Most airports are pretty standard – runways, terminals and gates. But some are unique.
- Kansai International Airport
The airport is 5km offshore in Osaka Bay. In 1987 work began on this manmade island and less than seven years later jumbo jets were landing there. Engineers had to account for a lot of variables, such as earthquakes, cyclones, an unstable seabed and sabotage attempts from protestors. Travellers reach the mainland by car, railroad or ferry.
- Gibraltar Airport
Gibraltar’s busiest road, Winston Churchill Avenue, cuts directly across the runway. Gates, similar to the ones used at railway crossings, stop traffic when an aircraft lands or takes off.
- Don Mueang International Airport
This airport in Thailand looks like any other airport, but between the two runways is an 18-hole golf course. Access to the greens is limited however, due to security threats.
- Congonhas Airport
This airport in Brazil is 8km from the city centre, making it easy for commuters, but stressful for pilots and air traffic control. The arrival and departure routes are awkward in order to minimise the noise levels.
