Lois Larson
Airports with short runways are often challenging for pilots and require precise control of airspeed, adequate approach, and consistent utilization of the touchdown point. While most modern commercial aircraft need a paved runway of at least 6,000 feet (1,800 m), some airports have much shorter runways, including the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, with a runway length of only 400 m (1,312 ft). This airport is widely acknowledged as having the shortest commercial runway in the world, serving small STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft like the DHC-6 and BN-2. Other notable mentions include St. Mary's Airport in the Isles of Scilly, England, with a runway as short as 1,722 feet, and the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal, known for its dangerous 1,729-foot runway perched high in the mountains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport |
| Location | Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands |
| Runway Length | 400 metres (1,312 feet) |
| Aircraft Type | Smaller STOL airplanes (such as the DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters) |
| Airlines | Winair |
| Destinations | Sint Maarten |
| Average Flight Duration | 15 minutes |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 119,801 passengers (in 2017) |
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What You'll Learn
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba: 400m runway
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has the shortest commercial runway in the world, at just 400 metres (1,312 ft) long. The airport is named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Yrausquin.
The runway is flanked by high hills on one side, with cliffs that drop into the sea at both ends. Due to its short length, the airport is closed to jet traffic, but smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft, such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter, are able to land there. These smaller aircraft are often used by regional airlines and are granted permission to land by the Netherlands Antilles' Civil Aviation Authority.
The idea to build 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 identified Flat Point as the ideal site for an airport and, after the land was cleared and graded, he made the first landing of an aircraft on the island on 9 February 1959.
The airport officially opened on 24 July 1963, with a twin-engine PA-23 Apache piloted by George Greaux becoming the first aircraft to land on the newly asphalted runway. The airport is currently served by the locally owned airline Winair, which operates daily 15-minute flights to Sint Maarten.
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St. Mary's Airport, UK: 1,722ft runway
St. Marys Airport in the Isles of Scilly, UK, has one of the shortest runways in the world, measuring just 1,722 feet in length. While some sources claim the runway to be 2,000 ft long, others state it to be around 1,722 ft, which is extremely short for a runway and can only accommodate small aircraft. The airport covers an area of 286 acres at an elevation of 23 feet above mean sea level.
The airport has two asphalt runways: 4/22, which is 5,021 by 100 feet, and 13/31, which is 4,000 by 75 feet. St. Mary's Airport is known for its unique setting, with a public footpath passing within a few metres of the southern end of the runway. This footpath is closed off by warning lights and bells a few minutes before a take-off or landing to ensure safety.
The airport has faced some controversy and national security concerns due to its proximity to the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, which is located approximately one mile south of the airport. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the airport was closed for three months, and temporary flight restrictions were put in place. The Navy even pressed for a permanent closure of the airport, and a grant was received in 2004 to fund an airport relocation study.
Despite these challenges, St. Mary's Airport remains operational, with the terminal open all year round. In 2014, the European Commission approved funding for improvements to the terminal, new lighting and navigational systems, and runway resurfacing. These upgrades are expected to cost around £6.5 million.
In conclusion, St. Marys Airport in the Isles of Scilly, UK, with its extremely short runway of around 1,722 feet, presents a unique and challenging aviation environment, requiring skilled pilots and careful safety measures to ensure safe operations.
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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport: 2,460ft runway
The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has a runway length of 2,460 ft. Located on the Toronto Islands, southwest of Downtown Toronto, the airport is used for regional airline services, medical evacuation flights, small charter flights, and private aviation. The airport has a unique history, with the site previously housing Hanlan's Point baseball stadium, cottages, an amusement park, and a regatta course. The seaplane base was first utilised in 1938, and the paved runways and terminal building were inaugurated in 1939. During World War II, the airport served as a military training base.
Over the years, there have been various efforts and proposals to expand and improve the airport. In 1952, Toronto Mayor Allan A. Lamport advocated for expanding the airport to enhance its profitability. This led to the installation of an air traffic control system in 1953. In 1962, improvements were made, including a new hangar, the extension of the main runway to 4,000 ft (1,219 m), and the installation of night-time landing lights, enabling the resumption of night-time flights.
