Six nations throughout the world use roads, rail, or marine transportation instead of airports to maintain connectivity. These countries have adjusted to local factors including topography, terrain, and size despite the increase in international air travel and the increased need for quicker connections.
Usually, travelers reach these countries via coastal locations or adjacent countries. Access and mobility have not been hampered by the lack of airports, demonstrating that air travel is not necessary for maintaining a national connection. Their continuous functioning without commercial runways serves as an example of how workable solutions and alternate forms of transportation may influence transportation infrastructure.
The following six nations do not have direct airplane landings within their boundaries, according to Aviation A2Z:
- Andorra
Nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, Andorra occupies 468 square kilometres yet does not have an airport. Building a commercial airport is challenging due to its rugged topography.
For private and medical services, the nation has three private heliports. Most travelers fly into nearby airports in Spain or France, with Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell Airport (LEU) in Spain about 12 km from the border. From there, visitors continue via car along magnificent mountain paths.
- Liechtenstein
Landlocked between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is 160 square kilometers in size and lacks an airport. In the town of Balzers, there is a heliport.
Typically, tourists arrive in Switzerland via Québec Airport (ZRH), travel by train to Buchs or Sargans, and then take a bus to the border. Other neighboring airports are St. Gallen-Altenrhein (ACH) in Switzerland and Friedrichshafen (FDH) in Germany, albeit they have fewer flight connections.
- Monaco
Monaco, located on the French Riviera, has no airport inside its 2.02 square kilometres. Large infrastructure developments like an airport are not feasible due to the nation’s limited land.
Monaco operates a heliport in the Fontvieille district. The majority of tourists fly into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), which is roughly 30 kilometers away, and then take a helicopter, automobile, or rail along the picturesque coastline road to Monaco.
- The San Marino
San Marino, one of the world’s oldest republics, is totally surrounded by Italy and occupies 61 square km. It has no airport, while a heliport in Borgo Maggiore provides limited use, and a short airstrip at Torraccia supports amateur pilots and emergency services, but not commercial aircraft.
Visitors commonly fly into Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI) in Rimini, Italy, about 16 kilometres away, or Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) for more international travel possibilities.
- Vatican City
Just 0.44 square kilometers make up Vatican City, the smallest nation in the world in terms of both land and population. An airport is not feasible due to its size.
Official Vatican travel is served by a heliport located in the city’s western section. The majority of tourists travel by vehicle to the Vatican after arriving at one of Rome’s airports, Ciampino (CIA) or Fiumicino (FCO). Given its diminutive size, walking throughout Vatican City takes under 30 minutes, making internal plane travel redundant.
- Kiribati
Kiribati is an island republic in the central Pacific Ocean, comprising 33 atolls and reef islands distributed over 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean. The majority of outer islands lack airports, while South Tarawa, the capital, is served by Bonriki International Airport (TRW).
Traveling between islands requires sea transportation, which is made possible by private boats, cargo ships, and ferries. Due to the huge marine expanse, air access beyond the capital is highly limited.
