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Saba Airport, also known as Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba. It is known for having the world's shortest commercial runway, at just 400 metres (1,312 feet) long, with cliffs on both ends that drop into the sea. The airport is served by small propeller aircraft and helicopters, as jet aircraft are unable to land due to the short runway. The airport officially began service in 1963 and has been named one of the most scenic airports in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport |
| Airport Code | SAB |
| Location | Northeastern tip of the Caribbean island of Saba |
| Country | The Netherlands |
| Runway Length | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
| Aircraft | Small propeller-driven aircraft up to 19 seats; DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters |
| Airlines | Winair, KLM, Air France |
| Destinations | Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius |
| Taxes | USD 10 departure tax |
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What You'll Learn
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport
The idea for an airport on Saba is credited to Remy de Haenen, who proposed the idea to the Saba Economic Council, along with contractor Jacques Deldevert. De Haenen made the first landing on the island of Saba in 1959, but was then prohibited from making further landings, leaving the island without flights for several years. In the lead-up to the 1962 parliamentary elections, the lack of an airport became a significant issue, and construction of the airport began with funding from the Dutch government. The airport officially opened on July 24, 1963, with regular service provided by Windward Islands Airways (Winair), a company formed by George Greaux and other investors in 1961.
Winair remains the only airline providing scheduled services to and from Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, with daily flights to and from Sint Maarten. These flights last no longer than 15 minutes and are operated by a DHC-6 Twin Otter, a STOL-capable aircraft. The challenging nature of the landing at Saba has made it a destination for aviation enthusiasts, with the airport's unique runway featured on postage stamps and souvenir t-shirts.
The airport's terminal building houses offices for Winair, immigration and security, a fire department, and a tower that provides advisory services. Aviation fuel is not available on the island of Saba. In 1998, the airport's terminal building was destroyed by Hurricane Georges, and a new building was constructed with funding from the Dutch government, dedicated to De Haenen in 2002.
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The airport's short runway
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, is known for having the shortest commercial runway in the world. The runway, flanked by high hills and cliffs that drop into the sea at both ends, presents a challenging and unique landing experience for pilots.
The runway, with a length of only 400 meters (1,312 feet), requires special piloting skills and is closed to jet traffic due to its short length. However, smaller Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander, are commonly seen at the airport. These aircraft are operated by the locally-owned airline Winair, which provides daily flights to and from Sint Maarten.
The history of the airport's construction is intriguing. The idea of building an airport on Saba is credited to Remy de Haenen, who, after making several landings in a seaplane off Fort Bay Harbour as early as 1946, suggested Flat Point as the ideal site for the airport. The airport officially began service on July 24, 1963, after receiving funding from the Dutch government.
The short runway presents several challenges and considerations for pilots. There are weight and wind speed limitations, and landings are not possible if the runway is wet. The downward slope of the runway adds to the complexity of landings, and pilots must make steep descents and late flares while managing airspeed and applying maximum braking upon touchdown.
Despite the challenges, the airport serves as a lifeline for the island, bringing in tourists and facilitating medical evacuations for locals. The unique runway has even become a source of local pride, featuring on postage stamps and souvenir T-shirts with the slogan "I survived the Saba landing!".
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Airlines that fly to Saba Airport
Saba Airport, officially named Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (IATA: SAB, ICAO: TNCS), is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands. The airport is known for having the shortest commercial runway in the world, at only 400 metres (1,312 feet) long. Due to the short runway, the airport is closed to jet traffic, with only smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft, such as the DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters, being able to operate there.
Winair is the only airline that currently provides scheduled services to and from Saba Airport, with daily flights to and from Sint Maarten aboard a DHC-6 Twin Otter. These flights last no longer than 15 minutes. Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius are the only airports with flights to and from Saba.
In the past, Windward Islands Airways (Winair) operated a six-passenger STOL-capable Dornier Do 28 aircraft to service the island. This was before they began flying the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters in 1965, which they still use to serve the island today.
Sint Maarten politician Claude Wathey and Aruban politician Juancho Irausquin supported the construction of the airport, which officially began service on July 24, 1963. The airport is named after Irausquin, 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.
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The airport's terminal
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is the only airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, which is part of the Netherlands. The airport is named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin.
The terminal is described as very basic, with an open-air lounge and a small diner counter, but no retail services. There is no ATM, and credit cards, debit cards, and checks are not accepted. Security check-in begins approximately 30 minutes before Winair landing, and there is a single information and check-in counter. There is a public phone booth, but no shopping or food services.
Winair is the only airline currently providing scheduled services to and from Yrausquin Airport, with daily flights to Sint Maarten aboard a DHC-6 Twin Otter. These flights last no longer than 15 minutes on average.
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The airport's scenic location
The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, which belongs to the Netherlands. The airport is named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Irausquin and has been recognised as one of the most scenic airports in the world. It is perched on the northeastern tip of the island, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The airport's runway is renowned for being the shortest commercial runway in the world, spanning only 400 metres (1,312 feet) in length. This unique feature, combined with its dramatic setting, makes it a thrilling and memorable flying experience. The runway is flanked by high hills on one side, with cliffs that plummet into the sea at both ends, providing a dramatic backdrop for takeoffs and landings.
The approach to the airport is particularly awe-inspiring, as voters in the PrivateFly Scenic Airports poll have described: "It is thrilling! You see Saba in the distance, then closer and closer. Saba fills the window, you turn, and drop, and land! What a ride!" The dramatic north coast, known as the "King Kong" island, offers a stunning visual experience, with the fear of wings touching the rocks and the impressive final turn.
Due to its short runway, only small propeller-driven aircraft with up to 19 seats or STOL (short takeoff and landing) capabilities are allowed to operate at the airport. Airlines such as Winair, KLM, and Air France provide services to and from Saba Airport, with daily flights to Sint Maarten and other nearby destinations. The small and intimate terminal building at Saba Airport adds to its charm, resembling a family house with a single check-in counter and passport control.
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Frequently asked questions
Saba Airport, also known as Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, is in the Caribbean island of Saba, which belongs to the Netherlands.
The airport code for Saba Airport is SAB.
Saba Airport has been named one of the Top 10 Most Scenic Airports by PrivateFly. It is also home to the world's shortest commercial runway, which is only 1,312 feet long and flanked by high hills and cliffs on both ends.
