The most beautiful airport in the world: Baku, Azerbaijan. The most beautiful airport in the post-Soviet space The most beautiful airport in

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Hurrying to catch a flight or a taxi, we pay little attention to the airport vaults surrounding us. We are in a hurry to grab our seat on the plane or head to the city center to enjoy the sights or drink a cup of coffee. We would like, nevertheless, to draw your attention to the grandiose architecture that was created by the best designers and architects of the world. When you go through passport control or check in your luggage, look around and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Today on the agenda are 7 of the most beautiful airports in the world.

Barajas Airport, Madrid (Terminal 4), Spain

Initially, the fourth terminal was conceived to relieve congestion from the other three terminals. No frills in architecture were even expected. But the project was taken up by two people for whom creativity came first. This is Richard Rogers, who built the Pompidou Center in Paris and the Lloyd's building in London, as well as Antonio Lamela, who contributed his hand and talent to the building of the Colon Tower in Madrid.

The two of them decided that building an ordinary terminal was not at all interesting, so in order to make the fourth terminal unusual, they painted it in all the colors of the rainbow. In addition, they chose lightweight glass, through which very soft and warm light penetrates the building.

The undulating roof, covered with bamboo, is supported by colorful pylons. During construction, architects consulted with psychologists on how to make sure that while in a room, a person’s tension and discomfort would disappear.

As a result, visual effects have become the element that calms nervous passengers and puts them in a positive mood. More than 35 million passengers pass through Terminal 4 every year, and almost everyone says they feel at home under the walls of Barajas.

Beijing International Airport (Terminal 3), China

Knowing the Chinese love for the color red and dragons, one could safely assume that the new third terminal International airport will represent a kind of synthesis of these two key elements of Chinese culture. The architects created their "Gateway to China" in the form of a large hidden dragon, which seems to be about to awaken. An incredible structure of glass and metal was created on the roof, which is located at a special angle, due to which the light entering the room is refracted and divided into red and yellow spectra.

This was done not only for beauty, but each color helps passengers navigate the terminal without looking at the monitors. The terminal is oriented north-south to help newly arrived passengers find their way, and the skylight system is oriented southeast to increase the presence of daylight.

In China, passport control is quite serious, which stretches over several stages, so few people pay attention to what is over their heads. If you are lucky enough to be in Beijing, take 15 minutes to explore the third terminal. It's worth it.

Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay

Built by the famous Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, the airport's design echoes that of New York JFK airport. The departure hall is designed as a single open space, reminiscent in spirit of old European train stations, with a terrace on the upper level from which beautiful view to the runway.

The wide curved roof of the terminal building, stretching 400 meters along the building, is made of glass, allows an abundance of sunlight into the premises and emphasizes the impressive scale of the structure, which has become national symbol Uruguay.

The smooth curve and lower profile of the airport's monolithic roof are said to be inspired by the dunes along coastline countries.

Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea

Incheon is annually included in the rankings of the best airports in the world, because it is not only convenient, it is also incredibly beautiful. The airport infrastructure is developed in such a way that one can only envy: golf courses, casinos, massage rooms, winter gardens, bedrooms and much more.

The entire roof is made in the shape of the arches of traditional Korean temples, all terminals are decorated with Korean elements that tell the story of the existence of this country. The airport is especially proud of its various gardens - there are 9 of them. Waterfalls, flowers and original architecture give passengers the opportunity to find themselves for some time in a place where problems and worries are forgotten.

More than 10 famous designers worked on the overall design of the airport, and despite their different views, they managed to create an incredible architectural project that not only fascinates, but also inspires various achievements.

Kansai Airport, Osaka, Japan

Opened in 1994 Kansai International Airport became one of the largest buildings in the world. Designed to serve the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, it takes its name from the ancient word "kansai" ("west of the border").

The complex is located on artificial island 5 km long and 3 km wide in Osaka Bay. The main building of the complex is its only four-story terminal, designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. Everything was designed so that the building could withstand typhoons and earthquakes, which is why it is shaped like an airplane fuselage.

Until now, this is the only airport located at sea. Moreover, he, along with the Great Chinese wall can be seen from space.

John F. Kennedy Airport (TWA Terminal), New York, USA

TWA terminal- the former TWA terminal, whose full name is “Trans World Airlines”, was opened in 1962. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, it looked like an abstract symbol of flight and was nicknamed the “winged gull.”

