What are some of the world’s most dangerous airports, and what makes them that way? I’ve been on some hairy landings in my time, but I’m sure there have to be worse out there.
Forget that trip to go ride some roller coaster — make part of the trip the roller coaster.
Even though passenger flight has been a reality for almost 100 years now and commercial aviation, per distance traveled, is the safest form of transportation on Earth, there’s still a few wild and wooly airports out there.
And while some of them are found at the edges of the Earth, some of them are a little closer to home and more popular than you might think.
The list
The complete list of the world’s ten most extreme airports, according to the History Channel, follows — with my additional commentary and some video links:
Though seemingly in the middle of nowhere, Lukla is not only the most dangerous airport in the world, but a somewhat popular one. You see, Lukla is the stepping off point for those headed to climb Mt. Everest. So what makes it so dangerous? Well, the 9,100ft elevation combined with the short 1,500ft runway that has a 12% gradient makes for a bit of a challenge. Add in the terrain which makes a successful go-around impossible (meaning you either get the landing right the first time — or you crash), and this lofty airport’s lofty status is well earned.
Though tamed somewhat from its former nasty self, Toncontín still presents a formidable approach for even the most skilled pilot. Surrounded by mountains, planes take a corkscrew approach to this short 6,631ft runway at a healthy 3,297ft of elevation. At times on approach, passengers can practically see into houses along the way and the landing gear comes within feet of the surrouding terrain — though a large portion of the hillside pictured in the second video was literally bulldozed away for safety’s sake in 2007.
Gibraltar makes the list for one simple, yet fascinating reason — the only road that connects Gibraltar with the mainland of Spain runs across the runway. You heard me. Every time a plane lands or departs, traffic stops just like when a train passes through a railroad crossing. And you thought your commute was interesting.
You may not recognize the name, but one glance at any one of the iconic videos or photos of landings at Princess Juliana International on St Maarten will tell you all you need to know about why this airport makes the list. (See the photo at the top of this answer for an example.) And if you think the landings are scary, the departures are even more hairy — a steep takeoff and a hard turn to avoid the mountains past the other end of the runway.
Gustaf III Airport (SBH), aka St. Jean Airport, Saint Jean, Saint Barthélemy (Saint Barts)
Colloquially known as “Saint Barts,” Gustaf III Airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy has quite possibly the most pucker-inducing landings of any modern airport. The small prop planes that serve the island have to literally dive down to the runway over the hillside that juts above the end of it. Sunbathers are warned not to lie directly under the flightpath, and no wonder — you could literally reach out and grab the landing gear as the planes pass over you.
Though it closed in July 1998 and was replaced by Hong Kong International Airport, Kai Tak is still absolutely legendary years after its closure for its risky and dramatic approaches. Landings on runway 13 were world famous due to the nearby terrain and completely ridiculous crosswinds, which caused planes to land literally sideways. Even the mighty 747 was not immune to the sketchy approach.
Serving the Courchevel ski area in France, this extreme mountain airport sits at 6,588ft elevation, sports a runway only 1,722ft long, and has a gradient of over 18%. There is no go-around procedure on landing, so pilots have to get it exactly right the first time. There is no possible way that words can do this airport any justice whatsoever — see it for yourself.
During Colorado’s ski season, Eagle County Regional becomes the second busiest airport in the state, after Denver International. The combination of rugged surrounding terrain, an altitude of over 6,500ft, and the winter weather make this airport a beautiful challenge to fly in and out of. And landings aren’t the only fun part — on takeoff, even the big commercial 757s have to make a hard left to avoid the town of Gypsum and the surrounding hills.
Madeira Airport (FNC), aka Funchal Airport & Santa Catarina Airport, Madeira, Portugal
Sometimes referred to as the “Kai Tak of Europe,” Madeira Airport certainly deserves the moniker. Crazy crosswinds, a singular approach, and the added bonus of being right out over the water make for a hair-raising time on approach and landing.
Lindbergh Field is the busiest single-runway airport in the entire world, and one of the most interesting approaches in the world, too. Speaking from experience, it seems as if you can look into people’s living rooms as you come in over Golden Hill and see what they’re watching on TV. While it’s not quite that close, it’s still close enough. Normally arrivals come from the east and departures leave to the west, but when visibility drops below 2 miles, both departures and arrivals are done from the west — making for a challenging day for the air traffic controllers, and earning SAN the final spot on the list.
