① The Four Graves at an American Airport
There is a unique spot at Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, USA. It’s a grave located on Runway 10. It might be the only place in the world exclusive to Hilton Head International Airport. You might wonder why there is a grave at the airport.
During World War II, Savannah Airport planned to expand. The planned expansion area included over 100 graves, including those of enslaved people. The airport requested the relocation of the graves from the families for the expansion. Through negotiations, all but four graves were moved to the Bonaventure Cemetery on the cliffs above the Wilmington River. However, four graves could not be moved.
These graves belonged to the Dotson family, who argued that they could not move them because their ancestors would not have wanted to abandon the land they worked on. For this reason, the graves remain on Runway 10.
The remaining two graves are also known to be where relatives of the Dotson family are buried. They are located on the edges of Runways 10 and 28. There are two more graves next to them. Hilton Head International Airport introduces the graves on its website as “the world’s only site included in an active runway of 9,350 feet that provides service to thousands of general and commercial flights annually.”
Family members can visit the graves with special permission and must be accompanied by airport personnel. Leaving flowers or other items is not allowed.
② The Most Dangerous Airport in the World
The fact that graves are in the airport can feel chilling to travelers. In addition to Hilton Head International Airport, we will introduce other unique airports worldwide. Princess Juliana Airport, located on the island of Saint Martin in the Antilles archipelago, is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
The place was used as a military runway in 1942 and was converted to civil aviation in 1943. Due to the island’s small size, the runway starts from the end of the beach near the airport. People on Maho Beach can see the planes taking off and landing up close. The planes fly low over people’s heads, creating a dizzying spectacle.
Because the planes fly so low, there have been frequent incidents of people being blown away by the plane’s wind. A female tourist even lost her life when the engine wind blew her away. Princess Juliana Airport temporarily suspended operations in 2017 due to significant damage from a hurricane.
The airport on the island of Barra in Scotland, UK, is also considered dangerous. It was named one of the most dangerous airports in the world in 2011. This airport does not have a runway made of cement or asphalt. Instead, it lands on a sandy beach.
Even the thought of it seems dangerous. Moreover, because the tidal flats disappear and reappear due to tidal differences, the landing and takeoff times are set separately. Because it’s a mudflat, there’s also the risk of the plane’s wheels getting stuck. The Barra Airport in Scotland might be the only airport with a sandy beach as a runway.
③ Airport Runway as a Regular Road
You can see a unique landscape at Gibraltar Airport in the Republic of Gibraltar. It’s also a place that pilots consider one of the most dangerous in Europe. It started as an air force base built during World War II. In 2006, Iberia Airlines established a route to Madrid, establishing it as an actual airport.
The only international route currently at Gibraltar Airport is Royal Air Maroc’s Casablanca route. Located in British territory at the southeast end of the European and Iberian Peninsula, the island is so tiny that only one runway exists. The runway and a regular road intersect at ground level. You can even cross the runway on foot. Vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic are suspended during plane takeoffs and landings.
It’s like waiting for a train to pass before a railway. The sight of planes crossing a road where cars usually run is a sight you can’t see anywhere else. Not only regular passenger planes but also military passenger planes use this airport. Gibraltar Airport opened in April after 15 years. A tunnel at the end of the runway can be accessed by vehicles and on foot. The existing road crossing the runway can no longer be used for vehicle traffic and is only accessible on foot.
By. Han Mia (miumia___12@mememedia.co.kr)
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