Buzz
Short runways, terrain close to water, or perched on mountain peaks are reasons why the following airports attract thrill-seeking adventurers.
1. Tenzing – Hillary Airport, Nepal
Tenzing – Hillary Airport, Lukla, Nepal is situated in the town of Lukla, East Nepal. Voted as one of the most dangerous airports globally due to the unpredictable weather with strong winds, cloud cover, rain, and unstable visibility. Despite the hazardous flying conditions, this airport remains popular as it serves as a gateway for those passionate about conquering Mount Everest. Upon landing, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of mist-covered mountain peaks. The airport is heavily guarded by the police.
2. Gibraltar International Airport, Iberian Peninsula
Gibraltar Airport, also known as North Front Airport, is a civilian airport located in Gibraltar (a British Overseas Territory), a small peninsula with an area of about 6.8 km2. The lack of flat space in Gibraltar forces the single runway to intersect with a road used by vehicles. To ensure planes can land without colliding with cars crossing the road, the traffic is halted approximately 10 minutes before planes prepare to land. Fortunately, Gibraltar is not a bustling airport, handling only about 30 flights per week, all to and from the United Kingdom.
3. Paro Airport, Bhutan
Paro is Bhutan's only international airport, nestled deep in a valley surrounded by towering 5,500m-high mountain peaks and alongside the Paro Chhu River. It stands as one of the world's most perilous airports. Pilots must hold special certifications to take off or land here. Due to treacherous terrain, flights are only permitted during daylight hours.
4. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten Island, Netherlands
Princess Juliana Airport boasts a runway extremely close to the beach, where planes skim over sunbathers when landing. However, this feature is an attraction for passengers, particularly photographers. Crossing over water before landing poses challenges for pilots in maintaining altitude orientation. Taking off from this runway is also risky, navigating around surrounding mountains. Nevertheless, it remains one of the busiest airports in the region.
5. Courchevel Airport, France
Courchevel Airport gained fame for its appearance in the James Bond film, “Tomorrow Never Dies.” Unlike its luxurious resorts, the airport has a short runway ascending and descending with the natural contours of the Alps. The runway, usually covered in snow and ice, adds an extra layer of danger to landings.
According to Traveltimes.vn
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourMarch 23, 2015
