The world’s smallest commercial airport is on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, where planes land on a runway barely longer than an aircraft carrier.

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is perched on the island’s only flat area and has a runway only 1,300 feet (396 m) long, of which only 900 feet (274 m) are usable.

For comparison, the world’s longest airplane today, the Boeing 747-8I, is 250 feet (76 m).

It is surrounded by steep cliffs and ends steeply in the sea, making it one of the most difficult airports for pilots to land at.

Only specially trained pilots flying small propeller-driven planes, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, are allowed to land there. These planes generally carry between 18 and 20 passengers.

Pilots require specific training and waivers from the Netherlands Antilles Civil Aviation Authority to perform the approach.

Captain Roger Hodge, a very experienced pilot, described the pleasure of landing at the airport. “Flying to Saba gets a little complicated sometimes, but knowing what to do makes it seem easy and calm,” he told CNN.

He added: “There’s always an adrenaline rush because you’re being watched by passengers and people on the ground. »

Despite its size, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is a lifeline for the island. It brings tourists and transports locals in need of medical care.

Its runway has even become a symbol of pride for Saba residents, appearing on postage stamps and T-shirts with the slogan “I survived the Saba landing.”

The airport opened in 1959, after years of political debate over the island’s need for an airstrip.

After its maiden flight by Rémy de Haenen, the Dutch government allocated funds for proper construction, which was completed in 1963.

The airport was later renamed in honor of de Haenen, with one of the propellers from his first flight now on display.

Good news for those who are afraid of flying, there is also a ferry that serves the island.

For pilots, however, landing at Saba is an honor. “Once a guy is fully trained and we are satisfied, we radio operations that another top gun has been born,” Captain Hodge said.