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Dhaka, Wednesday   15 May 2024

Eye News Desk

Published: 15:54, 25 May 2023

The World`s shortest flight!

Suppose you go from one place to another in an airplane, what time would it take? I think it depends on the distance. It can be reached in half an hour if it is very close. But if the flight will be in the sky for a minute and a half or less, then? This is what happens during the world's shortest or shortest distance flight.

The world's shortest commercial flight takes an eye-popping distance of 1.7 miles. And that's why it got its name in the Guinness World Records. It travels between the two Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray. Fares start at £17.

Even though it takes a minute and a half to reach the destination, it is possible to cover the distance in a minimum of 53 seconds with a light weight on a good weather day. Of course, the time is in the sky.

Airplanes come and go on this route two to three times a day. The flight connects Westray in the Orkney Islands, north of Scotland, with the smaller, more remote island of Papa Westray.

It serves as the main means of communication with the outside world for the 80 inhabitants of the four-square-mile island throughout the year. In addition to islanders, the ferry also carries a large number of tourists in the summer. A large number of them leave during the day and return within the same day. They travel to experience small excursions and explore the island.

The journey actually starts from Kirkwell, the largest island in the archipelago. From here you will reach Westray Island in fifteen minutes. Then start the record making journey.

British airline Loganair operates flights on this route. Its headquarters are in Scotland. Two eight-seater Britain-Norman Islander aircraft ply this route. According to the information given by the airline, if the conditions are favorable, the minimum flight time is 57 seconds, that is, you will be in the sky for this time!

Those who travel regularly on this plane include island doctors, police, teachers. The minimum fare is £17 one-way, £36 round-trip.

The entire route is said to be the same distance as the runway of Edinburgh Airport in Scotland. Only 10 kg of fuel is required for this journey of the aircraft.

The airline has been operating flights on this route since 1967, i.e. 2017 marked its 50th anniversary.

Noel Phillips, a travel vlogger, came into the limelight in July last year with a video of the world's shortest and 'one of the most expensive' commercial flights. The flight takes 1 minute and 17 seconds to reach its destination.

The cost of the flight is seemingly very low, but if you calculate the cost per mile then you will read about 34 thousand pounds for a London-Dubai flight. What, the trip sure doesn't seem that much less expensive now.

The local council, meanwhile, thinks a bridge should be built between Papa Westray and Westray. But so far no decision has been made. Until then there is no doubt that the aircraft will serve the connection. Of course, you can reach from one island to another island even in a 20-minute boat trip by sailing along with the waves of the sea. However, islanders and tourists prefer this short flight. Who wants to miss the opportunity to save such an amazing experience!

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