The 8 Most Remote Airports in the World
As humans, we like to be able to go anywhere on the planet. To do so, we use a variety of means of getting places, whether it’s by car, by train, or on foot. Sometimes, the plane is the one and only way, which means the world needs remote airports. Here are eight of the most remote airports in the world.
Alert Airport, Canada
Alert Airport is the northernmost permanent airport in the world. Formerly only used by the military, the facility now serves as a private company that carries sleds and fuel. It’s also used by allied military aircraft as an emergency source of fuel.
Paro Airport, Bhutan
Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. It’s also one of the world’s most challenging airports. Paro is used only by three airlines, and only while there's light outside. The remote airport is situated within a valley surrounded by the Himalayas, just a few meters from the Paro Chhu River. The high-altitude approach to Paro makes for a challenging, albeit thrilling, arrival. Airplanes have to literally take a sharp right angle in order to land at Paro Airport.
Barra Airport, Scotland
Barra Airport is situated on the Isle of Barra, in Scotland’s remote Outer Hebrides. It’s the world’s only airport where the runway is entirely covered by water at times, making the landing at the airport impossible during high tide.
Cordova Airport, Alaska
The small coastal town of Cordova in Alaska is cut off from roads, and can only be reached by boat or aircraft. The short runway is mainly used by small aircraft and private jets, as well as the occasional seaplane. Travelers landing at Cordova have the chance to take in the breathtaking view of the Alaskan landscape and the sea.
Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Nepal
One the world’s most geographically extreme airports serves as a gateway to Mount Everest. In 2008, the facility was renamed Tenzing-Hillary Airport in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The short, steep runway wedged between mountains can only be reached by smaller aircraft and helicopters and can be quite challenging for pilots. The airport is frequently ranked as one of the world’s most dangerous airports.
Svalbard Airport, Norway
Everything is remote in Svalbard, including its airport, which serves an average of 126,350 passengers each year.
Chokurdakh Airport, Russia
With Russia being home to the world’s most remote roads, it just makes sense that it would also be home to one of the most remote airports in the world.
Courchevel Airport, France
Being the site of a popular ski destination, private aircraft had long been denied access to the steep and short runway of Courchevel. In 2015, a charter operator is now allowed to use the landing strip at the highest airport in Europe, located only a few meters from the slopes. The airport was also featured in a James Bond film.
Check out our video to discover 2 more airports.
