Donegal Airport has been named the most scenic airport in the world.
An independent panel of travel industry experts and influencers chose this year’s shortlist, and Donegal airport was named as the most scenic approach to any airport in the world.
The poll, which was voted for by the public, is a huge shot in the arm for the Carrickfin Airport.
Donegal Airport came in ahead of Barra Airport in Scotland, which came second, and Nice Airport in France which came in third.
Donegal Airport came second in the poll last year.
The poll in previous years has generated a considerable amount of global PR value for the airports and destinations in the Top 10, with last year’s media coverage including Travel + Leisure, Forbes, USA Today, and the Telegraph.
The private jet booking platform PrivateFly, asked the international travel community to name their top landing in its annual survey, with the most votes overall going to the Irish runway, on the country’s northwest Atlantic coast.
Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly and an experienced pilot, comments: “The top 10 is an annual bucket list for travel fans, a fascinating mix of global descents to fly in your lifetime. From tiny runways like last year’s winner Saba (the world’s shortest commercial runway) and Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides; to the major cityscapes offered up by London City or Miami International.
“Donegal is extraordinarily beautiful and deservedly sits in the top spot this year. Its rugged coastal landscapes were a location for the recent Star Wars movies, and it’s not hard to see why. Whether you’re in the Millennium Falcon; on a commercial airliner; or on a private jet, coming into land here feels like an otherworldly experience.”
One voter commented in support of Donegal: “You fly in low…and sweep out over an emerald sea with the perma-white froth of the Wild Atlantic Way, lashing the many tiny rocky islands in a turquoise sea.” Another praised the “spectacular views of the Atlantic coastline, the beautiful Mount Errigal and a beach which is the most stunning in the world.”
PrivateFly teamed up with a panel of travel experts to form the shortlist for the public vote, including aviation writers Rohit Jaggi and Miquel Ros; and travel influencers Henry Conway and Bonnie Rakhit.
Anne Bonner, Managing Director of Donegal Airport, said “Having been voted in the top ten in the last two years we are delighted to have been voted No. 1 airport landing in 2018. It is indeed a great endorsement from the travelling public and aviation/travel experts putting Donegal firmly on the map of the world’s places to visit. Donegal as a location was also chosen by National Geographic in 2017 ‘as the coolest place on the planet’ and what better way to explore Donegal than to fly into the World’s most scenic airport”
The 2018 top ten is as follows:
1. Donegal (Ireland)
2. Barra (Scotland)
3. Nice (France)
4. Queenstown (New Zealand)
5. Saba (Dutch Caribbean)
6. Orlando Melbourne (USA)
7. Toronto Billy Bishop (Canada)
8. London City (England, UK)
9. St Maarten (French/Dutch Caribbean)
10. Miami (USA)
Donegal Airport at Carrickfin
