From far-off destinations on exotic continents to mountain airports that are miles from civilization to landing strips in the middle of the desert, there’s plenty to explore in the farthest reaches of our world—as long as you go by plane.
Whether you’re searching for a new flying adventure, or are simply an aviation enthusiast, you may be interested to learn more about the most remote airports in the world. Here are some airports and airstrips situated in some most isolated places in the world that you won’t believe exist – let’s get started!
Gorge River Airstrip, New Zealand
On your flight to Gorge River Airstrip, you’ll fly through unspoiled, natural landscapes of dramatic rugged coastlines, sweeping curved beaches, deep fjords, high alpine snowfields, mountains and spectacular glaciers. Gorge River is between two better-known remote places in South Westland—Martins Bay and Jackson Bay. At the airstrip, pilots will find a short, tricky landing, that serves just 150 planes per year.
Barra Airport, Scotland
The Outer Hebrides in Scotland is home to the most remote airport in Europe, Barra Airport. As the only place in the world with a beach for a landing strip, planes can only land at the airport when the tide is out, otherwise they’d dive into the sea. Flying into Barra is one of the most thrilling approaches a pilot can experience, and has been voted the world’s most spectacular landing.
Lukla Airport, Nepal
Lukla Airport is known as one of the most geographically extreme airports in the world. As the gateway to Mount Everest, the airport is only accessible by small plane and helicopter, due to its steep, short runway that’s tucked between the mountains. Landing here is not for the faint of heart; The History Channel’s Most Extreme Airports rated the airport as the most dangerous airport in the world for over 20 years!
McMurdo Station Ice Runway, Antarctica
It doesn’t get much more remote than Antarctica. Located near the McMurdo Station, Ice Runway is rebuilt every year, as ice melts and refreezes between the warm and cold seasons. Landing on the fresh blue ice in the middle of a sea of white is something you’ll always remember and can’t wait to do again.
Rurrenabaque Airport, Bolivia
Rurrenabaque Airport is an airport serving Rurrenabaque, a port city on the Beni River in Bolivia. The tarmac was paved with asphalt in 2010 and is the only strip for the planes to land on. The rest is all dirt and mud, and you’re likely to see some hens and chickens just off the runway at this remote airport!
Mataveri International Airport, Easter Island
Mataveri International Airport on famed Easter Island is technically considered the most remote airport in the world. From here it is 1,600 miles west to Totegegie Airport in French Polynesia, while the Chilean mainland is even further, lying over 2,000 miles away. However, despite its isolation, high interest in the Moai, Easter Island’s unique stone head sculptures, brings a steady amount of tourists to the airport throughout the year.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport, Russia
With its moon-like landscape, snow-capped mountain and remnants of volcanic activity, landing on the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka will provide any pilot with an unbelievable experience. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport, a nine-hour flight from Moscow, is the only way to access the Kamchatka region and experience its breathtaking landscapes.
Kourou Arkenne Airport, Sahara Desert
While Kourou Arkenne Airport, straddling the Libya-Niger border, may not be the world’s remotest airport, it is likely the most barren. Kourou Arkenne is a paved airstrip located smack-dab in the middle of the Sahara Desert. There’s almost no sign of civilization in sight at this airport; no road, not even a terminal building – just desert as far as the eye can see!
Do You Want to Explore the World’s Best Destinations by Plane?
Whether you’re someone that wants to learn to fly or a certified pilot that wants to further their education, Inflight Pilot Training can help you gain the freedom to explore the world’s best destinations.
We are a leading flight instruction company serving Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a reputable training program and an extensive roster of highly skilled, certified flight instructors, we can give you the freedom to fly wherever you wish.
For additional information on Inflight training programs, contact us today or call (952) 698-3000.