Could The World's Worst Airport Be In Roatan?

[Buliwyf]

About 28% of all children in nations classified as "developing countries" are underweight or stunned. Half of humanity is effected by water problems. Yet, these populations should be spending all their resources on the freakin' airport so that the "Western tourist" could land in style and should have a more comfortable 90 minutes.

The "first world arrogance" being displayed here is really mind boggling.

Because people living in mud huts improve an entire nation all the time. Happens every day right? There's a reason most sane backwards countries want to impress the "western tourist". Not chase them away.

Thanks for the warning OP.

 

[tarponchik]

@DixieDolphin: Thanks! Some things never change...

 

[KevinG58]

World's worst airport? That's a bit of an exaggeration, I think. I just got back yesterday from my third trip down there and that airport, while sparse and bare, is not horrible. I get through there far faster and easier than I do in my home airport of LAX, that's for sure.

To be fair, I usually take the rather low-capacity San Salvador-Roatan Avianca flight on either Saturday or Sunday. So, it's typically less than 20 people disembarking with me. But even on departure, sharing the room with the big crowds for United & Delta flights, it's not so bad. Heck... to me, it has a certain charm to it.

And it's an island airport in the third world? Is anybody really expecting sleek, shiny luxury?

I don't know about charm, but it has gotten better in the 10 years I've been going down. The remaining privations simply encourage me to stay for a couple of weeks and maximize diving.

 

[KeithG]

We left last saturday (from utila) and the airport was totally fine. As good as Houston.

Since we landed from Utila, we got to walk un-escorted across the tarmac (we did wait to get a wave from the ground control guy with the 2 orange flash lights that was directing a small plane about to leave). We walked in the domestic arrivals door (hidden way down around the corner on the far side of the airport building), walked past the xray arrivals screener guy and got directly into the united check in line. No lineup for security. About 10 minutes from arrival to sitting in departure lounge. Free wifi and water cooler.

There were only 3 US flights and they were staggered so that only 2 planes worth were in the departure lounge. Lots of room. Well there would be except for all the stupid American tourists that took up 2 chairs each. Morons...

 

[lthomas132]

We left last saturday (from utila) and the airport was totally fine. As good as Houston.

Since we landed from Utila, we got to walk un-escorted across the tarmac (we did wait to get a wave from the ground control guy with the 2 orange flash lights that was directing a small plane about to leave). We walked in the domestic arrivals door (hidden way down around the corner on the far side of the airport building), walked past the xray arrivals screener guy and got directly into the united check in line. No lineup for security. About 10 minutes from arrival to sitting in departure lounge. Free wifi and water cooler.

There were only 3 US flights and they were staggered so that only 2 planes worth were in the departure lounge. Lots of room. Well there would be except for all the stupid American tourists that took up 2 chairs each. Morons...

How did you know that they were Americans? Some stupid Canadians take up 2 chairs too!

 

[dmaziuk]

And besides, Americans are not stupid anymore, since June 23rd the Brits are. And will remain so at least until November.

 

[schwinnfin]

I do not remember the Roatan airport, but my connecting flight to Roatan was from
Toncontín International Airport and that flight scarred the c$%# out of me. We almost hit the side of the mountain.

And it was probably an old Russian plane. When I was there, the Cyrillic signs were still in place on the plane. Good luck figuring out which was the emergency exit.

 

[schwinnfin]

Alotau in Papua New Guinea is the worst I've been to. The ladies room was flooded with about 3" of water and there were bugs as big as my cat in the sink. There is no air conditioning and everybody was smoking or spitting betel nut juice on the floor. The plane came in, circled, and went back to Port Moresby because there is no way for it to land if it's bad visibility. We had to wait four hours in that pest hole for the plane to return.

 

[schwinnfin]

I've actually enjoyed the "3rd world" countries I've visited. Most of the people are friendly and seem to be quite happy, despite having far less than we do, here in Canada. I do go for the diving, primarily, but also like to experience the culture, language(s), history, food and ecology. Garbage is a problem, but it's primarily due to a lack of infastructure.......a lot of it is discarded "packaging" that we (Canada and the US) have foisted on them. A lot of the "abandoned" buildings are "just not finished yet".....at least that's what I learned from one of the guides in Guatemala. It's the same reason that you often see rebar sticking out from the upper story of a building. i.e. the possible need to add another floor if the family grows.

In Egypt, they told us that they are taxed on the size of the building so you are right, they do leave the rebar sticking up for future growth. They don't want to build bigger than they have to so they don't get taxed on the property until they absolutely have to enlarge it.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

On the other hand the sandwichs in the departure longe are phenominal!!! The chipotle club is one of the bst sandwishs i have ever had! The bakery is in the corner of the departures lounge. You wont be disappointed.