Nonstop flight route between Sheung Wan, China and Lajes, Azores, Portugal:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Shun Tak Heliport (HHP), Sheung Wan, China and Lajes Air Base (TER), Lajes, Azores, Portugal would travel a Great Circle distance of 7,529 miles (or 12,117 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Shun Tak Heliport and Lajes Air Base, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Shun Tak Heliport and Lajes Air Base. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Shun Tak Heliport (HHP):

• The terminal is one of the several in Hong Kong that provide ferry services to Macau and cities in southern China.
• The furthest airport from Shun Tak Heliport (HHP) is Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza International Airport (TJA), which is nearly antipodal to Shun Tak Heliport (meaning Shun Tak Heliport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza International Airport), and is located 12,348 miles (19,871 kilometers) away in Tarija, Bolivia.
• Apart from ferry and helicopter, the ferry terminal is a public transport hub to various parts of Hong Kong.
• Because of Shun Tak Heliport's relatively low elevation of 107 feet, planes can take off or land at Shun Tak Heliport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• The heliport is formally known as the Shun Tak Heliport.
• The closest airport to Shun Tak Heliport (HHP) is Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is located only 15 miles (25 kilometers) W of HHP.
• The terminal utilises two island piers, each with several ferry docks, linked by enclosed pedestrian bridges to the ticketing and departure/arrival hall facilities in the lower levels of the Shun Tak Centre on the shore.

Facts about Lajes Air Base (TER):

• In 1947, the Portuguese Esquadra 41 started to operate from Lajes, equipped with Boeing SB-17, Grumman HU-16 Albatross, Douglas C-54 Skymaster and, later Sikorsky H-19.
• During World War II, the designation of the airfield was changed to Air Base No.4 and the Portuguese government expanded the runway, sending troops and equipment to Terceira, including Gloster Gladiator fighters.
• The furthest airport from Lajes Air Base (TER) is Merimbula Airport (MIM), which is nearly antipodal to Lajes Air Base (meaning Lajes Air Base is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Merimbula Airport), and is located 12,229 miles (19,680 kilometers) away in Merimbula, New South Wales, Australia.
• In August 2006, Portuguese news agencies reported that both governments were in discussions for a new agreement that could allow the use of Lajes for the training of a permanent F-22 Raptor squadron.
• Because of Lajes Air Base's relatively low elevation of 180 feet, planes can take off or land at Lajes Air Base at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• Lajes Air Base (TER) currently has only 1 runway.
• The closest airport to Lajes Air Base (TER) is Graciosa Airport (GRW), which is located 55 miles (89 kilometers) WNW of TER.
• The origin of the Lajes Field dates back to 1928, when Portuguese Army Lieutenant colonel Eduardo Gomes da Silva wrote a report on the possible construction of an airfield in the plainland of Lajes, for that branch's aviation service.
• In addition to being known as "Lajes Air Base", other names for TER include "Base Aérea das Lajes", "Base Aérea Nº 4" and "Aeroporto das Lajes".
• In the summer of 1984, Lajes undertook a new mission known as "SILK PURSE." Boeing EC-135s began operating out of Lajes Field as an airborne command post for the U.S.
• Lajes supported the large airlift during the Gulf War.