The most beautiful airport approaches in the world

Barra Airport, Scotland - and the world's - only regular beach runway has been selected as one of the world's most stunning airport approaches in a competition which sees the small island airport go head to head with some of the best known destinations.

The airport is competing for top spot in a poll by PrivateFly.com, the leading private jet booking service, against some of the world's most iconic airports, including Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Venice, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hong Kong.

A a panel of travel industry judges - which include Forbes' Matthew Stibbe, Tiffany Dowd of Luxe Social Media, and Travel Weekly Chairman Clive Jacobs - have chosen 37 airports which they think offer the most stunning views on approach in the world.

Barra, which won the award in 2012, says on their nomination: 'Where else in the world can you fly over majestic mountains, stunning coastline and turquoise seas before descending over an historic harbour castle and landing on a large silver sand beach? Totally stunning and totally unique. Nothing comes close.'

Barra Airport handled 10,560 passengers last year and is one of the smallest airports in the shortlist. By contrast, Sochi airport handles 2.4 million passengers whereas Amsterdam handles more than 50 million passengers.

Planes can only land at Barra when the tide is out and it is the only beach airport which is used by scheduled services.

The airstrip was also made famous in the film Staggered starring Martin Clunes.

The shortlist gives a fascinating mix of global descents to experience at least once in a lifetime. From major city views such as Las Vegas and London City; to tiny remote airstrips such as Saba in the Caribbean.

Last year the winner was Nice Cote D'Azur, which was praised by voters for its 'sublime beauty', 'full range of colours at a glance', and 'amazing views of the French Riviera'. 

Adam Twidell, CEO of poll organiser PrivateFly, experienced pilot and member of the judging panel said: 'The PrivateFly Airport Approaches Poll is an annual checklist for air travel fans. 

'We asked travel industry experts to put together the shortlist and it includes iconic city views such as Las Vegas and London City; to tiny remote airstrips such as Saba - the world's shortest commercial runway; or the awe-inspiring mountain scenery at Aspen or Jackson Hole. 

'But it's now up to the travelling public to decide which airport offers the world's very best runway view.' 

Fans can vote for their favourite airport landing here.

(dailymail.co.uk)