Over time, the terminal required reconstruction, which was successfully completed in 2008. Trans World Flight Center is real expressionism in architecture, or rather its post-war revival.

The entire building consists entirely of curves, streamlined shapes and smooth transitions from one to another. This gives the rather massive concrete structure a feeling of weightlessness and flight. The internal volume is even more unusual than the external shape of the building. There are no clear edges or walls here, but everything seems to flow from one to another, symbolizing constant movement.

The terminal is now closed. You can get inside only by attending some event under the auspices of the city hall. You can view it from all sides only from the roof of the parking lot where the AirTrain station is located or from a train carriage.

Denver International Airport, USA

Denver International Airport was opened in 1995, despite the fact that the large Stapleton Airport was already operating here. 4 billion dollars were spent on its creation. This is a truly convenient and comfortable airport, somewhat reminiscent of a village with white tents. A specially developed Teflon roof coating helps retain solar heat in winter. In addition, this building topped the list of the most sustainable buildings in the world.

But the airport attracts not only with its smooth and curved lines. Many believe that an underground shelter has been built under the airport, which is connected to American bases located 120 miles from the airport.

Rumor has it that 2 billion was spent on the granite floor in the building. The airport's creators say the floor pattern echoes the roof design and subtly supports the flow of passengers as they walk smoothly across the granite floor.

Pay attention to the paintings, mysterious signs and inscriptions in known and unknown languages, on the walls, floor, as well as strange artifacts located inside and outside the building.

And if we really go deeper into conspiracy theories, look at the location of the runways on the maps. Don't they remind you of anything?

Are you afraid to fly? Psychologists consider the fear of flying to be one of the most difficult psychological problems: some shudder even at the thought of getting on a plane and leaving the ground. Sometimes this fear becomes a serious obstacle for such people to move freely around the world and see many wonderful distant countries. According to some studies, fear of flying is worse when it comes to safety issues, including at the airport.

In this issue we will tell you about the 25 most terrible airports in the world, where horror begins long before you board the plane.

1. Wellington International Airport, New Zealand.

Landing at this airport can be very dangerous, because there is only one - and even a short - runway, which also ends... at sea. Despite this, it is very picturesque here, so this airport can be called not only one of the most dangerous, but also one of the most beautiful.

2. Agatti Airport, Lakshadweep, India.

This airport is surrounded on all sides Indian Ocean, which naturally raises the question: what happens if something goes wrong during landing or the pilot simply doesn’t have enough room to brake? The 1,219 m long airfield is so small that it looks like a fragment of a larger runway, part of which seems to have gone under the sea. Due to the dangers that short runways pose, it has been proposed more than once to extend it, but for now flights continue as normal, because... it is the only airport in Lakshadweep, an Indian territory consisting of 36 luxurious exotic islands.

3. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, USA.

Of course, this is not such a “dangerous” airport (compared to others in this list), but there is something unusual about it. If you ever take a taxi along Runway 10 at this airport, you might see some spooky things. The fact is that on strip 10 there are a couple of... graves engraved. They belong to the former owners of the land where the airport now sits - their last wish was to be buried here.

4. Narsarsuaq Airport, Greenland.

Landing in this beautiful thanks surrounding nature airport and one of the most remote on the planet can be either an amazing or the most terrifying experience - either way, unforgettable. But for pilots this is, without a doubt, a real nightmare, because... in order to land here, you need to fly along the fjord in constant fear of getting into turbulence, which happens even on seemingly calm days.

5. Kansai International Airport, Japan.

The artificial island of Kansai measures 4 km long and 2.5 km wide - they say it is even visible from space. From an engineering point of view, the local airport is one of the most impressive in the world, but unfortunately, frequent earthquakes, powerful cyclones and an unstable seabed make this engineering masterpiece one of the most dangerous airports in the world.

6. Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand.

This is a “deceptive” airport, in which at first glance there is nothing unusual. However, if you look closely, you will notice a rather strange thing: right in the center of the two runways, someone managed to squeeze in... an 18-hole golf course. It does this airport not only one of the most dangerous, but also one of the strangest.

7. Paro Airport, Bhutan.

The fact that only 8 pilots in the entire world are qualified enough to land here should tell you a lot. But if this is not enough, you will probably also be interested in the fact that Paro Airport is located 2.4 km above sea level and is surrounded by sharp peaks of five thousand meters, and the runway is only 1980 m long. And finally, there are rumors that passengers who dare to land at this tiny airport in the Himalayas are usually loaded with anti-anxiety pills to calm their nerves.

8. Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong.

Many pilots considered this place to be the worst airport, which is why it was closed in 1998. Strong crosswinds and the surrounding mountains only added to the difficulty of landing, and at one time it was the most unpopular place for local residents. It’s not for nothing that this airport is called “the father of all the worst airports.”

9. Barra International Airport, Scotland.

This is truly a unique airport on the planet, because instead of a runway it uses... a beach. Yes, you read it correctly: there are three runways on the beach in the shape of a triangle, and they are marked with wooden poles at the ends.

10. Congonhas Airport, Brazil.

The most dangerous and at the same time strange thing about this airport is the fact that it is located only 8 km from the city center. If you travel frequently, you should know that the most populous and big cities in the world they usually build their airports on the outskirts or even a few kilometers from the city limits for security reasons, but apparently the residents of Sao Paulo have never heard of this. As a result, every plane landing at this airport becomes a real test in terms of safety.

11. Gisborne Airport, New Zealand.

This may sound like an exaggeration, but this is probably one of the craziest airports in the world. Why? Yes, because it runs right across the main runway. Railway. Yes, yes - a real railway! Dispatchers must coordinate takeoffs and landings with train arrivals. And even though the road recently closed after hurricane damage, the airport is still operating, although it has only served cargo flights since 2001.

12. Tenzing and Hilary Airport, Nepal.

In 2010, the History Channel named this airport the most dangerous in the world. It is located at an altitude of 2900 meters, and its runway is framed high mountain on one side and the deepest abyss on the other. Ideal conditions for landing, right?

13. Los Angeles International Airport, USA.

Los Angeles airport has been repeatedly called the most dangerous in the United States. It hosts an "intensive training program" for pilots, controllers and operators Vehicle on situational hazards and other aspects of runway safety.

14. Courchevel Airport, France.

It is one of the most dangerous airports in the world, even though it serves the rich who fly to ski in French Alps. To get to the resort of the same name, you must first experience a breathtaking landing at the airport. The runway is only 518 m long, but the best “surprise” is a hill somewhere in the middle of the runway.

15. Old Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Ecuador.

It was a nightmare for even the most experienced pilots. For starters, the airport was located at a high altitude, in the heart of Ecuador's densely populated capital, which greatly increased the risk factor. Moreover, Mountain landscape, active volcanoes and the valley, which was constantly covered in fog, only made landings and takeoffs at this airport more difficult. But that's not all: the runway was uneven and had many bumps. Fortunately, the airport was finally closed last year and a new one was built.

16. Toncotin International Airport, Honduras.

It came in second on the History Channel's list of the world's most dangerous airports, and for good reason. Its runway is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, and the “entry” and “exit” for aircraft are located in the same place, which, of course, increases the risk of a tragedy. Surprisingly, despite this, even Boeing 757s land in and take off from this airport every day.

17. Gibraltar Airport.

At first glance it may seem that the airport is quite ordinary, but take a closer look and you will understand that this is not so. Undoubtedly, the most exceptional fact is that the main runway passes through the main street of the city. Yes Yes. That is, every time a plane is supposed to land, cars have to stop and let the train pass... that is, we wanted to say plane, of course.

18. Madeira Airport, Portugal.

This one is small international Airport on beautiful island Madeira has a very short runway. And this despite the fact that in 2003 its length was doubled. In addition, the ocean surrounds it on one side and the mountains on the other. The airport is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

To land at one of the Caribbean's busiest airports, pilots fly over the beach, over a fence, over the road and then finally land.

20. Ice airport, Antarctica.

It is one of three main runways used to transport supplies and researchers to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. It is designed to accommodate even Boeing 757 and heavy cargo planes. On this moment the main dangers of the airport are weather, not the location of the airport itself.

21. King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia.

This largest airport in the world in terms of land area - it stretches over 300 square meters. miles of desert. The local airport is so huge that - believe it or not - the pilots themselves sometimes find it difficult to say where it begins and where it ends, because... from a great distance it blends into the surrounding desert.

22. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, USA.

There is nothing technically wrong with the location or layout of this airport, but it has the most irresponsible staff in the world. A night air traffic controller was once accused of watching a movie instead of directing planes. And on other occasions, administrators complained that night shift dispatchers slept during breaks or played electronic games when the flight schedule was not too tight.

