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Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is an airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba. Named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin, the airport has the shortest commercial runway in the world, at just 400 metres (1,312 feet) long. Due to its short runway, the airport is closed to jet traffic, with only smaller STOL aircraft such as the DHC-6, BN-2, helicopters, and propeller planes being able to land there. The airport offers stunning views of the surrounding sea and mountains and is a popular destination for plane spotters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands |
| Runway Length | 400 metres (1,312 feet) or 1,299 feet (398 metres) |
| Runway Number | 1 |
| Runway Orientation | 12/30 |
| Aircraft | Smaller STOL airplanes such as DHC-6, BN-2, helicopters, BN-2 Islander, and Twin Otter |
| Airlines | Windward Islands Airways (Winair) |
| Destinations | Sint Maarten |
| Flight Duration to Sint Maarten | 15 minutes |
| Terminal | Yes, with a small ramp and a designated helipad |
| Helipad | Yes |
| Tower | Yes, but only as an advisory service |
| Fuel Availability | No |
| Nearest Airport with Fuel | Princess Juliana International Airport |
| Distance to Nearest Airport with Fuel | 30 miles |
| Named After | Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is named after Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands. The airport is named after Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin, also known as Juan Enrique Irausquin. Born in 1904, Yrausquin was reportedly of Venezuelan descent, with Basque roots from Spain.
Yrausquin was a politician and statesman, serving as Minister of Finance for the Netherlands Antilles. He was also a member of the House of Representatives, the Netherlands Antilles parliament, and was involved in various economic and financial committees. In addition, he was President of the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Board, and co-founded the Rotary Club and the Home Building Foundation in Aruba.
The airport itself is notable for having the shortest commercial runway in the world, at just 400 metres (1,312 feet) in length. Due to its short runway, the airport is closed to jet traffic, accommodating only smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander.
The idea to build an airport on Saba is credited to Remy de Haenen, who proposed the concept to the Saba Economic Council. Construction of the airport began in 1962, with funding provided by the Dutch government. The airport officially began service in 1963, with regular flights to and from Sint Maarten.
Located approximately 200 miles east and south of Puerto Rico, Saba is known as the "Unspoiled Queen" of the Caribbean due to its remote nature and focus on sustainable tourism. The island offers scuba diving, hiking trails, and golden beaches for visitors to enjoy.
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It has the world's shortest commercial runway
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands. Its runway, with a length of 400 metres (1,312 feet), is widely acknowledged as the shortest commercial runway in the world. The runway is flanked on one side by high hills, with cliffs that drop into the sea at both ends. Due to its short length, the airport is closed to jet traffic, and only smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft are able to land there.
The most common aircraft that land at the airport are the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, which are well-suited to the short runway due to their STOL capabilities. Helicopters are also commonly seen at the airport, as they can easily manoeuvre in and out of the tight space. The airport has a small ramp and terminal on the southwest flank of the runway, with a designated helipad on the ramp.
The idea of constructing an airport on Saba is credited to Remy de Haenen, who presented the proposal to the Saba Economic Council, along with a contractor named Jacques Deldevert. The airport is named after Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin, who played a crucial role in securing funding for its construction. During a treacherous voyage to Saba in 1960, Yrausquin vowed to seek funds for an airport on the island if his life was spared.
The short runway poses unique challenges and has gained recognition from pilots and passengers alike. One commentator described the landing experience: "It looks like you are landing on an aircraft carrier. Having the mountain on the right, the ocean on the left, and cliffs at both ends of the runway makes for an awe-inspiring landing." Despite the challenges, the airport is a vital link for the island of Saba, providing daily connections to Sint Maarten through the local airline Winair, with flights lasting approximately 15 minutes.
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It is closed to jet traffic
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands. It is widely acknowledged to have the shortest commercial runway in the world, at just 400 metres (1,312 feet) in length. The airport is named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin.
Due to the extremely short runway, the airport is closed to jet traffic. The runway is flanked by high hills, with steep cliffs that drop into the sea at both ends. These geographical features make it impossible for jet aircraft to land safely. Smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft, such as the DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters, are commonly seen at the airport. These smaller aircraft are able to manoeuvre the short runway more effectively than jets.
