The Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has a runway of just 400 metres or 1,312 feet long. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport might have the shortest runway in the world for regular passenger service.
With cliffs at either end, it is not for the faint hearted. Scheduled services are operated by Winair, which is short for Winward Islands Airways, who operate to Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts), Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten using the Twin Otter.
Shortest Runway In The World Video
The video below runs for just over two minutes and shows one of the aircraft landing and taking off. For what it’s worth, the landing looks relatively fine as it stops before the taxiway. What’s fun is seeing the tiny terminal which looks a bit like a toy.
Take-off looks a bit more sporty, with full power applied before brake release. The plane then uses the entire length of the runway before heading into the air.
Of course, this is completely safe and the Twin Otter operates in and out of Saba all the time. Like all certified airports, there are fire services but there are no records of any accidents at the facility.
The prevailing wind helps aircraft get into the sky and apparently the airport will not accept services if the wind is in the wrong direction or if it is calm. Quite unusual but not surprising with such a small runway.
Overall Thoughts
While I am sure it’s not the shortest runway in the world (there are grass strips and so on that would be shorter), it is perhaps the shortest with regularly scheduled service. Saba was voted the most scenic approach in the world at one time, and features in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 as one of the select airports with detailed scenery. You can therefore give it a try from the comfort of your home.
I have not been to Saba, but I’d sure like to go and experience flying in and out of there. Luckily I am not afraid of flying as I imagine it would be a little daunting for the nervous flyer.
Have you been to Saba before? What was it like? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Fyodor Borisov on Airliners.net via Wikimedia Commons.
try St Barts
I know, it’s very similar! 🙂
Would love to fly in and out of this airport just for the thrills. Definitely not one for the faint hearted
Same here! Plus I’d get to visit Saba, which would be nice too.
So weird you should feature this as I was JUST watching a You Tuber try and take off/land all sorts of planes at Saba on Flight Sim. Many humorous results:
Watch and enjoy!
Hahaha – that is brilliant! I’ve done similar things when playing Flight Simulator in the past. Keeps it fun! Thanks for that, great video 🙂