23. Gastaf III Airport, St. Barthelemy.

This airport has an incredibly short runway that typically serves small aircraft with a capacity of no more than 20 passengers. There is a strip at the base of the slope that ends at the beach. In addition, planes pose a danger already on approach due to the hilly terrain, and takeoff generally takes place almost over the heads of vacationers on the beach.

24. Bamda Airport, Tibet.

Tibet is in the most high mountains world - the Himalayas, so it is not surprising that Bamda Airport is one of the highest located in the world, it is at an altitude of more than 4000 meters. The most interesting thing is that the length of the runway is almost 5 km, i.e. it is the longest runway in the world. Low oxygen levels at these altitudes can cause discomfort for newcomers to the area and also reduce the performance of aircraft engines, making landing here a real challenge.

25. Airport on Saba Island.

The path to this beauty Caribbean island can become a real nightmare for you, because... the airport has a single runway, 396 m long. Surrounded by high cliffs, this short runway (which would probably be great place for a skateboarding competition) almost ends in the ocean. It is clear that large aircraft They simply won’t be able to land here, but it’s not easy even for cornmen.

And if not for Singapore, one could call the Baku airport named after Heydar Aliyev the most beautiful in the world.
I haven’t seen many airports yet, but among the countries of the former USSR this airport is the most beautiful I’ve ever been to.

Traveling around Azerbaijan, one conclusion can be drawn - the state has made transport problems a priority. In just a few years, modern air terminal complexes appeared in the country, runways were updated and the air fleet was modernized.

The country's special pride is its new air harbors. Two years ago, a new terminal at Heydar Aliyev International Airport was built, four new airports in the regions were previously put into operation, and two more were modernized. All segments are developing equally effectively in Azerbaijan aviation transport: passenger and freight transportation, business aviation and helicopter operations.

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The airport has two terminals - old and new. Previously, the air harbor was called “Bina International Airport” (after the name of the suburb of Baku), but was renamed in 2004 in honor of the third president of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev.

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The new air terminal complex of Heydar Aliyev International Airport was put into operation on April 23, 2014.
From the outside, the airport, like many buildings in Baku, does not have straight lines, and the structure itself is streamlined and smooth.

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Baku Airport named after Heydar Aliyev is very surprising. Even those who have been to different airports in the world, recognized as the best and most beautiful.

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The total area of the new airport complex, capable of serving 6 million passengers per year, is 65 thousand square meters.

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The airport is located 25 kilometers from the city and you will need 20-30 minutes to get to the capital.

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The inside of the airport is even more beautiful than the outside. On the second floor after passport control you will come across huge wooden “cocoons”, inside of which there are coffee shops and shops, and even the most beautiful chairs - cages, like for large parrots.

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For everyone, without exception, the airport evokes the most positive emotions.

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As in Russian airports, at the entrance there are frame scanners and x-rays for luggage.
The main emphasis was placed on a comfortable stay for passengers. As a result, numerous cozy cafes and restaurants, Duty free shops, mother and child rooms, VIP & CIP halls appeared. The number of passengers served per hour has almost doubled.

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The halls are equipped with more than 2 thousand comfortable chairs, 150 monitors providing timely information to passengers, 40 check-in counters, 19 boarding gates, 13 of which are telescopic bridges, 30 escalators, 21 wide and transparent elevators, with Braille on the keyboard, provided as for ordinary passengers , and passengers from disabilities.

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For passengers with disabilities, there are also specially designated areas, marked with tactile signs, next to the baggage claim carousels. In addition to all this, there are employees on all floors of the terminal, to whom passengers arriving at the airport for the first time can turn for help.

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Last year, the airport was awarded 4 stars by SkyTrax, an influential British consulting company specializing in studying the quality of services provided. various airlines and airports. Heydar Aliyev Airport is the second airport among post-Soviet states to receive 4 stars.

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The building is equipped with the latest interactive control systems, such as Building Management and Lighting - allowing you to control air conditioning, ventilation and lighting, automated system sound notification, Gate Operating System - facilitating the management of exits and Visual Docking Guidance System - guaranteeing the safe parking of aircraft in parking lots controlled from the terminal control center. And most importantly, the airport is equipped with tomographs of the 4th security level, since its first and most important goal is the safety and regularity of flights.

