Inside one of the world’s scariest airports where pilots have to avoid trains on the runway

By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 12:02 BST, 30 April 2025 | Updated: 12:15 BST, 30 April 2025

An airport in New Zealand has been described as one of the world’s scariest places to land a plane. 

And it’s for a very unusual reason. 

As bizarre as it sounds, Gisborne Airport’s main runway actually has a railway line cutting directly across it. 

The airport’s air controllers have to coordinate takeoffs and landings with the train’s schedule. 

However, luckily for them and any nervous travellers, the train line is currently only used 15 times a year. 

The Gisborne City Vintage Railway’s steam train is the only train to use the line and travels between Gisborne and Muriwai. 

It’s a popular tourist route and tends to run during the summer and when cruise ships are visiting. 

The airport is used much more frequently than its trainline as Air New Zealand operates daily non-stop flights from Gisborne to Auckland.  

As bizarre as it sounds, Gisborne Airport’s main runway actually has a railway line cutting directly across it

The Gisborne City Vintage Railway’s steam train is the only train to use the line and travels between Gisborne and Muriwai

The airport is used much more frequently as Air New Zealand operates daily non-stop flights from Gisborne to Auckland

But Gisborne isn’t just worth visiting for its unique airport. 

Located on New Zealand’s east coast, the city has fantastic surfing beaches, a range of wineries and it’s the first place in the world to see the sunrise. 

Prefer to fly from a more luxurious airport? 

The world’s best airports were recently named in a new ranking and the best-rated hub is even home to the globe’s tallest indoor waterfall. 

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Inside one of the world’s scariest airports where pilots have to avoid trains on the runway

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