As of May 1, 2023, my version of the simulator has a total of 43,077 airports across 211 countries or territories, almost 7,000 of which have been modeled beyond their default scenery by the modification community or, in some instances, added if they weren’t included as default. There are around 55,000 airports around the world, including the very small airfields, so the sim has around 77% coverage. (As an aside, my version of Little Navmap has 4,893 VORs, 4,987 ILS approaches, 5,562 NDBs, 353,657 waypoints and 39,794 airspaces.) Continuing the stats, in the U.S. only about 550 airports are towered, while around 20,000 are non-towered. The states with the most towered airports are California (55), Florida (46) and Texas (44).
Almost all of my airports are freeware, but the in-sim marketplace has (as of February 16, 2023) 977 paid airports, with 122 more having been announced and another 93 in production that haven’t been announced.
The popular areas in Europe for modding have been England (around 350 at last count) and France (over 300). Germany, meanwhile, has around 260. Scandinavia as a whole has been worked on a lot: Norway has around 90 modified airports, while Denmark has around 50, and Sweden 80. Poland has almost 60. Greece has around 100, both on the mainland and on its islands, thanks to four megapacks from jackzyg. Mrbump has made several airstrips in Switzerland, at both low and high altitude. 44 European countries are currently represented in the sim. The six countries that have not yet seen the hand of modification are Andorra, Armenia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, North Macedonia and Vatican City. (Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Turkey are classed as being in Asia for the purposes of my collection.)
In the contiguous United States, the backcountries of Idaho, Washington State (both around 80) and Oregon (almost 60) have seen the most work. All 50 states have seen some modifications. Rhode Island was the final holdout for the longest time, but World Update 10 introduced Block Island (KBID).
Elsewhere in North America, Alaska has over 130 modified airports, while Canada has over 320 – largely around British Columbia and its islands.
In South America, Argentina has over 80. Brazil, meanwhile, has double that amount, mostly in the states in and around Rio de Janeiro. Ecuador has almost 200, due in no small part to fkarste’s 170-strip Amazonian megapack.
The Philippines has seen the most work in Asia, with around 70 airport mods, while the thirty or so airports that have been modified in Nepal (many via kychungdotcom’s two megapacks) have added to an already spectacular area. (44 of Asia’s 48 countries are represented, as it stands.)
Australia has over 400 modified airports, the majority in North South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. New Zealand has around 220, mostly thanks to three megapacks from phr34k86.
At a glance…
Below is a breakdown by region, firstly, then country. As a nod to the work they have done, I’ve mentioned the main provider(s) of the add-on content, if there is a recognisable amount from that individual.
Africa (45 countries):
| Algeria | |
| Angola | |
| Ascension Island | |
| Botswana | |
| Cameroon | |
| Cape Verde | |
| Chad | |
| Congo | |
| Egypt | |
| Equatorial Guinea | |
| Eswatini | |
| Ethiopia | Viktoren69 |
| Gambia | |
| Ghana | |
| Kenya | |
| Lesotho | |
| Libya | |
| Madagascar | |
| Malawi | darshonaut |
| Mali | |
| Maseru | |
| Mauritania | |
| Mauritius | |
| Mayotte | |
| Morocco | |
| Mozambique | sltcreations |
| Namibia | Viktoren69, aviapics |
| Niger | |
| Nigeria | |
| Reunion | |
| Rwanda | |
| Saint Helena | |
| Sao Tome and Principe | |
| Senegal | |
| Seychelles | ape42 |
| Sierra Leone | |
| Somalia | |
| South Africa | DangerousBanana |
| Sudan | |
| Tanzania | |
| Tromelin Island | |
| Tunisia | |
| Uganda | |
| Zambia | sltcreations |
| Zimbabwe |
Central America (7 countries):
| Belize | |
| Costa Rica | |
| El Salvador | |
| Guatemala | |
| Honduras | |
| Nicaragua | |
| Panama | kychungdotcom |
Contiguous United States (48 states, plus the federal district of Washington, D.C.):
| Alabama | |
| Arizona | JustOkayPilot |
| Arkansas | CaptHawkeye |
| California | |
| Colorado | |
| Connecticut | |
| Delaware | |
| Florida | |
| Georgia | |
| Idaho | phr34k86 |
| Illinois | |
| Indiana | julysfire |
| Iowa | |
| Kansas | |
| Kentucky | Airmapper |
| Louisiana | |
| Maine | 007 |
| Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | TheGuyWithARock |
| Minnesota | Tyke |
| Mississippi | |
| Missouri | |
| Montana | |
| Nebraska | |
| Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | |
| New Jersey | |
| New Mexico | |