Who needs thrill rides?
Forget that trip to go ride some roller coaster — make part of the trip the roller coaster.
Even though passenger flight has been a reality for almost 100 years now and commercial aviation, per distance traveled, is the safest form of transportation on Earth, there’s still a few wild and wooly airports out there.
And while some of them are found at the edges of the Earth, some of them are a little closer to home and more popular than you might think.
The list
The complete list of the world’s ten most extreme airports, according to the History Channel, follows — with my additional commentary and some video links:
Though seemingly in the middle of nowhere, Lukla is not only the most dangerous airport in the world, but a somewhat popular one. You see, Lukla is the stepping off point for those headed to climb Mt. Everest. So what makes it so dangerous? Well, the 9,100ft elevation combined with the short 1,500ft runway that has a 12% gradient makes for a bit of a challenge. Add in the terrain which makes a successful go-around impossible (meaning you either get the landing right the first time — or you crash), and this lofty airport’s lofty status is well earned.
Though tamed somewhat from its former nasty self, Toncontín still presents a formidable approach for even the most skilled pilot. Surrounded by mountains, planes take a corkscrew approach to this short 6,631ft runway at a healthy 3,297ft of elevation. At times on approach, passengers can practically see into houses along the way and the landing gear comes within feet of the surrouding terrain — though a large portion of the hillside pictured in the second video was literally bulldozed away for safety’s sake in 2007.
Gibraltar makes the list for one simple, yet fascinating reason — the only road that connects Gibraltar with the mainland of Spain runs across the runway. You heard me. Every time a plane lands or departs, traffic stops just like when a train passes through a railroad crossing. And you thought your commute was interesting.
You may not recognize the name, but one glance at any one of the iconic videos or photos of landings at Princess Juliana International on St Maarten will tell you all you need to know about why this airport makes the list. (See the photo at the top of this answer for an example.) And if you think the landings are scary, the departures are even more hairy — a steep takeoff and a hard turn to avoid the mountains past the other end of the runway.
Colloquially known as “Saint Barts,” Gustaf III Airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy has quite possibly the most pucker-inducing landings of any modern airport. The small prop planes that serve the island have to literally dive down to the runway over the hillside that juts above the end of it. Sunbathers are warned not to lie directly under the flightpath, and no wonder — you could literally reach out and grab the landing gear as the planes pass over you.
Though it closed in July 1998 and was replaced by Hong Kong International Airport, Kai Tak is still absolutely legendary years after its closure for its risky and dramatic approaches. Landings on runway 13 were world famous due to the nearby terrain and completely ridiculous crosswinds, which caused planes to land literally sideways. Even the mighty 747 was not immune to the sketchy approach.
Serving the Courchevel ski area in France, this extreme mountain airport sits at 6,588ft elevation, sports a runway only 1,722ft long, and has a gradient of over 18%. There is no go-around procedure on landing, so pilots have to get it exactly right the first time. There is no possible way that words can do this airport any justice whatsoever — see it for yourself.
During Colorado’s ski season, Eagle County Regional becomes the second busiest airport in the state, after Denver International. The combination of rugged surrounding terrain, an altitude of over 6,500ft, and the winter weather make this airport a beautiful challenge to fly in and out of. And landings aren’t the only fun part — on takeoff, even the big commercial 757s have to make a hard left to avoid the town of Gypsum and the surrounding hills.
Sometimes referred to as the “Kai Tak of Europe,” Madeira Airport certainly deserves the moniker. Crazy crosswinds, a singular approach, and the added bonus of being right out over the water make for a hair-raising time on approach and landing.
Lindbergh Field is the busiest single-runway airport in the entire world, and one of the most interesting approaches in the world, too. Speaking from experience, it seems as if you can look into people’s living rooms as you come in over Golden Hill and see what they’re watching on TV. While it’s not quite that close, it’s still close enough. Normally arrivals come from the east and departures leave to the west, but when visibility drops below 2 miles, both departures and arrivals are done from the west — making for a challenging day for the air traffic controllers, and earning SAN the final spot on the list.
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