Jazmin Li
While most people associate airports with great heights, there are several airports around the world that are located below sea level. Airports are typically built on large areas of flat land near large bodies of water, which can include wetlands, marshlands, and floodplains. As sea levels continue to rise due to climate change, airports located near the ocean are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather events. In this context, let's explore which airports are below sea level and how they are addressing the challenges posed by their low-lying locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports below sea level | Bar Yehuda Airfield, Furnace Creek Airport, Death Valley, Amsterdam Schiphol, Atyrau Airport |
| Bar Yehuda Airfield elevation | 378 m (1,240 ft) below mean sea level |
| Furnace Creek Airport elevation | 210 ft below sea level |
| Amsterdam Schiphol elevation | 3 m below sea level |
| Atyrau Airport elevation | 72 ft below sea level |
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What You'll Learn
Atyrau Airport, Kazakhstan
While most people associate airports with great heights, Atyrau Airport in Kazakhstan is quite the opposite. Located 72 feet (approximately 22 meters) below sea level, it is the lowest commercial airport in the world.
Atyrau Airport is one of five international airports in Kazakhstan and is located on a flat grassy plain near the city of Atyrau. Its proximity to the Caspian Sea, the planet's largest inland lake, makes it a crucial gateway for the region. The Caspian Sea borders several countries, including Iran, Russia, and Azerbaijan, and is known for its rich oil and gas reserves. Atyrau Airport plays a vital role in the local economy by facilitating the transportation of workers and supplies to and from the nearby gas and oil fields. The airport is also central to the city of Atyrau, which has a high density of oil and construction companies.
Being below sea level gives Atyrau Airport certain advantages and disadvantages. Aircraft typically find landing and taking off at high altitudes challenging due to thin air. However, this is less of an issue at Atyrau Airport. On the other hand, the airport may face problems with aircraft electronics and GPS connections, which are usually calibrated to work above sea level.
The low elevation of airports like Atyrau is often a result of practical considerations. Airports require vast areas of flat land for runways, and historically, such spaces were often found on wetlands, marshlands, and floodplains near large bodies of water. Unfortunately, this proximity to water also makes these airports vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.
As climate change intensifies, airports close to sea level, such as Atyrau, may face increasing pressure from investors to prepare for potential consequences, including the risk of flooding and extreme weather events. While Atyrau Airport is currently the world's lowest commercial airport, it is worth noting that other aerodromes, like Israel's Bar Yehuda Airfield, are located at even lower altitudes.
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Bar Yehuda Airfield, Israel
Several airports are situated below sea level, with Amsterdam Schiphol sitting at three meters below sea level, and Kansai International Airport at 3.4 meters above sea level. However, the Bar Yehuda Airfield in Israel is a notable example of an airport that is significantly below sea level.
Located in the southern Judean desert, between Arad and Ein Gedi, and west of the Dead Sea, Bar Yehuda Airfield (also known as Masada Airfield) sits at approximately 378 meters (1,240 feet) below mean sea level, making it the lowest airport in the world in terms of altitude. The airfield, named after Yisrael Bar-Yehuda, opened in 1963 and is a public concession, mainly used as an alternate airport and for charter and sightseeing flights. It is about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Jerusalem and just 4.2 kilometers (2.5/8 miles) from the Masada fortress access.
The extreme low altitude of Bar Yehuda Airfield presents unique challenges and considerations, particularly in terms of aviation operations and maintenance. Aircraft performance and engine efficiency can be affected by the thin air at low altitudes, and special procedures may be required for take-off and landing. Additionally, the desert environment and proximity to the Dead Sea may pose challenges in terms of aircraft and infrastructure maintenance due to the potential for corrosion and the impact of sand and high temperatures on aircraft performance.
The airfield's location below sea level also has implications for navigation and airspace management. Air pressure, temperature, and density altitude can vary significantly at low altitudes, affecting aircraft instrumentation and navigation systems. These factors may require specialized training for pilots operating at Bar Yehuda Airfield, as well as precise airspace design and routing to ensure safe and efficient operations.
The unique characteristics of Bar Yehuda Airfield present operational complexities that are not typically encountered at other airports. These challenges are likely a key consideration for pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance crews operating in this environment. Despite these complexities, the airfield's location below sea level also offers a distinct advantage in terms of providing a challenging yet scenic destination for charter and sightseeing flights, particularly for those interested in the nearby Masada fortress.
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Amsterdam Schiphol, Netherlands
Amsterdam Schiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands, is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam. It is one of the world's lowest major commercial airports, with parts of the airport sitting 3 to 4.5 metres below sea level. Schiphol is one of only eleven airports worldwide that are below sea level, the fifth lowest with scheduled flights, and the third lowest with international flights.
