03-05-2025
Tiny airport is world's smallest with 400m runway but dubbed most beautiful
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has the shortest commercial runway in the world at just 400 metres, but it is a point of fascination
Airports are often associated with vast, busy terminals, soaring control towers, and endless stretches of concrete runway.
But not every flying experience begins in a sprawling metropolis. In fact, some of the most special journeys start at the world 's tiniest airstrips—like the one perched on the edge of the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport holds the title of the world's smallest commercial airport, and with good reason. Its runway measures just 400 metres, flanked on either side by steep cliffs and the open sea.
By comparison, major international airports typically have runways that exceed 3,000 metres. Heathrow's two runways, for instance, stretch 3,902 metres and 3,658 metres - almost ten times the length of Saba's.
This dramatically short runway determines what kind of aircraft can operate there. While Heathrow and other large hubs accommodate everything from wide-body jets to massive cargo planes, Juancho E. Yrausquin is strictly limited to small, propeller-driven aircraft. One of the most common is the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, which carries just 18 to 20 passengers.
Landing here isn't just a test of engineering - it's also bound by strict regulations. Only propeller aircraft operated by regional airlines are permitted to land, and even then, only under special waivers issued by the Netherlands Antilles' Civil Aviation Authority. The unique conditions and inherent risk have made it a point of fascination for aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
The airport's story began on February 9, 1959, when the first aircraft landed at Flat Point, a privately owned stretch of land on the island. The historic flight, piloted by Remy de Haenen, was a landmark moment for the residents of Saba, nearly all of whom gathered to witness the occasion. However, the initial excitement was short-lived. Following the inaugural flight, de Haenen was banned from flying to and from the island, and no other aircraft landed there until proper infrastructure was developed.
By 1962, the lack of a functioning airport had become a significant issue for the island. In response, the Dutch government allocated 600,000 guilders - equivalent to over €300,000 today - to build a proper airstrip. The airport officially reopened in 1963, ushering in a new era of accessibility for Saba.
Tragedy struck in 1998 when Hurricane Georges swept through the region, damaging the terminal with winds reaching up to 155 miles per hour. In the aftermath, the Dutch government funded a new terminal, which opened in 2002. The airport was then named in honour of Remy de Haenen, the pioneer who made that first historic flight. A propeller from his original aircraft still sits on display at the airport today, a tribute to the man who made the impossible landing possible.
Though tiny in size, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is a giant in character, offering not just a gateway to Saba's rugged beauty, but also a testament to the extraordinary places aviation can reach.
