5 Most Dangerous Airport Landings: See Here

Several airport landings are far more difficult than others, and they can quickly turn into a harrowing encounter that makes even the most experienced regular fliers clutch their armrests.

Here are seven of the world’s most dangerous airports, ranging from mountain ranges to oceans to less than half-mile runways, where landings and takeoffs necessitate great precision and tremendous pilot talent.

1. BHUTAN’S PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The only international airport in Bhutan is Paro. The tiny airport is tucked away in a deep valley, surrounded by high peaks rising to 5,500 meters (18,000 feet). Winds howl through the valley, causing a lot of turbulence. Flights are only permitted during daylight hours and under visual meteorological conditions, which require pilots to make decisions based on their eyes rather than aircraft instruments.

2. FRANCE’S COURCHEVEL AIRPORT

The runway at Lukla Airport is only 527 meters (1,729 feet) long, but the one at Courchevel Airport is even shorter at 525 meters (1722 feet). This airport, which serves the exclusive ski resort of Courchevel in the French Alps, is also built on a cliff, so pilots must ensure that they gain enough speed for departure to avoid falling over. The runway has an 18.6 percent downward grade, which makes takeoff and landing even more difficult.

3. HONDURAS’ TONCONTIN AIRPORT

The landing of Toncontin Airport, which is located near Honduras’ capital, has long been regarded as one of the most perilous in the world, especially in bad weather. Because of the rugged terrain around the little airport, pilots must perform a spectacular approach that is anything but straight ahead, with a steep descent and sharp turn before lining up with the runway. It’s also one of the most dangerous airports on the planet.

4. NEW ZEALAND’S WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Wellington International Airport, which serves New Zealand’s capital, is the country’s third-busiest airport, after Auckland and Christchurch. It has a single 2,081-meter (6,827-foot) runway that looks to begin and finish in the sea. Due to the channeling effect of Cook Strait causing strong and gusty winds, especially in north-westerly circumstances, the airport has a reputation for occasionally harsh and bumpy landings, even in larger aircraft.

5. BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORY’S GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Because the runway at Gibraltar’s airport is parallel to the main road in and out of the British Overseas Territory, traffic must be stopped whenever a jet land or departs. As a result of the traffic bottlenecks, a tunnel was built beneath the runway, although the project has been beset by delays and is still not complete. The highway crossing isn’t the main concern for pilots; it’s the intense turbulence and wind shear that makes landings around the Rock of Gibraltar and across the Bay of Algeciras difficult and uncomfortable. Diversions and go-arounds are rather prevalent in the winter.