Northernmost Airports: Commercial Aviation's Arctic Frontiers

Aviation has allowed humans to access almost every corner of the world. From the lowest to the highest points, and the hottest to the coldest regions, airports have been built in some of the most extreme destinations. The world's northernmost commercial airport is a highly contested title, with several airports in the running.

The northernmost airport with regular commercial flights is Svalbard Airport, Longyear, Norway

While there are airports further north, these are not considered commercial as they do not have regular scheduled flights. For example, the Alert Airport in the Nunavut territory of Canada is the northernmost airfield on Earth, but it is a military base that is out of bounds for the general public. Twice a year, there is a military flight to supply the settlement with goods, and it is possible to travel on this flight. However, it is not considered a commercial flight.

Similarly, the Russians have occasionally landed airliners right next to the North Pole. The Russian airline Utair operates Antonov An-74 aircraft that use a makeshift runway on the drifting ice during supply runs to Ice Camp Barneo. However, these are not regular commercial flights either.

For those looking to travel to the northernmost airport with regular commercial flights, you can fly to Svalbard Airport, Longyear, from the city of Tromsø, Norway. From there, you can explore the isolated town of Longyearbyen, which is known for being home to one of the world's northernmost airports.

The northernmost airfield on Earth is Alert Airport, Canada, but it is out of bounds for the general public

The world's northernmost airfield, Alert Airport in Canada, is out of bounds for civilians. This military outpost on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island in the Nunavut territory of Canada is the world's northernmost permanently inhabited settlement. The farthest north you can travel on a regular commercial flight is Svalbard Airport, Longyearbyen, on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. The airport is located roughly halfway between the North Pole and mainland Europe.

Svalbard Airport, Longyearbyen, is accessible to the general public, unlike Alert Airport, which only sees military flights twice a year. The airport in the remote town of Longyearbyen is, therefore, a more practical answer to the question of the world's northernmost commercial airport. This is especially true considering the definition of a commercial airport as an airport with scheduled flights that anyone can book.

The town of Longyearbyen itself is an interesting destination, known for its remoteness and isolation. It is situated on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, which is located between the North Pole and the European mainland. The archipelago's unique position has made it a popular destination for those seeking extreme and remote travel experiences.

While Svalbard Airport may be the northernmost commercial airport accessible to the general public, it is worth noting that the Russians have occasionally landed airliners right next to the North Pole. These flights, operated by Russian airline Utair, use a makeshift runway on the drifting ice to supply Ice Camp Barneo. However, these flights are not part of a regularly scheduled commercial service.

In summary, while Alert Airport in Canada may be the northernmost airfield, it is not accessible to civilians. The title of the northernmost commercial airport goes to Svalbard Airport, Longyearbyen, serving the remote town in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.

The happiest customers passing through UK airports were those travelling through Exeter Airport

When it comes to customer satisfaction, Exeter Airport has been ranked as the happiest airport in the world. With a score of 88.66%, passengers travelling through Exeter Airport were the happiest in the world, according to a report by HappyOrNot, the company responsible for the globally-recognisable 'Smiley' feedback system. The report was based on 158 million data points from HappyOrNot smiley terminals in 160 airports across 36 countries.

Exeter Airport's score was 12% higher than the global average of 76.52%. The airport, located in southwest England, handles fewer than a million passengers a year. Its high satisfaction rating may be due in part to its convenience, manageability, and lower stress levels compared to larger airports.

Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports, which owns Exeter Airport, attributed the ranking to the customer-focused ethos promoted across their regional UK airport network. Ville Levaniemi, HappyOrNot Founder and Executive VP, emphasised the significance of the extensive data analysed for the report, providing a more reliable indication of customer happiness than anecdotal evidence.

The report also revealed that October and November are the happiest months for air travellers, with an average happiness rating of 83.5%. Conversely, July and April are the months when travellers are most likely to experience unhappiness, with August following closely behind. The happiest time to travel is considered to be early morning (5 am-8 am), particularly on a Tuesday in October or November.