| New York | |
| North Carolina | Windhover |
| North Dakota | Tyke |
| Ohio | Gaiiden |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | Kronzky and phr34k86 |
| Pennsylvania | alpha_670 |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | |
| Texas | jimblueaero |
| Utah | |
| Vermont | |
| Virginia | |
| Washington State | quelcertoleo, wookie042 |
| Washington, D.C. | |
| West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin | Windhover |
| Wyoming |
North America (10 countries):
| Alaska | Photosbykev, Brian Smith, Julysfire, jpfil and SJFLY2 |
| Bermuda | |
| Canada | CptMoustache, Ciprian Nistor and PropellerBC |
| Greenland | trille12321 |
| Hawaii | |
| Mexico | HSSsimulations |
| Midway Atoll | |
| North Pacific Territories | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Palmyra Island |
South America (14 countries):
| Argentina | brainshot |
| Bolivia | BoliviaVFR |
| Brazil | CmtePena, GPEREIRA and Tchockozzo |
| Chile | Fsimmerschile |
| Colombia | vpilotdesigns |
| Ecuador | fkarste |
| Falkland Islands | |
| French Guiana | timot75 |
| Paraguay | |
| Peru | |
| South Georgia Islands | |
| Suriname | |
| Uruguay | unTopo |
| Venezuela | edpatino |
Asia (45 countries):
| Afghanistan | kychungdotcom |
| Azerbaijan | |
| Bahrain | |
| Bhutan | kychungdotcom |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | |
| Brunei | |
| Cambodia | |
| China | faker, leanoon |
| Cyprus | |
| Hong Kong | |
| India | bagolu |
| Indonesia | capungflightTV, kychungdotcom and whywonder54 |
| Iran | bamzi |
| Iraq | |
| Israel | |
| Japan | AloisJP |
| Jordan | |
| Laos | smwwwin |
| Lebanon | |
| Malaysia | kychungdotcom, yemsno |
| Maldives | 0235 |
| Mongolia | |
| Myanmar | |
| Nepal | kychungdotcom, Sergio Del Rosso |
| North Korea (People’s Republic) | |
| Oman | |
| Pakistan | |
| Palestine | |
| Philippines | Kml921, turtletank1997 |
| Qatar | |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Siberia | |
| Singapore | |
| South Korea (Republic of Korea) | Mr_BOB |
| Sri Lanka | |
| Taiwan | kychungdotcom |
| Tajikistan | |
| Thailand | |
| Tibet | |
| Turkey | ardaguler |
| Turkmenistan | |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| Uzbekistan | |
| Vietnam | smwwwin |
| Yemen |
Caribbean (21 countries):
| Anguilla | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | |
| Bahamas | goldenred49 |
| Barbados | |
| Cuba | |
| Dominica | |
| Dominican Republic | |
| Grenada | |
| Guadeloupe | wilfridlisandro |
| Jamaica | |
| Montserrat | |
| Puerto Rico | |
| Saba | |
| Saint Barthelemy | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
| Saint Lucia | |
| Saint Martin | |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| Trinidad & Tobago | |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | |
| Virgin Islands |
Europe (46 countries; constituent U.K. countries itemized):
| Albania | |
| Austria | littlekrg and troglodytus |
| Belarus | |
| Belgium | Jan Cuypers and kayjaybe |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Bulgaria | |
| Croatia | Flilip13CRO |
| Czech Republic | JezevecCZE |
| Denmark | Claus Hansen |
| England | Neil Birch, Gobby, SAC Designs and superspud |
| Estonia | |
| Finland | kuriiridesign and WildLynxPilot |
| France | bagolu, alphabiceps |
| Georgia | |
| Germany | |
| Gibraltar | |
| Greece | jackzyg |
| Hungary | matemate |
| Iceland | Marteinn S. Sigurdsson |
| Italy | alphabiceps, quelcertoleo |
| Kazakhstan | |
| Kosovo | |
| Latvia | |
| Lithuania | |
| Luxembourg | |
| Macedonia | |
| Malta | |
| Moldova | |
| Netherlands | sobol |
| Northern Ireland | tamalien |
| Norway | Frank Kristiansen, Henning Jakobsen and Per |
| Poland | Chris Maver (Marcin Rysiak) |
| Portugal | |
| Republic of Ireland | |
| Romania | Ciprian Nistor |
| Russia | x-flight.su |
| San Marino | |
| Scotland | SAC Designs, superspud, Neil Birch and Ryan Langridge |
| Serbia & Montenegro | |
| Slovakia | |
| Slovenia | Flying Partners Slovakia |
| Spain | alphabiceps, frangollo |
| Sweden | Borgillios |
| Switzerland | mrbump |
| Ukraine | |
| Wales | Neil Birch |
Oceania (21 countries):
| American Samoa | |
| Australia | bindook, Jordan James, sltcreations |
| Cook Islands | |
| Fiji | |
| French Polynesia | kychungdotcom, sileo |
| Howland Island | |
| Kiribati | |
| Marshall Islands | kychungdotcom |
| Micronesia | |
| Nauru | |
| New Caledonia | bagolu |
| New Guinea | Milosanx and TBM940 |
| New Zealand | phr34k86 and str1kestudioz |
| Niue | |
| Palau | |
| Solomon Islands | |
| Tonga | |
| Tuvalu | |
| Vanuatu | |
| Wake Island | |
| Wallis and Futuna |
In addition, over twenty Antarctic airports have been modeled, mostly the work of kychungdotcom. latitude24 has modified McMurdo Station too.
