Travel enthusiasts often relish getting to the airport as much as the journey itself.
Big airports are a world of their own, brimming with countless activities waiting to be explored. A cheeky meal at Nando’s or a hearty pint at the local Wetherspoons can be just the send-off you need before jetting off.
Now, in stark contrast, one of the tiniest airports in the world has come to light. Nestled in Aguachica, Colombia, Hacaritama Airport is quaint to the point of being miniscule – and there’s scarcely room for a scanning machine!
The entire airport consists of two waiting areas; one for arrivals and another for a manual luggage check.
Upon landing, passengers receive a ticket to reclaim their baggage, a prospect thats bound to induce jitters in the more anxious traveller.
The waiting area? A shady spot beneath a mango tree.
And the fascinating quirks of this airport were recently showcased by TikTok phenomenon @travelercolombia, who sports an impressive 76,800 followers, during her visit.
She said: “Here I have my hand luggage and over here you can see the other passengers waiting to be called to enter the second waiting room. On the other side is the runway for the planes. And the passengers who arrived late queuing in the sun. This is the second lounge you enter when you are about to board.”
She added: “And before you enter, they do another manual check of your hand luggage. There is only one toilet for men and one for women. Look, it’s quite spacious and clean. It’s a good amount because the planes only carry 48 passengers. Here I found a spider in the bathroom.”
Discussing the boarding process, she highlighted the importance of arriving early. Despite the aircraft’s modest size, she found the seating surprisingly comfortable and rated her flying experience highly.
Her video sharing these insights has since gone viral, amassing 172,000 likes and garnering 2,900 comments.
One commenter said: “You’re right, it’s the coolest airport in the world. The simple things are the most beautiful.”
Another added: “And the best thing is that the mangoes are free.”
Curiosity about adverse weather conditions was answered by another user who shared their personal experience: “I’ve been there when it’s raining, and they use umbrellas to take you to the plane.”