The location of some airports in a distant place appears to be quite scenic but when it comes to landing an airplane in that beautiful location, it requires special training and perfect control. There is a lot of turning and hustling required before the plane is ready to touch the ground at these "dangerous" airports. This compilation of 20 most risky airports around the world will take you on a ride you’ll never forget!
Lukla Airport, Nepal
With snow-clad mountains in a distance and mind-blowing views captivating us, Lukla airport is definitely a unique airport enchanting the travelers with mountainous views. We don’t even need to mention the lowest temperatures in that area.
However, all this is irrelevant when it comes to a smooth landing of the airplane at this Tenzing–Hillary Airport that is 9,325 feet high with the runway being 1,600 feet in length. The danger comes in the form of angles and steep slopes that need to be tackled perfectly!
Paro Airport, Bhutan
This one is a big deal!
Paro Airport in Bhutan is anything but easy for airplane landings. This is why there are only 17 pilots who are qualified to accomplish this big task. Of course, when a runway would be amidst mountain peaks as high as 18,000 feet, it requires a highly professional team to execute a safe and smooth landing.
To avoid any mishap on the 500-foot runway, the arrival and departure of all the flights are fixed during the daytime as during the landing, the pilots are unable to see the runway until they are really close. So, it’s better to take the necessary precaution.
Courchevel International Airport, France
This one has dangerous factors all around the region!
Courchevel Altiport is all about mountainous terrain that is extremely unsafe for the flight landings along with a runway that’s only 1,762-foot long. It is almost impossible to accomplish a touchdown when the weather is foggy due to the unavailability of lighting aids at the airport.
So, there are enough reasons for this airport to be considered dangerous.
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
McMurdo Station of Antarctica is all ice (of course, what else could you expect from a place where snow can’t disappear).
This station has three airports that work according to the season. One of them is the Phoenix Airfield that has a snow runway which is really short. There is danger written all over this place. We think it is definitely an adventure to even just watch the flight land in this area! The pilots accomplishing this task deserve applause.
Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten
Your outing to the Maho beach in Saint Martin can be really adventurous with one end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport located in the neighborhood of the beach. The landing takes place at a really low altitude leading to the airplanes giving a closer view to the people enjoying their beach day.
Plane spotters gather at the Maho beach to catch a glimpse of the planes that are about to touchdown! The danger can give a memorable experience too!
Toncontin Airport, Honduras
The stormy and unpleasant weather conditions pose a high-risk to the flights landing at Toncontin Airport in Honduras. The runway is not wide enough as it should be for the planes to have a smooth touchdown. The pilots need a good amount of training and practice to execute a trouble-free landing.
The pilots have to make a steep turn before the airplane touches the ground and believe us when we say, “That is tough”! The location of the airport amid the mountains is one of the major reasons for its “dangerous” labeling.
Saba Airport, Dutch Caribbean
Being categorized under the shortest commercial airport runways in the world, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport located on the island of Saba has always given some chilling experiences to the traveling to this airport. The landing on just 1,312-foot long runway is a tough one!
There are cliffs encompassing the airport and the runway that obstruct the view of the pilot. Also, hills are a major part of that landscape too that contribute to the difficulty here.
This airport has definitely some risks involved!
Narsarsuaq Airport, Greenland
The Narsarsuaq Airport is the only airport that serves international flights in southern Greenland. The risk that puts this airport in this list is the windy weather conditions. There can be sudden turbulence at any moment as when the winds strike this area, they are usually of high intensity. So, the pilots need to take every precautionary measure before landing.
The runway might be long but the winds can call danger any moment! Apart from that, the volcano eruption is hazardous too if it ever happens.
Tioman Airport, Malaysia
Pulau Tioman Airport in Malaysia has a rough terrain that results in the runway being “one way” which means that the airplanes have the same direction to land and take off. We don’t hear about such complications every day but they do exist and this airport is proof.
Visualize this: The airplane is landing and the runway ends with a cliff that submerges into the water. It is terrifying in our imagination! The pilots have to be vigilant for this kind of landing!
Madeira Airport, Portugal
Madeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal is known for the tough time it gives to the pilots while they land the airplane. The runway is constructed with a lot of detail and effort that made it gain the Outstanding Structure Award in 2004.
