The World’s Most Unusual Runways That Amaze Travelers

When most travelers think of airports, they picture long concrete runways surrounded by terminals and taxiways. But some airports around the globe break every rule, offering landing experiences so unusual they feel surreal. From touching down on beaches to crossing public roads, here are some of the strangest and most fascinating runways in the world.

Barra, Scotland – Landing on a Beach



Barra Airport in the Outer Hebrides is the only airport in the world where scheduled flights land directly on a sandy beach. Pilots must carefully time their landings with the tides, touching down on the wide Traigh Mhòr beach. Passengers then walk across the sand dunes to reach a tiny terminal building. Cancellations due to weather and tides are common, but for aviation enthusiasts, sitting close to the cockpit and even glimpsing the pilot’s GPS screen makes this a dream experience.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia – The Boat Transfer Airport



Originally built during World War II, Bora Bora Airport sits on a small islet in the turquoise lagoon. Once you pick up your luggage, the journey isn’t over – travelers must board a boat to reach their resorts. Few airports can offer such a scenic transition from air to sea.

Don Mueang, Bangkok – A Golf Course Between Runways



Don Mueang International Airport is home to something you won’t find anywhere else: an 18-hole golf course right between two active runways. Golfers pass through security like passengers, and red warning lights flash when planes are landing. While Suvarnabhumi is Bangkok’s main gateway today, Don Mueang remains a hub for budget airlines – and even once hosted an Emirates Airbus A380 for an emergency landing in 2022.

Genoa, Italy – Runway Over the Sea



Built on an artificial peninsula due to lack of space in the city, Genoa’s Cristoforo Colombo Airport gives passengers the illusion of landing directly on the Mediterranean. The runway only appears in the final seconds before touchdown, making it both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

Gibraltar – A Runway That Crosses a Street



At Gibraltar Airport, the runway intersects with the territory’s busiest road. When planes take off or land, traffic is stopped by barriers – much like a railway crossing. This rare setup has become a quirky tourist attraction in its own right.

Kansai, Japan – An Airport on the Sea



Located nearly 5 km off Osaka’s coast, Kansai International Airport sits on two massive artificial islands. Designed by star architect Renzo Piano, the airport opened in 1994 and has since become an engineering marvel. Though the island initially sank 50 cm in its first year, Kansai stabilized and now features family attractions, an observation deck, and even a rooftop garden.

Marshall Islands – Landing on a Coral Strip



Majuro’s Amata Kabua International Airport features a runway just 2.5 km long built on a narrow coral atoll. Since construction materials had to be shipped across the Pacific, the airstrip is as isolated as it gets – a tiny lifeline in the middle of the ocean.

Nauru – A Runway in the Neighborhood



Nauru International Airport is unique for being squeezed between the island’s residential areas and coastline. The road that loops around the island actually intersects the runway, forcing cars and pedestrians to stop whenever planes land or depart.

Sumburgh, Scotland – Drive Across the Runway



To visit the archaeological site of Jarlshof in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, travelers must cross Sumburgh Airport’s runway. Road traffic is halted by barriers during takeoffs and landings, giving drivers a front-row seat to aviation in action.

Velana, Maldives – Touching Down Over Crystal Waters

Located on Hulhulé Island next to the capital Malé, Velana International Airport is surrounded by turquoise water. Its 3 km runway allows for large jets, while four additional seaplane runways connect luxury resorts across the Maldives. With major expansions underway, Velana continues to serve as the gateway to paradise.

From sandy beaches to coral reefs, these unusual runways prove that air travel can be as memorable as the destination itself. Which one would you dare to land on?

source: CNN

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