07
Jan
2009
Posted by: Mark Ashley
Look both ways before crossing the runway! Reader KB pointed me toward the Airport of Gibraltar, which has a road intersecting the airport. I’ve driven under taxiways and runways, but never across one. I believe the plane has the right of way…
Space in Gibraltar is at a premium, and tunneling into the rock was likely too expensive, so the road from mainland Spain has to cut across the runway. Here’s a satellite image from Google Maps:
View Larger Map
I’ve never been to Gibraltar, but the oddity of its airport makes me want to check it out…
Another image after the jump.
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December 31st, 1969 at 11:59 pm
Who has the right of way in Gibraltar : the Airplane or the Motorist or Pedestrians??? http://tinyurl.com/9lsjr8 | http://tinyurl.com/cnzs8m
January 7th, 2009 at 11:08 am
The airport in Placencia, Belize (PLJ) has a road crossing its “runway”, too. No barrier stopping traffic, just a sign asking you to look out for aircraft. It’s much smaller than Gibraltar, but they do have scheduled air service by Tropic Air and Maya Air several times a day. You can even safely walk around on the runway when there’s no aircraft operation. Fun place!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Here’s a photo from Placencia. I like the stop sign.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
It’s actually a really cool (and one of the most white knuckle landings I’ve ever had) airport. You are over water until the wheels touch down.
Some pics:
gib airport by josebobshorty, on Flickr
gib airport 2 by josebobshorty, on Flickr
gib airport 3 by josebobshorty, on Flickr
gib airport 4 by josebobshorty, on Flickr
January 7th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Note the petrol station at the crossing because it would be a bit of an issue if you ran out of petrol mid-way across!
January 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I had the pleasure of walking across the runway in college. I’m pretty sure we were compelled to break in to a sprint at one point…
January 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Not just Placencia, but San Pedro (Ambergis Caye, Belize) as well. It’s probably true for many small islands.
I’ve walked the crossing at Gibraltar as well.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:28 am
@Chris — you’re over water until you touch down at SFO as well.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Here’s an aerial view of Gibraltar’s runway that you might find interesting. My husband shot it when he was there last Feb:
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/blogs/perrinpost/2008/03/new-contest-sta.html
January 25th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
The GB Airways (British Airways) aircraft crossing the runway is my photo and I’d like to show my thanks for using it in this blog.
Gibraltar is an amazing place and there are actually few aviation enthusiasts on the Rock despite the proximity of the airport but we indeed do take to make attendance at any RAF event.