The pilots who are given the work of flying in this area and touching down at the runway of Madeira Airport are trained specifically to deal with the obstructions here that include gusty winds and mountains on one end. No instrument landing is another issue that makes it dangerous.
Gibraltar International Airport
There is an intersection happening here at the Gibraltar International Airport and that’s something peculiar about this. The Winston Churchill Avenue is connected to the runway and you know what to expect! Those streets are shut down when a landing or a take-off is taking place for obvious reasons.
The danger doesn’t end with this intersection. The sea is an obstacle for the pilots as it has both ends of the runway “covered” and hence, it asks for good control by the pilots!
Telluride Regional Airport
Located in San Miguel County, Colorado, Telluride Regional Airport is elevated at a height of 9,078 feet. Undoubtedly, it is the highest commercial airport in the United States. It is a challenge for the pilots to perform a smooth landing as the runway is on a plateau that dips somewhere in the middle. Not so “smooth”, after all!
The storms might come unannounced when the cold weather is taking over the region and then the turbulence is inevitable. But the experience is worth taking that risk!
Congonhas Airport, Sao Paulo, Brazil
If you ever wish to watch a beautiful cityscape view, then head to Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This airport is located right amidst the buildings that touch the sky and so, the airplanes fly right above them and you can witness some spectacular views!
But everything is not magical with this airport especially if we talk about the runway. It is highly slippery and prone to accidents. There have been a few in the past and the pilots need to be cautious while landing.
Wellington International Airport, New Zealand
There’s water all around the runway that makes for a pretty view but surely not pretty for the pilots who have to be very careful while touching down as the winds can’t be predicted. The turbulence can happen anytime here and they need to be prepared for the worst.
Those storms have done some damage in the past, the reason for the Wellington International Airport to be featured on this list!
Svalbard Airport, Norway
The aspect that makes this airport unique is the construction on permafrost that is the ground below remains at a temperature at or below the freezing point of water. So, the runway needed insulation to avoid melting during the hotter days.
There have been many renovations in the past around this runway as the risks needed to be minimized. Do you wish to land on snow? If yes, then do take a flight that terminates at Svalbard Airport in Norway.
Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport
Skiathos Airport ‘Alexandros Papadiamantis’ is situated on the island of Skiathos in Greece. When you’ll enter the airport, you would know the reason for its presence in this list of “most dangerous airports around the world”. There is a sign warning people to keep away from the aircraft blast. We guess this spoke a lot!
The 5,341-foot runway is really narrow and close to the road taken by the public. This means the airplanes are a common sight for the people passing by that street. As cool as it sounds, there is peril in this case as well. The signboard is significant!
Agatti Aerodrome (AGX), Lakshadweep, India
The union territory of India, Lakshadweep has an airport known as the Agatti Aerodrome that is the only airstrip in this island chain.
Now, let’s see how the runway is challenging here. It is only 4,235 ft. long and if you don’t know, that’s not favorable for the pilots. They need to focus to keep it safe during the landing. There are many contributing factors including the weather that can put some dangers around the flight!
MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan
We couldn’t miss the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma when the entire discussion is about the dangerous airports. This US air station in Okinawa is perilous due to various reasons. One of them being the construction of the runway that is really dangerous as the lack of clear zones makes it difficult for the pilots to land.
The populated area around this station is a risk factor that is a hindrance to a trouble-free touchdown. An attentive eye is required!
Gisborne Airport, New Zealand
Guess what’s unique here! Hint: Trains.
Don’t be baffled on hearing the term “trains” while we are talking about airports and planes. Gisborne Airport in New Zealand is one of the airports that has a railway line intersecting with the runway. That’s true! As weird as it sounds, this is a reality and so, this airport deserved a spot on this list.
To avoid any kind of collision, the schedule is maintained for both the flight and train arrivals. No confusion!
Barra International Airport, Scotland
The Barra International Airport in Scotland airport amazes with its distinctive runway! It’s a beach that is used as the runway where flights land. It is incredible, right? But at the same time, there are risks involved.
The location of this airport on a beach in the bay of Traigh Mhòr that is said to be really shallow makes it highly special and dangerous at the same time. The sea can be really “violent” at times with high tides making it hard for the pilots to accomplish a safe landing.
The pilots need to be alert and aware of the conditions prevailing in the air and in the water to stay safe!