Despite these enhancements, the runways at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport remained too short for passenger jets, prompting the Harbour Commission to propose converting the airport or constructing a new one on reclaimed land from Lake Ontario in 1967. The airport's proximity to downtown hospitals makes it ideal for medical evacuation flights, but jet aircraft are generally banned from operating there, except for specific situations.
While Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport boasts a runway of 2,460 ft, it is not the shortest in the world. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba claims the title of the shortest commercial runway globally, with a length of only 400 m (1,312 ft). This airport is closed to jet traffic due to the short runway, but smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft, such as the DHC-6 and BN-2, are commonly seen.
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Washington Reagan National Airport: 5,204ft runway
The Washington Reagan National Airport, one of the 25 busiest airports in the US, has a unique set of features, including tight security restrictions, a congested ramp area, and a distinct approach. Its runway 15/33, at just 5,204 feet, is one of the country's shortest. This runway's length is constrained by the airport's proximity to the Potomac River, and it primarily handles departing regional jets.
The airport's location near the Potomac River also influences the approach path of incoming flights. Due to noise restrictions and security concerns, pilots approaching from the north follow the river and turn just before landing, a manoeuvre known as the River Visual. This approach requires a ceiling of at least 3,500 feet and good visibility. The airport's main runway 1/19 is the busiest in the country, handling 819 daily movements.
Washington Reagan National Airport is a "short-haul" airport, serving destinations within a 1,250-mile radius of Washington, DC, with some exceptions. It is a hub for American Airlines and has faced safety concerns due to several incidents. The airport has a rich history, with a historical display showcasing the Abingdon plantation, which was once located on the site.
The airport has a range of facilities, including nearly 100 shops and restaurants, and has undergone expansions to address congestion. It has three runways: runway 1/19, at 7,169 feet; runway 15/33, at 5,204 feet; and runway 4/22, at 5,000 feet. Runway 4/22 is too short for commercial aircraft arrivals but is sometimes used for departures.
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Hilton Head Island Airport: 5,000ft runway
Hilton Head Island Airport, located on the southern coast of South Carolina, boasts the smallest runway served by airliners in the US, at just 5,000 feet in length. This runway is exceptionally narrow, at only 100 feet wide, which is 50 to 100 feet narrower than a standard airline-use runway. Due to its proximity to tree lines, the runway has displaced thresholds on both ends, further reducing the available landing distance to 4,703 feet on runway 3 and 4,597 feet on runway 21.
The short runway at Hilton Head requires specific techniques for landing and takeoff. Aircraft must utilize full flaps, maximum braking, and a touchdown within the first 1,000 feet of the runway is non-negotiable. These precise procedures demand that pilots are well-versed in short-field techniques and are able to factor in environmental conditions such as wind.
The airport exclusively serves the Embraer 170 aircraft, which is part of the E-Jet family. The introduction of airline service to Hilton Head Island Airport is relatively recent, having commenced in July 2018.
While Hilton Head stands out for its short runway, other airports also present similar challenges. For example, Washington Reagan National Airport's runway 15/33 is one of the country's shortest at 5,204 feet, and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, is known for its short runway 2L/20R, which is 4,800 feet long.
Additionally, some airports around the world feature even shorter runways. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has the shortest commercial runway in the world at only 400 metres (1,312 feet) in length. This airport is closed to jet traffic due to the short runway, but smaller STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft are able to operate there. Another notable example is St. Mary's Airport (ISC) in the Isles of Scilly, England, which has a mixed asphalt/grass runway that is just 1,722 feet long.
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Frequently asked questions
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has the shortest commercial runway in the world, at 400 m (1,312 ft) long.
John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County is famous for having "the shortest commercial runway in the US". The runway is 5,701 ft long.
St. Mary's Airport (ISC) in the Isles of Scilly, England, has two runways. The shorter runway is 1,722 ft long.