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The equipment installed in the control center makes it possible to control aircraft flights over an area of 165 thousand square kilometers. The new runway is equipped with lighting systems, radio navigation equipment and radars that meet the highest ICAO category.

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In addition to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, other air harbors of the country have also undergone deep modernization: Ganja, Nakhichevan, Gabala, Lenkorn, Zagatala.

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The country's national carrier AZAL, Azerbaijan Airlines, accounts for almost 80% of passenger traffic in Azerbaijan. The company has rich history, which dates back to 1923, when the first mail and passenger flights between Baku and Tbilisi began to operate on German Junkers aircraft.
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Now AZAL is the largest carrier in the CIS with a total fleet approaching 30 modern aircraft various types. Last year, the airline was the first in the post-Soviet space to operate modern Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which, together with the Airbus A340-500, are AZAL’s flagships, operating the longest flights in the route network, including New York, Beijing and London.

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On European routes, the airline operates comfortable aircraft manufactured by Airbus - A320 and A319. On short routes, the Brazilian Embraer E190 and Embraer E175 fit well. Now route network The company includes more than 40 destinations, both within Azerbaijan and in Europe, Asia and the USA.

And the President of Azerbaijan himself prefers the A340.

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Let's return to the terminal.
Two cups of coffee and a baklava cake cost 10.8 manats, which in our money is about 400 rubles (don’t believe the bottom photo).
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Nobody prohibited photography in the departure hall.

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Photography was prohibited at Duty Free - that's where I usually take pictures of prices.

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By the way, the prices are quite low. But it is possible that not all products are of adequate quality - the Jemison bottle I bought leaked, the cork turned out to be of poor quality, which is unacceptable for stores Duty Free.

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The wine department is also enclosed in a “cocoon”, very beautiful.

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The glass in the terminal is almost everywhere slanted, making it not very convenient to photograph airplanes. But, if you try, you can find a place with straight windows and contemplate from there.

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Artificial trees.

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Let's go up to the Sky Team business lounge, it is located on the second floor in the hall international departures.

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The hall is small, but quite cozy.

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You can come for drinks yourself, or you can wait for the bartender.

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Overlooking the terminal.

The vast majority of airport interiors are extremely practical, and sometimes even boring. This is due to the fact that for a very long time only one simple idea reigned in the minds of architects. It seemed that passengers only needed high-quality infrastructure and clear navigation within the facility. It is for this reason that when creating airport terminal complexes, designers cared only about the comfort of the halls and the visibility of the signs.

However, over time, the needs of tourists have also changed. Today, airports expect not only convenience, but also beautiful design. After all, this is the face of the country! The terminal building should intrigue, amaze and create a special mood while passengers wait for their flight. This idea has resulted in a modern trend in the construction of an air harbor, which is most clearly observed in Asian countries.

For example, China and South Korea consider airports to be one of the symbols of the nation. Therefore, the costs associated with creating a unique architectural style are not considered a waste. Moreover, by building phenomenal structures, they demonstrate not only their wealth, but also their technological mastery. Following Asia, new terminals are appearing all over the globe, which are becoming more and more impressive each time.

Although this is not surprising, because their goal is to revive the once-lost magical feeling of traveling by plane. To be fair, it is worth noting that the original ideas for building air terminals also did not go by the wayside.

The architecture of modern airports combines unique design, beauty and increased comfort. Thus, the world's most beautiful airports not only delight in their appearance. Their interior helps travelers get to their desired exit in a timely manner.

Beijing International Airport, Terminal 3, China. The so-called "Gateway to China" is two kilometers long and resembles a huge hidden dragon at the very edge of the airfield. This impression is created thanks to the architects' idea. They created an extremely complex structure on the roof. Namely, a mesh of glass and metal parts that filters sunlight at a special angle. As a result, it is divided into yellow and red spectra, which not only gives color to the ceiling, but also helps guide travelers in the building. The architects also took a very practical approach to the use of cardinal directions. The terminal itself is oriented from north to south, which helps newly arrived passengers adapt faster. The window system is directed to the southeast, which allows to extend the presence of daylight in the rooms. Terminal 3 has a developed infrastructure. If you want to eat, there is a special area called "World Kitchen". 72 restaurants offer food for a wide range of tastes: from fast food to traditional food, from Chinese to Western, from baked goods to ice cream, and so on. Moreover, there is a shopping, duty-free and business zone where there are banks, business and Internet centers, and much more.