Many of the above airstrips are clustered together. In the U.S., for example, there are groupings of modified airports around both urban centers and way out in the rural wilderness. Starting in the east, Michigan’s offerings are located between Detroit in the east and Grand Rapids in the west.
In Colorado, nineteen Ranchers Club strips have been enhanced. They are Redlands, Hubbard, Aspen, Mesa, Crystal Lakes, Williams Ranch, Gypsum Creek Ranch, Meyer Ranch, Glenwood Spring, Chapman Field, Crested Butte Airpark, Lake Creek Soaringport, Dodsworth, Wilson Ranch, Monte Madeira, Phylcon, Melby Ranch, Golden Field and Greenhorn Valley. There is also the fictional Rocky Mountain.
Southwest in Arizona, JustOkayPilot’s megapack added 25 handcrafted amendments all around the Phoenix area. He has also modified Cottonwood, Flagstaff Pulliam and Grand Canyon National Park. Bullfrogsim, meanwhile, has worked on Tucson.
Up north to Idaho, a megapack by phr34k86 has brought sixteen strips to life both here and in Oregon. They are Cache Creek, Dewey Moore, Dixie Town, Dovel, Marble Creek, Mile Hi, North Star Ranch, Pittsburg, Salmon Bar, Selway Lodge, Seminole Ranch, Shepp Ranch, Simonds, Soldier Bar, Wapshilla and Whitewater Ranch.
Next door, in Washington State, a pack by wookie042 has enhanced the San Juan Island airports. Included at last check were Allan Island, Blakely Island, Burden Field, Center Island, Clam Harbor, Crane Island, Crow Valley, Cypress Island, Decatur Jones, Decatur Shores, Deer Harbor, Eliza Island, Friday West, John’s Island, Miller’s Field, San Juan Island, San Juan Valley, Shaw Island, Sinclair Island, Sinclair’s Secret, Spieden Island, Stuart Island West, Waldron Island, Wilding Farm and Windsock.
Staying in North America, Anchorage, Alaska, has been worked on mostly around the islands in the vicinity of the capital, but there are also a few around Talkeetna. Photosbykev has made a compilation of several seaplane bases on and around Kodiak Island. Canada’s efforts are clustered in British Columbia, for the most part, while there are fifteen or so on the north coast of Quebec.
Down in Central America, kychungdotcom has added ten strips around Panama, including Tocumen International.
In South America, fkarste had made a megapack of 170 airstrips in the Ecuadorian rain forest, while Tchockozzo has put together a pack of 140 Brazilian bush strips.
Over in mainland Europe, Chamonix, France, has five along the border with Italy.
In Zurich, Switzerland, to the east of the city are Speck, Hegmatten (both in Winterthur), Lommis, Amlikon and Sitterdorf (Thurgau), to the south are Hasenstrick and Hausen am Albis, and to the west are Buttwil, Birrfeld and Fricktal-Schupfart (Aargau).
Around Prague, Czech Republic, are Bubovice, Rakovnik, Sazena, Panensky Tynec, Kolin and Benesov, in the immediate area, with several others out towards the borders.
In Athens, Greece, starting near the capital, there are Kotroni, Thiva and Megara, but there are also a handful to both the west and north. There is also at least one modified airport on most of the islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
In Kazakhstan, Turgay Airport (UAUT) is about 140 nm southwest of Arkalyk North Airport (UAUR).
In Warsaw, Poland, clockwise from the north, there is Chrcynno, Goraszka, Konstancin, Karczew, Sobienie Szlacheckie and Modlin.
