There are five countries in the globe where there is simply no place for airports. Airports have become symbols of economic and social advancement. Wherever aviation gets off, prosperity and urban growth emerge a few decades later. It has advantages over other modes of transportation.
Aeroplanes and airports offer unparalleled speed, distance, and connectivity. This is why it is uncommon to find a country without an airport that instead relies on other modes of transportation, such as boats, trains, or cars, to meet its mobility needs. However, there are a few countries in the globe where there is simply no room for airports.
Here are five of them:
Monaco
Monaco, the world’s second smallest country after Vatican City, is bordered by France on three sides and lacks its own airport. After arriving at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France, visitors must take a taxi or board a boat to Monaco.
Vatican City
Vatican City is the world’s smallest country, with a population of only 800 people. Its modest size does not allow for an airport. With no rivers or big bodies of water for alternative transportation, it is one of the few countries that can be fully visited on foot. Fortunately, nearby airports including as Fiumicino and Ciampino are easily accessible, only a 30-minute train journey away
Andorra
While not as small as some other countries, Andorra faces the geographical problem of being completely encircled by the Pyrenees mountain range, which has peaks that are approximately 3000 meters high.
Andorra has chosen not to have its own airport due to the risks and challenges of operating at such high elevations. Instead, travellers can fly to nearby cities such as Lérida, Barcelona, or Girona, all within a 200-kilometer radius.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, a small country with a circumference of just about 75 kilometres, is known for its rolling hills and mild slopes.
Due to space limits, developing an airport in Liechtenstein would most likely necessitate trespassing on neighbouring countries’ territory, such as crossing the Rhine River to the east or approaching the Austrian highlands to the west. To prevent potential diplomatic issues, Liechtenstein chose not to have an airport. Instead, residents rely on vehicles or buses to get to Zürich Airport, which is around 120 km away.
San Marino
San Marino, situated near Vatican City, is one of the world’s oldest states. San Marino’s limited size, combined with its proximity to Italy and lack of sea access, precludes the establishment of an airport.
However, the country’s relatively flat topography is crisscrossed by an extensive road network, allowing citizens to easily travel throughout Italy. The nearest airport is in Rimini, Italy, and it acts as an important transit centre for both locals and tourists. Other nearby airports at Bologna, Florence, Venice, and Pisa offer easy access to the country.