Madrid-Barajas Airport, Terminal 4, Spain. Terminal 4 opened in Madrid in 2006. Now 35 million passengers annually pass under the light, undulating roof covered with bamboo and supported by colorful pylons. The single terminal space consists of several levels. It is illuminated primarily by daylight, which enters through special openings in the roof. Of course, the main achievement of the airport is the atmosphere created with the help of visual effects. Glass panels and gentle light filling the space create a feeling of calming harmony and relieve tension. Thanks to the simplicity of the linear design, it is quite difficult to get lost even in such a huge space. At the same time, large rooms do not put pressure on passengers: travelers seem to be in a colorful rainbow. With this new terminal, Madrid is trying to establish itself as Europe's premier air hub.

John F. Kennedy Airport, TWA Terminal, New York, USA. TWA Terminal (full name - "International Airlines Center"), today is called "Terminal No. 5". It was opened in 1962. The building's design was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinero. The structure is an abstract symbol of flight, which is why it received the nickname “winged gull”. This building was considered one of the most original airports in the world. Due to the airline crisis, the TWA terminal was closed for reconstruction. In 2008 renovation work came to an end, and the building became the property of JetBlue Airways. For the first time in the history of airports, baggage conveyors, electronic displays, predecessors of modern baggage scales, and even cable television appeared here. In this air harbor there is a wonderful opportunity to feel that very “pleasant excitement of traveling by plane.”

Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay. New terminal was opened in 2009. Its architecture is absolutely simple. The huge, luxurious arc fits perfectly into the local landscape. And underneath are spacious arrival and departure halls, gently flooded with sunlight. The 400 meter wide dome is made of glass, allowing maximum use of natural light. It reveals a fascinating view of the runways. The smooth curve and lower profile of the building's monolithic roof are believed to be designed based on the dune views along the Uruguay coastline. Cozy terraces and comfortable airport lounges are designed to provide a warm welcome not only to the travelers themselves, but also to their loved ones.

Sondica Airport, Bilbao, Spain. Sondika Airport opened in the Spanish province in 2000. He was immediately nicknamed la paloma - “the little dove”. And this is no accident, because with its outline it really resembles a bird. The terminal interior is decorated with a variety of architectural elements. Rigid intersecting “ribs” on the walls, floor and ceiling, handrails of the stairs intertwined with the sun’s rays create a special rhythm of modern baroque and remind passengers of the precious heritage of the famous architect Gaudi.

Denver International Airport, USA. The air harbor opened in February 1995. Its construction cost 4.8 billion dollars. This building completely refutes all traditional ideas about what a real airport should look like. Travelers are delighted not only by the convenient location of the premises, but also by the unusual roof, which is not surprising. After all, the design of the building resembles rocky snowy Mountain peaks, which are a local landmark. The airport terminal looks most impressive against the background Rocky Mountains, if you move towards it from the east. The roof covering is a unique development that allows you to retain solar heat in winter. Moreover, this particular building took first place in the list of the most sustainable structures on the planet. The unusual atmosphere of the air pier is created by the whimsical music that accompanies the arrival of the airport's moving walkway. It was created by Denver musician Jim Green (his idea is also the "laughing escalators" at the local Convention Center).

Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea. Incheon Airport opened in 2001. Since that time, it has regularly been included in ratings of the best airports in the world. Thus, every year since 2005, it has been recognized as the best in the world in terms of International Council airports and receives the highest rating of "Five Stars" according to the British research company Skytrax. The building of such a valuable transport hub has an exclusive infrastructure of amenities, including golf courses, casinos, massage rooms, bedrooms and winter gardens. However, this air harbor is not just convenient for travelers. It fascinates them with its beauty against the backdrop of the bright blue sea and immediately introduces visitors to the local culture. The roof arch is similar to a traditional Korean temple. The corridors of the arrivals area are decorated with various elements that recall the five thousand years of history of this land. In addition, this building is one of the few on earth that, even 10 years after construction, still looks futuristic.