Kuriiridesign added more detail to eleven airports in Finland: Ainola, Enontekio, Helsinki, Kauhava, Kokkola-Pietarsaari, Kuusamo, Kittila, Rovaniemi, Seinajoki, Pirkkala and Vaasa. WildLynxPilot has done a similar amount, mostly in the southern part of the country.
In Iceland, Marteinn S. Sigurdsson has made megapack of one hundred airstrips, which is definitely the most mods per square mile of land area (~40,000 sq mi).
Finally in Europe, Norway’s airports and airstrips has been enhanced mostly thanks to the work of Kjetil Haavan. Frank Kristiansen has also added around fifteen others.
In Asia, kychungdotcom has made a couple of megapacks that bring to life airstrips in Nepal. They are Bajhang, Baitadi, Bharatpur, Chandragadhi, Dhangadhi, Doti, Falgunanda, Kalikot, Khiji Chandeshwori, Lamidanda, Mahendranagar, Masinechaur, Phaplu, Resunga, Rumjatar, Sanphebagar, Taplejung and Thamkharka. He has done the same in Indonesia.
Moving east, New Guinea has a multitude of strips in the Central Range, thanks to Kronzky, the creator of many Idaho and Oregon strips. TBM940 has added or modified twelve airstrips: WAJC, WADC, WAOG, WAVG, WAVC, WANM, WADJ, WABJ, WACY, WAOA, WACF and WACV.
As mentioned above, Jordan James has built 25 airports, from scratch, around the Australian state of Victoria. They are Apollo, Ararat, Bridgewater, Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Cobden, Coldstream, Drouin, Echuca, Kyabram, Lethbridge, Leongatha, Lilydale, Latrobe Valley, Moorabbin, Mangalore, Colac, Peterborough, Shepparton, Warrnambool, King Lake, Yeaburn, Taggerty, Merton and Mansfield. He also added four private strips around the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne’s south east. They are Moorooduc, Somerville, Cowes and Koo Wee Rup.
User phr34k86 added scenery for around 70 airports on New Zealand’s North Island and 50 on its South Island.
Not resting on his laurels, kychungdotcom has made a megapack of twenty airstrips in French Polynesia.
Out of the way…
Islands
At the other extreme are the remote departures or destinations, with no other airports (with facilities, at least) for 100 miles or more. The first selections are all found on islands.
Starting in Alaska, Casco Cove Coast Guard Station (PAAT) is 400 nautical miles from Russian landfall to the west and just under 900 nm back east to the Alaskan mainland. The island on which it is located, Attu Island, part of the Aleutian Islands, is the westernmost point of Alaska and became uninhabited in 2010.
Moving well to the south, into the North Pacific Ocean, Henderson Field (PMDY), on Sand Island in Midway Atoll, is 1,150 nm from the Hawaiian islands. The airfield operated until 1993 as Naval Air Facility Midway. From November to June, when albatrosses are present, departures and arrivals are limited to nights.
To the west, off Japan is Minami Torishima (RJAM), which is just under 1,000 nm from Tokyo. It was built in 1935 by the Imperial Japanese Navy to serve meteorological station. It is now used by the Japan Meteorological Agency. A little closer to the Chinese mainland is Central Field (Iwo Jima; RJAW). It is used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Wake Island Airfield (PWAK), a military airport, is 750 nm southeast of RJAM.
Further south in the Philippine Sea, in the Northern Mariana Islands, are Saipan International (PGSN) and Tinian International (PGWT). Rota Island’s sole offering is Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International (PGRO).
On Guam, meanwhile, is Andersen Air Force Base (PGUA) and Antonio B. Won Pat International (PGUM).
In the South Pacific, amongst a handful of basic Leeward Islands airports, is the handcrafted Maupiti Airport (NTTP) with an intriguing supported northeastern corner of the runway to keep it out of the ocean.
To the south, on Mutuaura, is Rimatara Airport (NTAM) and, on Raivavae, its eponymous strip (NTAV).
East of Australia, on Vanuatu, is Bauerfield International (NVVV). It serves as the hub for Vanuatu’s flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu.
In the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea is Taiping Island Airport (RCSP). It lies over 300 nm east of the Vietnamese coast.
The Seychelles are just under 100 nm east of the Kenyan coast. At the time of writing, ten airports have been modeled.
300 miles off Morocco is Cristiano Ronaldo International (LPMA). Just to the northeast is Porto Santo Airport (LPPS).
Off Senegal, in the Cape Verde islands, are several airports, including Amílcar Cabral International (GVAC) and Nelson Mandela International (GVNP).
Slap dab between Brazil and South Africa is RAF Ascension Island (FHAW). 700 nm to its southeast is Saint Helena (FHSH).
