The shortest international flight routes in the world showcase how air travel connects regions, even over remarkably short distances. These routes, often under 100 km, serve as vital links for communities, businesses, and tourists, demonstrating the efficiency and necessity of aviation in unique scenarios.
This article explores the shortest international flight routes in the world by distance, focusing on their frequency, aircraft types, and operational contexts. All flights listed meet the criteria of regular scheduling and use fixed-wing aircraft, highlighting a fascinating range of aviation setups.
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Gulf Air, A9C-TD, Airbus A320-251N, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87337872Shortest International Flight Routes in the World
All flights discussed operate under 100 kilometers in Great Circle Distance (GCD), a measurement reflecting the shortest path between two points on a spherical Earth.
GCD is a critical metric in aviation, ensuring precise comparisons regardless of the Earth’s curvature.
For this analysis, only routes with regular weekly frequencies are considered. Flights on semi-charter arrangements are excluded, ensuring all examples represent standard commercial operations.
Below is the list of shortest international flight routes in the world by distance.
| 1 | BZV-FIH | Brazzaville to Kinshasa | ASKY Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines | Boeing 737-800 Passenger | 24 | 15 | 7 |
| 2 | SBH-SFG | St Barthelemy to St Martin | Air Antilles | Cessna 208B Caravan | 31 | 15 | 37 |
| 3 | SAB-SXM | Saba to St Maarten | Winair | DHC6 Twin Otter | 45 | 15 | 55 |
| 4 | EUX-SXM | St Eustatius to St Maarten | Winair | DHC6 Twin Otter | 61 | 20 | 56 |
| 5 | BON-CUR | Bonaire to Curacao | Winair | Saab 340 | 74 | 35 | 17 |
| 6 | BBK-VFA | Kasane to Victoria Falls | Airlink | Cessna Light Aircraft (Single Turboprop) | 77 | 35 | 14 |
| 7 | CRU-SVD | St Vincent to Carriacou | InterCaribbean Airways, Sunrise Airways | DHC6 Twin Otter | 79 | 35 | 10 |
| 8 | BAH-DMM | Dammam to Bahrain | Gulf Air | Airbus A320neo | 87 | 40 | 10 |
| 9 | SKB-SXM | St Kitts to St Maarten | Winair | DHC6 Twin Otter | 90 | 30 | 16 |
| 10 | FLL-NSB | Fort Lauderdale to Bimini | Silver Airways, JetBlue, United | Cessna Light Aircraft (Single Turboprop) | 95 | 45 | 17 |
1. Brazzaville (BZV) to Kinshasa (FIH)
- Distance: 24 km
- Airline: ASKY Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
- Flight Time: 15 minutes (Actual Time) | 50 min (Scheduled Time)
- Frequency: 7 flights weekly
The shortest international flight route in the world connects Brazzaville (BZV), the capital of the Republic of Congo, to Kinshasa (FIH) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Covering a mere 24 kilometers, the scheduled duration is 50 minutes but the actual flight time is around 15 minutes.
2. St Martin (SFG) to St Barthelemy (SBH)
- Distance: 31 km
- Airline: Air Antilles
- Aircraft: Cessna 208B Caravan
- Flight Time: 15 minutes
- Frequency: 37 flights weekly
This 31-kilometer route connects two popular Caribbean islands, St Martin (French part) and St Barthelemy, attracting tourists seeking a quick change of scenery.
With an average of five daily flights, it’s approximately 495 times shorter than the world’s longest flight, underscoring the unique regional demand for ultra-short routes.
3. Saba (SAB) to St Maarten (SXM)
- Distance: 45 km
- Airline: Winair
- Aircraft: De Havilland-Bombardier DHC6 Twin Otter
- Flight Time: 15 minutes
- Frequency: 55 flights weekly
This flight connects Saba with St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side of the island.
St Maarten/St Martin, renowned for its dual airports, features prominently in regional air travel, with this route being one of the shortest connections in the Caribbean.