Marrakesh Menara Airport, Morocco. Marrakech Menara is much more than just an airport. It can safely be called a “time machine”. Arriving in a high-tech building built in the 21st century, you nevertheless find yourself in a city where the spirit of antiquity reigns. The traditions of distant ancestors, as well as art, are honored here ancient East. The airport itself may well be considered a real wonder of the world. Indeed, in its design, the architects managed to incredibly harmoniously weave into a single whole the fast pace of life and modern technology with ancient local traditions in art. And here is the result - an openwork, snow-white, airy miracle, more reminiscent luxurious palace. When constructing the airport building, local architects were guided by two main ideas - light and environmental friendliness. The entire structure consists of huge rhombuses, and their hollow planes are filled with graceful arabesques in oriental style. The light entering through such original windows creates wonderful patterns in the rooms. And for safety environment There are 72 photovoltaic pyramids on the roof of the building that generate the required amount of energy. Marrakech Menara Airport is considered small by world standards. However, its extraordinary surroundings give it the right to call it one of the most beautiful airports on the planet.

Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong. The airport opened for commercial use in 1998. And, despite the relatively short story, Hong Kong International Airport has repeatedly won international awards, such as best airport peace. Although it is likely that this project may seem very modest when compared with other amazing air terminals. However, its beauty is still special. It is directly related to functionality and exemplary infrastructure. After all, the passenger can easily navigate it almost with his eyes closed (which is especially valuable for travelers after such a tiring 17-hour flight from New York). The undulating roof of the building has a subconscious effect on travelers. It, like a pointer arrow, forces tourists to move in the right direction. The glory of one of the largest transport hubs support a comfortable express train going directly to the city center and a 12-lane highway leading to the airport. By the way, the train is very difficult to miss, since it departs directly from the main terminal building.

Malvinas Argentinas Airport, Ushuaia, Argentina. The airport is located 4 kilometers south of the center of Ushuaia, a city on the island Tierra del Fuego. This is perhaps the southernmost international airport on the planet. It seems to be the gateway to Patagonia and the Arctic. Sky Jetty is located right next to the Beagle Channel (the latter is named after the ship on which Charles Darwin sailed around South America). It would seem that for such a remote air harbor it would be quite normal to see ugly bunker terminals. However, all the buildings are not just elegant. They are in absolute harmony with the majestic Andes.

Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan. The air harbor, designed by Renzo Piano, was located on an artificial island off the coast of Osaka. Here, right in the middle of the bay, a corner of the earth appeared 4 thousand meters long and a thousand meters wide. According to the plan, this complex structure was supposed to withstand severe typhoons, high tsunamis and strong earthquakes. On January 17, 1995, Japan was struck by a terrible earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. More than 6 thousand people died, but the airport still remained undamaged. Later, three years later, a typhoon swept over it. The wind speed reached 200 kilometers per hour. And the building survived again thanks to its thoughtful design, according to appearance resembling an airplane wing. Today Kansai is a unique airport that has no analogues in the world. It is the only one located directly in the sea and, moreover, quite successfully. After all, water muffles the noise of endlessly taking off and landing planes. Thus, the air terminal operating without interruption does not cause any inconvenience local residents. Not far from it there is an air park. Here, tourists can have fun with flight simulators or watch takeoffs and landings from the observatory. In addition to its original location, Kansai has another interesting characteristic: like the Great Wall, it is clearly visible from space.

What do you know about airports? If you fly often, you've probably seen a lot of them. And of course, we made a list for ourselves, which includes the most beautiful airports according to your version.

High in the Caucasus Mountains, in northern Georgia, there is small town Mestia. There are a lot of medieval stone towers, forming part World Heritage UNESCO. But one tower is different from the rest. This is Queen Tamara Airport. It was built in 2010 and consists mainly of glass. The airport tower is square and points upward, and its wings are the ancient buildings located around it.

The airport's operations are not as successful as its design. Initially it was planned to make Mestia ski resort, but Queen Tamara Airport did not receive the code of the International Association air transport due to the small number of passengers. Now there's only one charter airline operates flights from Mestia four times a week.

Queen Tamar Airport is just one of many unique and beautifully designed airports featured in the book Airport Art: The World's Most Beautiful Terminals. The authors of this book are Alexander Gutzmer, Laura Frommberg and Stefan Eiselin. The book shows not only airports from which planes fly to all countries of the world, but also ones like Spaceport America in New Mexico, where the number of passengers is zero.

An airport is a complex complex that must ensure the operation of air transport, the departure and arrival of passengers and cargo. And all this should work like clockwork. But also this air gate city or country. And that means a way to make a first impression, which, as we know, is very important. We will show you the most beautiful airports in the world.