Sumburgh Airport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sumburgh Airport
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Sumburgh Airport (2014)
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) | ||||||||||||||
| Serves | Shetland | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Sumburgh, Shetland, Scotland | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 21 ft / 21 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 59°52′53″N 01°17′38″W / 59.88139°N 1.29389°W | ||||||||||||||
| Website | Sumburgh Airport | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
 EGPB
Location in Shetland
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| Runway | |||||||||||||||
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| [[Helipad|]] | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2018) | |||||||||||||||
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Sumburgh Airport is the main airport that connects the Shetland Islands with mainland Scotland. It is located on the very southern tip of Shetland, about 31 kilometers (20 miles) south of Lerwick. This airport is super important for people traveling to and from the islands.
Contents
What Makes Sumburgh Airport Special?
Sumburgh Airport has some really interesting features that make it stand out.
A Unique Helicopter Runway
Unlike most airports that just have a flat area for helicopters to land (called a helipad), Sumburgh Airport has a special 550-meter long helicopter runway. This longer runway helps helicopters take off and land more easily, especially when carrying heavy loads or in windy conditions.
Road Crossing the Runway
One of the most unusual things about Sumburgh Airport is that a public road, the A970 road, actually crosses one of its runways! When an airplane is about to take off or land, special barriers come down, just like at a level crossing for a train. This stops cars from driving across the runway while an aircraft is moving.
Sumburgh Airport's History
Sumburgh Airport has a long and important history, especially during wartime.
A Former Air Force Base
Sumburgh was once a RAF airfield. This means it was used by the military to launch and land planes.
Role in World War II
During World War II, Sumburgh Airport was very active. It played a key role in protecting the seas around Scotland. A group called 404 Squadron used special planes called Beaufighter Mark VI and X from this airport. They flew missions to attack enemy ships belonging to the Axis countries off the coast of Norway and in the North Sea.
Airport Operations
The airport is managed by a company called Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). They make sure everything runs smoothly, from flights taking off and landing to passenger services.
Passenger and Aircraft Numbers
In 2018, Sumburgh Airport handled over 245,000 passengers. This shows how many people use the airport to travel. There were also more than 16,000 aircraft movements, which means planes taking off or landing.
See also
In Spanish: Aeropuerto de Sumburgh para niños
