runway
Washington Reagan National Airport, a historic landmark serving the Capital Region since 1941, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. With 26.29 million passengers in 2024, it is the busiest airport in the Washington metropolitan area and the 25th busiest in the country. The airport's main runway is the busiest in the US, and it serves 98 nonstop destinations as of October 2023.
Despite its status as a major transportation hub, Reagan National Airport is not without its challenges. The airport has gained controversy in recent times due to safety risk concerns. Its location in a congested urban area, bordered by U.S. Route 1 and high-tension electrical wires, presents obstacles for incoming and outgoing flights. The airport's proximity to sensitive areas such as the National Mall and the U.S. Naval Observatory has led to strict airspace restrictions, further complicating air traffic management.
Adding to the congestion is the airport's relatively short runway. The main north-south runway, Runway 1/19, is 6,869 feet long. While this length is sufficient for most commercial aircraft operations, Reagan National Airport also has two shorter runways: Runway 15/33, which is 5,204 feet long, and Runway 4/22, which is 4,911 feet long. These shorter runways impose limitations on the aircraft that can use them, with Runway 33 typically restricted to smaller aircraft due to its shorter length.
The combination of a busy location, strict airspace restrictions, and shorter runways makes operations at Reagan National Airport complex and demanding. The airport's history, dating back to the colonial days with roots in the Abingdon plantation, further adds to the unique characteristics of this congested airport in the heart of Washington, D.C.
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Frequently asked questions
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands, has the shortest commercial runway in the world, at 400 metres (1,312 feet) long.
Some US airports with short runways include John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Washington Reagan National Airport, Hilton Head Island Airport, and Key West Airport.
Aircraft operating on short runways may require specific short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. Pilots also need to be skilled in short-field techniques, including precise control of airspeed, approach, and touchdown point utilisation. Environmental factors, such as wind, can further influence the complexity of these operations.
