5 special airports to discover around the world

Look out for the spectacular indoor waterfall at Changi Airport. — Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever stepped into an airport and been simply awed by its architecture? Well, that surreal feeling is no coincidence.

The designs of airports usually take into account many factors. A good location for airport construction would need vast space, endless flat ground, good visibility and favourable wind conditions.

Achieving the aforementioned conditions isn’t an easy feat. But when the stars align, we get some of the most amazing and unique airports.

Here are some unique airports around the world to put on your arrival or transit list.

Kansai International Airport, Japan

This airport made it to the list due to its unique location on a man-made island. Located off the coast of Honshu, the island took three years to build and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. However, experts have cautioned that rising sea levels is a potential hazard for the Osaka airport. As a matter of fact, the island is already sinking at an alarming rate and the Japanese authorities are working to reinforce it.

The Kansai International Airport is situated on a man-made island.

Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand

If being one of the oldest commercial airports doesn’t get your attention, try this: Runways separated by a golf course. That’s right, there’s an 18-hole golf course located within the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. You will need to be really bold to tee off here, though. The golf course isn’t separated by any barriers from either runway. Golfers need to keep an eye out for a red light to know when planes will be coming in for a landing.

Gibraltar International Airport, Gibraltar

This airport has been regarded as one of the “world’s most extreme airports”, and for a very good reason. There’s an actual working road that crosses the runway. Winston Churchill Avenue, which leads toward the land border with Spain, cuts directly across the runway. Crossing gates, much like those found at railroads, hold cars back every time a plane lands or departs.

Barra Airport, Scotland

Does disappearing runways sound like an engineering marvel? Well, it’s actually the work of nature at Barra Airport. The airport uses a beach as an official runway and when the tide is high, the runway goes poof! This means that flights need to schedule their arrivals and departures based on the sea levels.

Changi Airport, Singapore

This is probably one of the most notable airports around the world. Many travellers have been awed by Changi Airport and its recent addition, the Jewel Changi complex. Jewel is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Visitors can go through canopy mazes and foggy clouds while clambering through the treetops. At times, you might even forget you are inside an airport with the plethora of activities to do and sights to see.