900 nm north of Antarctica and 2,000 nm from the Western Australian coast is Heard Island (YHIS).
2,000 nm east of Heard Island is Hmas Fury (HMAS).
800 nm west of Russia is Nagurskoye Air Base (UODN).
250 nm west of Greenland but part of Norway, on the volcanic island of Jan Mayen, is the aptly named Jan Mayensfield aerodrome (ENJA).
Mainland
The obvious outposts possess some of the most remote airports. (Not all of those mentioned below are add-ons; some are stock offerings by Asobo.)
Starting in Greenland, Nerlerit Inaat (BGCO) is 450 nm from any of the nation’s other airports. That airport is Kulusuk (BGKK), itself 340 nm from its nearest neighbour, Kangerlussuaq (BGSF). Akureyri (BIAR), in Iceland, is just over 300 nm to the south.
In Quebec, Canada, Cape Dorset Airport (CYTE) is over 200 nm west of Iqaluit (CYFB). Salluit (CYZG) and Ivujivik (CYIK) are slightly closer, but across the Hudson Strait. In Saskatchewan, Pelican Narrows Water Aerodrome (CKE4) is about equidistant (at around 230 nm) from Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International (CYXE) and, in Manitoba, Little Churchill River (CJN7). Up in the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife Airport (CYZF), on Great Slave Lake, is 250 nm east of Wrigley Airport (CYWY). Wrigley, meanwhile, is 240 nm northeast of Watson Lake (CYQH) in the Yukon.
Also in Yukon is Old Crow Airport (CYOC), about 220 nm north of both Dawson City Airport (CYDA) and, across the border in Alaska, Chicken Airport (CKX).
In Russia, Tura Mountain Airport (UNIT) is just under 300 nm west of Aykhal Airport (UERA). Tiksi Aerodrome (UEST) is 230 nm north of Sakkyryr (UEBS). Zhigansk (UEVV), on the banks of the Lena River, is about 180 nm from Sakkyryr. Bovanenkov (USDB) is just over 200 nm from Vorkuta Sovetskiy Air Base (USOE). Varandey Airport (ULDW) is 130 nm northeast of Naryan-Mar (ULAM). Zyryanka Airport (UESU) and Moma Airport (UEMA) are the closest airports to each other, at 180 nm. Markovo Airport (UHMO) is 140 nm south of Pevek (UPEK). After Markovo, UPEK’s nearest neighbour is Chersky (UESS), 220 nm to the northwest. Continuing the game, Chersky’s closest airport is another one named Pevek (UHMP), 205 nm to the northeast. Mys Shmidta Airport (UHMI) is 220 nm along the coast from Pevek. Bodaybo Airport (UIKB) is 150 nm northwest of Chara Airport (UIAR). Other than Bodaybo, Chara’s nearest neighbours are both 240 nm away, to the northeast and southeast. One of them, Aldan Airport (UEEA), is 180 nm from Olyokminsk Airport (UEMO). Amga Airport (UAMG) is 160 nm northwest of Ayan Airport (UHNX). Okhotsk Airport (UHOO) is roughly 170 nm up the coast from another airport named Tukchi (UHOI).
In Algeria, Aguenar Airport (DAAT) is just over 200 nm south of I-N-Salah Airport (DAIA).
In Niger, Dirkou Airport (DRZD) is roughly 190 nm north of Nguigmi Airport (DRNG).
Sharq El Owainat Airport (HEOW), in Egypt, is 160 nm west of Abu Simbel (HEBL).
In China, Qiemo Airport (ZWCM) is 210 nm south of Korla Airport (ZWKL). Xilinhot Airport (ZBXH), in Inner Mongolia, is about 160 nm from three airports. Holingol Huolinhe Airport (ZBHZ) is around 120 nm southwest of Ulanhot Airport (ZBUL).
Highest elevation…
Four airports in the world are 14,000 feet or more above mean sea level. All in China, they are Daocheng Yading (ZUDC; 14,472), Qamdo Bamda (ZUBD; 14,219), Kangding (ZUKD; 14,042) and Ngari Gunsa (ZUAL; 14,022).
Lowest elevation…
Bar Yehuda Airfield (LLMZ) in Israel is 1,266 feet below mean sea level.
Longest runway…
Shigatse Peace Airport (ZURK) in China has a paved runway 16,404 feet in length. There are currently four other airports in the world with paved runways over 16,000 feet. The longest in the U.S. is at Denver International (KDEN).
Shortest runway…
Simko Field Airport (1ID9) in Idaho, U.S., has a runway 400 feet in length.
The Sim Guy 