Which Nation Constructed an Airport Catering to a Single Commercial Plane Landing?

Have you ever heard of an airport that only landed one commercial aircraft? No, it's not a joke. This airport is real and was built in the Republic of Kosovo.

In 2013, the newly established government of Kosovo decided to build an airport in the town of Gjilan with the aim of boosting economic development and tourism in the region.

But why did they only have one commercial flight? Well, it turns out that there were several issues, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles that prevented the airport from attracting more airlines or flights.

The airport was completed in 2014 and cost around 15 million euros. However, due to the lack of demand and infrastructure, it only managed to land one commercial flight from Istanbul operated by Turkish Airlines.

Since then, the airport has been mostly used for military purposes, private jets, and occasional cargo flights.

It's surprising how a brand new airport with modern facilities and equipment could be deserted so quickly. The town of Gjilan and the surrounding area missed out on the economic benefits and opportunities that come with having a functional airport.

Moreover, the airport became a subject of controversy and criticism from taxpayers and opposition parties, who labelled it as a waste of public funds and poor planning.

So, what can we learn from this situation? One lesson is that building an airport alone doesn't guarantee its success. Effective marketing, efficient management, and adequate connectivity are essential elements for attracting airlines and passengers.

Furthermore, a feasibility study and market analysis should be conducted before launching any construction project to ensure that there's enough demand and potential customers.

This case also highlights the importance of regional cooperation and integration in air transport. Kosovo is a small country surrounded by other countries that have their own airports and aviation systems. Therefore, it's crucial to cooperate and coordinate with neighbouring countries to establish a viable and sustainable air transport network.

Finally, let's hope that the airport in Gjilan can become a success story in the future and not just a reminder of missed opportunities and poor planning.

If you want to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of air transport infrastructure in Kosovo and other developing countries, keep following our blog.

Don't forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who are interested in aviation and infrastructure development.

"Which Country Built An Airport That Only Landed One Commercial Aircraft?" ~ bbaz

The Unusual Airport With One Commercial Airline

There are numerous airports built around the world, with each serving various purposes, such as domestic flights, international carriage, and cargo routes. However, there is a distinct airport in the middle of nowhere constructed to accommodate only one commercial flight that has been flying for more than three decades. This is none other than the Matekane Air Strip.

The Location of Matekane Air Strip

The Matekane Air Strip is situated in Lesotho, the mountainous kingdom located in southern Africa. It is nestled between the Maletsunyane River Gorge and the sheer cliffs of the Maloti Mountains, with the runway measuring a mere 400 meters, which leaves little space for any error. It is a risky endeavor that requires enormous skill and precision for pilots to complete their takeoff and landing successfully.

The Building Process

The airport was commissioned by David Alexander, the Scottish engineer who had previously worked on building mountain airstrips all around the world. The construction process started in 1974, and Alexander and his crew huddled all throughout the rugged terrain to construct the runway, undeterred by the harshness of the surrounding environment. Together, they carved massive boulders that stood in their path to level the ground as much as possible, so the plane would be able to land safely. By 1980, the project was finally completed, culminating with the first commercial flight on February 4th of that year.

Why Only One Airline Uses Matekane Air Strip

The Matekane Air Strip has only one regular commercial airline that operates in and out of the airport - Semonkong Lodge Airline. The airline offers scenic flights over Lesotho and is a unique experience for the truly adventurous traveler. The airline operates small aircraft that can carry only a few passengers, which ensures that they make just one trip each day.

The Experience of Landing and Departing from Matekane Air Strip

The experience of flying in and out of Matekane Air Strip is like no other. It is a beautiful scene, with the airport situated on a plateau surrounded by steep mountains, providing awe-inspiring views that cannot be found elsewhere. The pilots are skilled, maneuvering the planes across the uneven terrain, and at times, there are no barriers to stop them from plummeting off the edge of the cliff. The landing is risky, as it requires dramatic drops to slow the plane down. However, if everything goes well, this can be a breathtaking experience.

The Benefits of Building One-Of-A-Kind Airport

One may wonder what could have motivated Alexander to design such an airport in the middle of nowhere and what benefits are there for building such an unusual airport. The answer to that lies in the fact that Lesotho is a mountainous place that is bereft of flatlands required to construct significant international airports. Alexander was driven by the desire to bring tourism to this beautiful landscape, and before the airport, it was incredibly hard to access this beautiful region of the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Matekane Air Strip airport is a remarkable and remarkable achievement that aptly illustrates human ingenuity and inventiveness. It is a testament to the incredible potential of idealistic men and women who dare to take risks when others refuse to do so. It is an airport unlike any other, carrying precious cargo - tourists seeking adventure and beauty and memories to last a lifetime.