4. St Maarten (SXM) to St Eustatius (EUX)
- Distance: 61 km
- Airline: Winair
- Aircraft: DHC6 Twin Otter
- Flight Time: 20 minutes
- Frequency: 56 flights weekly
This route is the most frequent among the Top 10 shortest commercial flights, operating 56 flights weekly. It highlights the importance of air travel in the Caribbean, with six of the ten shortest flights globally located within the region.
5. Bonaire (BON) to Curacao (CUR)
- Distance: 74 km
- Airline: Winair
- Aircraft: Saab 340
- Flight Time: 35 minutes
- Frequency: 17 flights weekly
This 25-minute flight connects Bonaire and Curacao, part of the ABC Islands. These islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—are aligned geographically from west to east.
Although the Aruba-Curacao route spans 125 km and exceeds this list’s criteria, the Bonaire-Curacao segment fits comfortably among the world’s shortest flights.
Photo: Airlink6. Kasane (BBK) to Victoria Falls (VFA)
- Distance: 77 km
- Airline: Airlink
- Aircraft: Cessna Light Aircraft (Single Turboprop)
- Flight Time: 35 minutes
- Frequency: 14 flights weekly
This scenic route between Botswana and Zimbabwe covers 77 kilometers. With 420 scheduled flights during the summer season, it highlights the route’s popularity, especially among tourists visiting the world-famous Victoria Falls.
7. St Vincent (SVD) to Carriacou (CRU)
- Distance: 79 km
- Airline: InterCaribbean Airways, Sunrise Airways
- Aircraft: DHvilld-Bombardier DHC6 Twin Otter
- Flight Time: 35 minutes
- Frequency: 10 flights weekly
This route offers a convenient daily connection between St Vincent and Carriacou, catering to tourists and residents alike. With a weekly frequency of 10 flights, it allows for flexible day-trip travel, emphasizing its importance in local connectivity.
8. Dammam (DMM) to Bahrain (BAH)
- Distance: 87 km
- Airline: Gulf Air
- Aircraft: Airbus A320neo
- Flight Time: 40 minutes
- Frequency: 10 flights weekly
As the only Middle Eastern route on this list, this 87-kilometer flight connects Dammam, Saudi Arabia, with Bahrain.
Using the Airbus A320neo, this route accommodates over 120 passengers per flight, showcasing its role in regional business and leisure travel.
9. St Maarten (SXM) to St Kitts (SKB)
- Distance: 90 km
- Airline: Winair
- Aircraft: DHvilld-Bombardier DHC6 Twin Otter
- Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Frequency: 16 flights weekly
This is the fourth and final appearance of St Maarten/St Martin on this list. Known for its proximity to Maho Beach, Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) offers breathtaking views for aviation enthusiasts.
This route connects the Dutch side of the island with St Kitts, a popular tourist destination in the Leeward Islands.
Photo: JFK Spotting10. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Bimini North SPB (NSB)
- Distance: 95 km
- Airline: Silver Airways, JetBlue, United
- Aircraft: Cessna Light Aircraft (Single Turboprop)
- Flight Time: 45 minutes
- Frequency: 17 flights weekly
The flight from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini provides a quick 45-minute journey, making it a popular choice for American visitors heading to the Bahamas for leisure activities like fishing and snorkeling.
Photo: By LLBG Spotter, reduce noise and color balance by Habitator terrae – Ethiopian Airlines ET-AVJ takeoff from TLV (46461974574).jpg (Ethiopian Airlines ET-AVJ takeoff from TLV), CC BY-SA 2.0Bottom Line
These ultra-short international flights demonstrate aviation’s ability to meet diverse demands, from cross-border business needs to tourism.
Each route reflects regional necessities and operational creativity, ensuring efficient connectivity for passengers and goods.
Understanding these flights offers insight into the broader role of aviation in bridging even the shortest distances.
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