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Britain's northernmost public airfield on Unst island.
Location
Baltasound, United Kingdom
Unst Airfield, designated ICAO code EGPW, is located near Baltasound on Unst, the northernmost inhabited island of the Shetland archipelago and of the United Kingdom. The airfield serves as a vital lifeline link for the small island community, providing essential air access to the rest of Shetland and mainland Scotland.
The airfield operates a grass runway and handles light aircraft and scheduled services connecting Unst to Lerwick/Tingwall and other inter-island Shetland destinations. Given the island's remote location and limited road and ferry options, air transport plays a disproportionately important role in the daily life of residents.
Unst is famous as the site of the former RAF Saxa Vord radar station and is known for its dramatic landscapes and Norse heritage. The airfield reflects the broader pattern of small, community-essential aerodromes that serve Scotland's island communities.
Terminals
The airfield has minimal terminal infrastructure, typical of small island aerodromes, with basic passenger handling facilities.
Getting to & from
Ground transport on Unst is limited, with local road connections available from the airfield to Baltasound village and other parts of the island.
Airlines here
Directflight Limited has historically operated inter-island scheduled services connecting Unst to other Shetland airfields on behalf of Loganair or under contract arrangements.
Notable facts
- ›Unst Airfield is the northernmost public airfield in the United Kingdom.
- ›The airfield serves the island of Unst, which has a population of only a few hundred people.
- ›Unst is also home to the former RAF Saxa Vord radar station, now partially repurposed.
- ›The airfield primarily handles light aircraft and small turboprop inter-island services.
- ›Air links are considered essential infrastructure for Unst due to limited ferry frequency and remoteness.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