The airport is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal is split into three departure halls. Schiphol has six runways, one of which is used mainly by general aviation. The Schiphol Airport train station is located directly below the airport, taking passengers to Amsterdam Central Station in less than 20 minutes.
Schiphol was opened on 16 September 1916 as a military airbase, and civilian use of the airport began after the First World War ended. By 1940, Schiphol had four asphalt runways at 45-degree angles. During the Second World War, the airport was captured by the German military and renamed Fliegerhorst Schiphol. It was destroyed through bombing, but the airfield was soon rebuilt after the war. In 1949, it was decided that Schiphol was to become the primary airport of the Netherlands.
Today, Schiphol is the principal hub for KLM and its regional affiliate KLM Cityhopper, as well as for Martinair. The airport also serves as an operating base for several other airlines, including Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, and Transavia. Schiphol was voted the Best Airport in Western Europe in 2020 and ranked as Europe's third busiest and the world's eleventh busiest by total passenger traffic in 2017.
In addition to its functionality as an airport, Schiphol offers various amenities for travellers, including shopping and dining opportunities. The first airport library in the world opened at Schiphol in 2010, and the airport also features notable public artworks, such as the Schiphol clock by Maarten Baas.
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Kansai International Airport, Japan
Kansai International Airport in Japan is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay. It is approximately 3.4 metres above sea level. The airport opened on 4 September 1994 and was the first in Japan to operate 24 hours a day. It is the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.
Kansai International Airport is the third busiest airport in Japan, serving 31.9 million passengers in 2019. It is a hub for several airlines, including All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and Nippon Cargo Airlines. The airport has two runways, with the second one opened in 2007, measuring 4,000 metres by 60 metres.
The construction of the airport faced challenges due to the soft soils of Osaka Bay, which caused the island to sink faster than predicted. By 1999, the island had sunk 8.2 metres, almost 50% more than the initial estimate. The total cost of the airport as of 2008 was $20 billion, including land reclamation, runways, terminals, and facilities.
Kansai International Airport has received recognition for its services, including being ranked the tenth-best airport in the world by Skytrax in 2020. It also received awards for Best Airport Staff in Asia, World's Best Airport Staff, and World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery.
The airport provides various amenities for travellers, including free Wi-Fi, currency exchange offices, and a Tourist Information Centre with multilingual staff. It is accessible by train, bus, and taxi, with travel times of around 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka and 100 minutes to Kyoto Station.
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Climate change and rising sea levels
The Bar Yehuda Airfield in Israel is the lowest airport in the world, located 378 meters (1,240 feet) below mean sea level. Other airports situated below sea level include Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which sits three meters below sea level, and Kansai International Airport, which sits 3.4 meters above sea level.
The impact of rising sea levels is already being felt by airports near water bodies. For instance, in 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused significant disruptions at New York's low-lying airports, including Newark Liberty, John F. Kennedy, and LaGuardia airports. Similarly, Typhoon Jebi in Japan wreaked havoc on Kansai International Airport, stranding more than 3,000 passengers due to sodden runways and disruptions.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average global sea level rose by 2.6 inches between 1993 and 2014 and continues to climb by about one-eighth of an inch annually. The rising water level is mainly attributed to the combination of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets and the thermal expansion of seawater.
Climate change models project that the average sea level rise could reach 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) by 2100 and 3.9 meters (13 feet) by 2150 if greenhouse gas emissions remain high. Even with lower emissions, global mean sea levels are expected to rise by at least one foot (0.3 meters) above 2000 levels by the end of the century.
As sea levels continue to rise, coastal areas, including airports, face increased risks of flooding, erosion, and hazardous storms. The impact of these events can lead to costly disruptions and pose threats to the safety of passengers and staff. Therefore, it is imperative for airports near sea level to implement measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect their infrastructure and operations from the encroaching waters.
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Frequently asked questions
Bar Yehuda Airfield, also known as Masada Airfield, is located 378 meters (1,240 feet) below mean sea level, making it the lowest airport in the world.
Yes, Furnace Creek Airport in Death Valley is located 210 feet below sea level, and Atyrau Airport in Kazakhstan is 72 feet below sea level.
Yes, according to a 2014 study by the US National Climate Assessment, 13 of the largest airports in the US are vulnerable to flooding, with airports in New York, California, and Florida at particular risk. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands is also below sea level and has been impacted by flooding in the past.
Airports require large areas of flat land for runways and aircraft takeoff. Historically, this type of space has been found on wetlands, marshlands, and floodplains near large bodies of water.
Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as storms, flooding, and hurricanes, which can cause major disruptions and damage to airports near sea level. For example, in 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused flooding and disruptions at multiple airports in New York.
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