The only airline currently providing scheduled services to and from Yrausquin Airport is the locally owned Winair, which operates daily flights to Sint Maarten. These flights are typically very short, lasting no longer than 12 to 15 minutes. To reach the island of Saba from St. Maarten, passengers can opt for a quick 12-minute flight or a 90-minute boat ride.
Despite the challenges posed by its short runway, there has never been a fatal accident at Yrausquin Airport. However, many aviators still consider it one of the world's most dangerous airports due to the potential risks associated with its unique location and runway characteristics.
The airport on Saba provides a unique travel experience, and those wishing to visit will need to board a smaller aircraft or helicopter to access this exotic Caribbean destination.
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The most common aircraft to land there are the DHC-6 Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands. Its runway is widely acknowledged as the shortest commercial runway in the world, with a length of only 400 metres (1,312 feet). Due to the short runway, jet aircraft are unable to land at the airport. Instead, smaller Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander, are commonly seen at the airport.
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada in the mid-1960s. It is known for its twin turboprop engines, fixed tricycle undercarriage, and high rate of climb. The aircraft typically seats 18-20 passengers and is commonly used as a commuter airliner, cargo plane, and medical evacuation aircraft. The Twin Otter has been in production since 1965, with Viking Air (now operating as De Havilland Canada) currently producing the DHC-6 Classic 300-G variant.
The BN-2 Islander, developed by Britten-Norman, is another popular STOL aircraft. With its modular cabin design, the Islander can be configured for various roles, including passenger transport and cargo carriage. The aircraft is known for its dependability and ability to operate in harsh conditions, serving customers in over 100 countries. The BN-2 Islander has been in production since 1965, with continuous refinements and enhancements made over the years.
Both the DHC-6 Twin Otter and BN-2 Islander are well-suited for landing at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport due to their STOL capabilities, allowing them to operate on the short runway. These aircraft provide vital air connectivity to the small island of Saba, connecting it to nearby destinations such as Sint Maarten.
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The island of Saba offers amazing scuba diving adventures
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, in the Netherlands. Named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin, the airport is known for having the shortest commercial runway in the world, at just 400 metres (1,312 feet) long. The runway is flanked by high hills and cliffs that drop into the sea, making it accessible only to small propeller aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities.
The island of Saba, served by this airport, offers amazing scuba diving adventures. With its rugged, volcanic landscape, Saba is often described as a piece of the Pacific in the Caribbean. The Saba National Marine Park, established to preserve the island's marine resources, circles the entire island. The park, managed by the Saba Conservation Foundation, boasts over 30 moored dive sites, ranging from shallow patch reefs to deepwater seamounts. Divers can explore natural labyrinths and groove formations created by volcanic lava flow in areas like Ladder Bay, where nurse sharks, sea turtles, eels, and tarpon can be spotted.
Saba's scuba diving conditions are excellent year-round, with little variance in air and water temperatures. The water temperature ranges from 77º-84ºF, and visibility can be over 100 feet. The island's three dive centres offer personalised services, ensuring each dive is tailored to the divers' needs.
For those seeking a unique diving experience, Saba is an ideal destination. Its pristine waters, abundant marine life, and dramatic underwater landscapes offer divers unforgettable memories. The island's small, cozy accommodations and charming blend of Caribbean, Dutch, and English influences further enhance the allure of Saba as a scuba diving paradise.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba.
The runway at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is widely acknowledged as the shortest commercial runway in the world, with a length of around 400m (1,312 ft).
No, the runway is too short for jet aircraft to land. Only smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft such as the DHC-6, BN-2, helicopters, and propeller aircraft are able to land at the airport.
The airport has a small ramp and terminal on the southwest flank of the runway, with a designated helipad. The terminal building houses offices, immigration and security, a fire department, and a tower (which provides an advisory service only).
Yes, if you are looking for an airport with a longer runway or more facilities, Princess Juliana International Airport is located roughly 30 miles to the northeast on the Dutch half of the island of Sint Maarten.