Which Country Built An Airport That Only Landed One Commercial Aircraft?

Introduction

Every country wants to boast of having the best infrastructure, including airports, which serve as a gateway to the outside world. However, the island nation of Saint Helena, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, built an airport that could only land one commercial aircraft. In this blog, we will explore what led to this unique airport construction project, its operational difficulties, and whether it was worth the investment.

The Background Story

Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory, with a population of approximately 5,000 people. It is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, with its nearest neighbour, Ascension Island, being over 1,200 km away. The island has no safe anchorage for large ships, which means that goods and people have always had to be transported by sea via ocean liners or cargo ships. However, this meant that the island was cut off from the rest of the world and suffered from economic and social isolation.In 2011, an announcement was made that Saint Helena would soon have its own airport, courtesy of the UK Department for International Development. The construction of the airport began in 2012, and it was initially expected to be completed by 2015. The cost of the project was approximately £285 million ($380 million), which was funded by the UK government.

The Airport's Operational Difficulties

Despite the high expectations that came with the airport's construction, the reality of its operation was quite different. The runway was designed to be long enough to handle short-haul flights, but the wind shear, turbulence, and high terrain limited its usability. Additionally, the number of scheduled flights was minimal, with just one monthly flight from Johannesburg in South Africa.Moreover, the Air Safety Support International, the organization responsible for certifying airports in British Overseas Territories, raised concerns about how the airport's rescue and firefighting services would be carried out in case of any incidents. This meant that in its first two years of operation, no commercial flights landed on the island, and it was required to continue using cargo ships as the primary mode of transportation.

Is it Worth the Investment?

The operational difficulties of Saint Helena airport have undoubtedly raised questions about whether it was worth the investment. The significant construction costs, combined with the limited usability and practical limitations, make it difficult to justify such an investment. Moreover, some critics accuse the UK government of investing in this project as a political move to maintain its relationship with Saint Helena, rather than for practical reasons.

Comparison Table - Saint Helena Airport vs Other Airports

To compare the capabilities of Saint Helena airport with other international airports worldwide, we can use a comparison table as follows:

Feature	Saint Helena Airport	JFK International Airport	Tokyo Haneda Airport
Annual Passengers (2019)	1,991	62.6 million	87 million
Number of Runways	1	4	4
Operating Airlines	1	80+	50+
Major Destinations	South Africa	Worldwide	Asia, North America, and Europe
Cost of Construction	£285 million ($380 million)	$13 billion (modernization of terminals and runways only)	$3.6 billion (entire airport construction)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the construction of an airport that could only land one commercial aircraft was an ambitious project for a small island like Saint Helena. However, the airport's operational difficulties, limited usability, and practical limitations have raised serious concerns about the investment's worthiness. It is essential to consider whether such a significant investment should be made primarily for political reasons or for the benefit of local citizens and businesses.

Which Country Built An Airport That Only Landed One Commercial Aircraft?

Introduction

Airport construction is a significant development in every country, allowing locals and foreigners to travel quickly and conveniently. However, not all airport projects turn out as successful as they were intended to be. Some structures that took a considerable amount of money and time to build end up being abandoned and forgotten. The story of Saint Helena's airport is one such example.

Background

Saint Helena Island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean and is a British Overseas Territory. The island's population is approximately 4,500 people, and it was necessary to open an airport for the convenience of the locals. Before this, the only mode of transportation to the island was by ship, which took at least five days to arrive.The British government invested an enormous amount of money in constructing the airport in Saint Helena. The construction project took five years to complete and was completed in 2016. It cost the British government approximately $373 million to build the airport.

Challenges

Although the construction of the airport was completed, there were unforeseen challenges that arose, making it difficult for the airport to receive commercial flights regularly. The first challenge was St. Helena's particular location, which is geographically isolated from other locations.Another issue was related to wind shear – the sudden change in wind direction or speed that can create hazardous conditions for approaching planes. The South Atlantic islands, including Saint Helena, have been known to experience significant wind shear issues, making it difficult for planes to land or take off from the airport.

