Papua, the largest island in Indonesia, is home to (possibly) the World's Shortest Commercial Flight, according to CNN. At just 1.3 miles (2 kilometers), the route is second only to the Westray to Papa Westray route in Scotland, which spans 2 miles (3 kilometers) and is recognized as the World's Shortest Regular Commercial Flight.
The 73-second flight connects Kegata and Apowo in Papua, slightly longer than the Westray to Papa Westray route, which usually takes just over a minute but can be as short as 53 seconds depending on tailwinds.
Why choose air travel for a distance of 1.3 miles?
Although Kegata and Apowo are only 1.3 nautical miles apart and visible to each other, they are separated by a deep forested valley in a remote region of Indonesia. Traveling by land between the two villages requires navigating dense forests and steep mountain slopes, making air travel a more practical solution.
Not only a short flight, but also a short runway!
The runways at Kegata and Apowo are only 350 and 400 meters long, respectively, with no room to turn around after landing. With wet, slippery conditions and dramatic mountain scenery surrounding the airstrips, this is a flying experience unlike any other.
The flight uses a rugged Pilatus Porter aircraft, known for its ability to handle rough terrain. The Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter, which is operated in the remote areas of Papua by British pilot Matt Dearden, can carry up to 10 passengers on a single flight.
Although it's not a regular flight (a flight on a set schedule), Dearden's service is for paying passengers, making it possibly the world's shortest commercial flight.
A unique flying experience
Although the flight lasts just over a minute, passengers are treated to spectacular views of Papua's lush greenery. During the short journey, they soar over dense forests and majestic mountains, offering a glimpse of the region's pristine natural beauty.
