7 of the world’s most weird airports with ‘disappearing’ runways and lions close to terminals
From disappearing sea runways to lion roars as you land, these are some of the most unusual airports in the world that you might mistake for something else entirely
There are some bizarre airports, whether it’s due to their striking location or disappearing runways (Image: Getty Images)
There are more than 400,000 airports worldwide; some serve as crucial international hubs connecting major countries, while others provide transport between cities with a collection of domestic flights. Thousands of passengers pass through their terminals every day, while some offer only a small service, but there are a handful of airports where it’s hard to believe they even exist at all.
Amongst the mammoth airports known by name and the regional hubs nearest the traveller’s home, there are some truly fascinating airports. And it’s because they house the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, like Singapore Changi Airport, or because they’re the world’s busiest hub, like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
In fact, there are some incredibly unusual airports found all over the world that would leave even the most frequent traveller questioning if they had made a wrong turn. Yet, despite their bizarre crossings, remote locations and hair-raising landings, they remain a key hub for many passengers…
1. Gibraltar International Airport
Cancelled flights and delays can happen, but there’s one airport where this might occur due to passing traffic. Remarkably, the runway at Gibraltar International Airport cuts across a public road, Winston Churchill Avenue, and, prior to the opening of a 350-meter tunnel in 2023, this required closing the road whenever an aircraft took off or landed. Thankfully, vehicles can now travel through the Kingsway Tunnel and avoid being halted at the runway by traffic barriers , as they did before. However, pedestrians and cyclists can still cross the runway today when it’s not in use by an aircraft, and it’s become one of Gibraltar’s major tourist attractions.(Image: Getty Images)
2. Barra Airport
One hub a little closer to home is Barra Airport in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, the world’s only airport where commercial planes land directly onto a sandy beach before the runway disappears under the sea. It’s widely regarded as one of the most remarkable airport runways, where you’ll see passengers strolling across the beach to the small seaside terminal before boarding their plane directly from the golden sand. There are three beach runways, with the longest stretching approximately 846 metres, marked by understated wooden poles that can be completely submerged at high tide, which typically occurs twice daily. As a result, scheduled flights and departure times are largely dictated by the tides, and it’s not unusual for flights to be scrapped due to challenging weather conditions.(Image: Getty Images)
3. Stiegler’s Gorge Airstrip
Ever stepped off a plane to the sound of roaring lions? No, neither have we. But you can when flying into one part of Africa. While it’s more of an airstrip than an airport, Stiegler’s Gorge Airport is located within Nyerere National Park in Tanzania, the largest protected wildlife area in Africa. It’s not uncommon for wildlife to casually stroll across the runway, with pilots reportedly needing to do a flyby before landing to ensure the runway is clear. But they have rangers on hand to keep everyone safe, although lions are known to seek shade near the terminal.
4. Skiathos International Airport
This airport in Greece is rather unusual for its dramatic location. Its close proximity to Xanemos Beach means planes soar just metres above sunbathers’ heads, drawing aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrilling sound of a jet soaring starkly close overhead.(Image: Getty Images)
5. Don Mueang International Airport
To help keep passengers entertained while waiting for their flights, it’s not unusual for airports to offer an array of attractions and unique spaces. But they’re often found inside, not wedged between two runways. Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok has a striking 18-hole golf course, known as the Kantarat Golf Course, sandwiched between two active runways. You might think there’d be high fences blocking the area, nope. Instead, golfers are simply required to pause their game and clear the area when a red warning signal appears for either a flight departure or arrival.(Image: Getty Images)
6. Madeira Airport
Madeira Airport has a substantial section of its runway built on a platform extending out to sea, and its location, sandwiched between towering mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, makes it one of the most challenging places to land.(Image: Getty Images)