The Only Commercial Flight

Despite the significant investment put into constructing the airport, it has only seen one commercial flight. In 2017, British Airways conducted a test flight and landed its 757 aircraft on the island. It was hailed as a historic moment for the island, and locals were hoping that it would be the start of many flights to come.However, the comeback turned out to be short-lived. After the successful test flight, British Airways announced that due to the wind shear issues mentioned earlier, regular flights could not be scheduled for the airport. As a result, Saint Helena's only airport remained closed and unused for years.

Recent Developments

In October 2019, a South African carrier, Airlink, announced that they would operate flights between Johannesburg and St Helena once a week. This sparked excitement among the locals, who are hoping for more tourists and business opportunities. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Airlink decided to suspend the service in March 2020. The airport has remained closed ever since.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Saint Helena's airport serves as a stark reminder that building an airport, no matter how grandiose it may seem, is not always a guarantee of success. This particular airport represented a considerable investment that has not yet provided adequate returns in commercial traffic. The case exemplifies the need for careful planning, particularly in isolated areas, such as Saint Helena. As it stands, Saint Helena's airport remains one of history's most infamous white elephants.

Which Country Built An Airport That Only Landed One Commercial Aircraft?

If you’re an aviation enthusiast, you must be aware of the world’s busiest airports like Beijing Capital International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Dubai International Airport. But what if we tell you that there’s an airport built with grandeur and extravagance that only landed one commercial aircraft? Yes, you read that right!

The airport in question is the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport located in Sri Lanka.

Construction started on this modern marvel back in 2009, during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who envisioned turning his hometown, Hambantota, into a thriving city with a world-class airport. The airport cost approximately $209 million, and its runway stretches over 3.5 kilometers long.

The grand opening ceremony took place in March 2013, and it was inaugurated by China’s then-president Xi Jinping. The Chinese had funded the project, and the construction was completed by their state-owned companies. The airport featured a 115,000 square meter terminal building capable of handling up to a million passengers annually.

However, this ambitious venture didn't quite take off as planned. The airport's remote location made it difficult for it to attract commercial airlines, and many criticized the investment as being financially unviable.

In 2018, the transportation minister of Sri Lanka admitted that the airport had been a failure, receiving only six flights per week. Additionally, it was reported that the airport incurred an annual loss of $17.2 million.

The airport soon became a white elephant, with large parts of the airport deserted, including check-in counters, immigration, and security, a stark difference from the grandiose plans the Sri Lankan government had envisioned for it.

There were attempts to mitigate the financial losses by making the airport a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility for aircraft, but this too failed to take off. The airport saw only one commercial flight since 2018, which was an Air Seychelles charter carrying Pope Francis during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015.

Experts have cited various reasons for the airport's failure, including its location, the lack of demand from airlines, and inadequate infrastructure like public transportation around the airport.

But despite all of this, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport remains a marvel of modern engineering and architecture. If you find yourself exploring nearby Hambantota, be sure to pay a visit to this landmark airport, regardless of its status as a stark reminder of the dangers of extravagance without proper planning and execution.

In conclusion, the construction of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is an ambitious venture that went awry, turning into the $209 million white elephant that stands in Sri Lanka today. While its failure may serve as a warning for future grand developments, it remains a noteworthy symbol of innovative engineering and fascinating architecture.

Thank you for reading our blog post on the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. We hope you enjoyed it! Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below.

Which Country Built An Airport That Only Landed One Commercial Aircraft?

What is the name of the airport?

The airport is known as St. Helena Airport, located on the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Why was the airport built?

The airport was built to boost tourism and economic development on the isolated island of St. Helena, which was previously accessible only by a five-day voyage by sea from South Africa.

What went wrong with the airport?

Despite being touted as a modern and state-of-the-art facility, the airport had several design flaws that made it difficult for commercial airlines to operate. The steep and unstable winds around the island made it challenging for pilots to safely land and take off, which caused airlines to cancel flights. Additionally, the runway was too short for larger planes to land, limiting the types of aircraft that could use the airport.

How many commercial aircrafts have landed at the airport?

As of 2021, only one commercial aircraft has successfully landed at the St. Helena Airport. The small SA Airlink plane required modifications to its landing gear to increase braking power in order to safely stop on the short runway.

What is the future of the airport?

The airport remains open, but without any scheduled commercial flights due to the challenges presented by its design. The island's government has been exploring options for improving the airport's safety and accessibility, including extending the runway or constructing a new airport elsewhere on the island.

Overall, the airport serves as an example of the challenges that can arise when building infrastructure in remote and isolated locations. Although it was intended to bring economic and social benefits to the people of St. Helena, its design flaws and limited accessibility have made it difficult to achieve those goals.