While Exeter Airport ranked first, it is worth noting that other UK airports also performed well. Cork Airport and Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (Rome) tied for second place, followed by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in fourth place. Newcastle International Airport, London Southend Airport, and Cardiff Airport also made it into the top 10 happiest airports, demonstrating that UK airports are consistently delivering a positive customer experience.

As for the northernmost commercial airport, the answer depends on the specific definition of "commercial". If we consider a commercial airport as one with regular scheduled flights, then Svalbard Longyear Airport in Norway is the northernmost. However, if we broaden the definition to include airports without scheduled flights, Alert Airport in Nunavut, Canada, would be the northernmost.

The world's shortest runway is at Juancho E Irausquin Airport in the Caribbean

When it comes to the world's northernmost commercial airport, there are a few contenders. If we're considering airports with scheduled flights, then Svalbard Airport in Norway takes the top spot. Located in the isolated town of Longyearbyen, this airport holds the distinction of being the world's northernmost airport with regular scheduled flights.

However, if we broaden our criteria to include any commercial airport, then Alert Airport in Nunavut, Canada, comes into the picture. This airport serves the northernmost permanent settlement in the world and, while there are only a couple of military flights to this location each year, it's technically possible to secure a spot on one of these flights.

Now, shifting our focus to the southern climes, we find the world's shortest runway at Juancho E Irausquin Airport in the Caribbean. This airport, nestled on the tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, boasts a runway that's a mere 400 meters (1,312 feet) long. The runway is flanked by high hills on one side, with cliffs plunging into the sea at both ends, making for a dramatic and challenging landing.

The airport's unique setting and diminutive runway cater exclusively to small aircraft and helicopters, with jet aircraft unable to navigate the tight confines. The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander are frequent visitors, favored for their short takeoff and landing capabilities.

The history of this airport is worth noting as well. The idea of an airport on Saba emerged from the mind of Dutch national Remy de Haenen, who had made several landings in a seaplane off Fort Bay Harbor in 1946. After identifying Flat Point as the ideal location, the land was swiftly cleared and graded, allowing de Haenen to make his inaugural landing in 1959. However, political hurdles prevented further landings until 1962, when the lack of an airport became a pressing issue. With support from politicians Claude Wathey and Juancho Irausquin, the Dutch government provided funding, and the airport officially opened in 1963, bearing the name of the late Irausquin, who had passed away the previous year.

The southernmost airport with regular commercial traffic is Guardiamarina Zañartu, Chile

The world's northernmost commercial airport with regular scheduled flights is Svalbard Airport, Longyear, in the remote Arctic region of Svalbard, Norway (78°14′46″N 15°27′56″E). However, if you are looking for the northernmost airport that is simply permanent, without scheduled flights, this is Alert Airport in Nunavut, Canada (82°31′04″N 062°16′50″W). Alert Airport is located in the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, and while there are only two military flights supplying the settlement with goods each year, it is possible to get a trip on this plane.

In contrast, the southernmost airport with regular commercial traffic is Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport, Chile. Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport is located in the town of Puerto Williams, in the southern tip of the South American continent, within Chilean Patagonia. The airport is named after Guardiamarina José Zanartu, a Chilean naval hero who served during the country's war of independence.

Puerto Williams is a small town, with a population of just a few thousand people, and the airport reflects this, with a single runway and a small terminal building. Despite its remote location, the airport is an important gateway to the region, serving both domestic and international flights. The main airlines operating from the airport are Aerovias Dap, with flights to and from Punta Arenas, and LATAM, which provides connections to Santiago, the capital of Chile, via a stop in Punta Arenas.

The airport is an important hub for those travelling to or from Antarctica, as it is the closest airport to the continent, with Ushuaia International Airport in Argentina being another common gateway. Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport is also a popular stop for private and charter flights, particularly those seeking to explore the beautiful and rugged landscapes of Chilean Patagonia, with its glaciers, fjords, and mountains.

The airport is open year-round, but due to the extreme southern location, the weather can be a factor, with strong winds and snow affecting operations at times. The airport is equipped to deal with these conditions, and the runway is long enough to accommodate even large aircraft, such as the Boeing 767, ensuring safe operations even in challenging weather.

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