โGeographical location, runway length, weather conditions, or a combination of these factors contribute to making certain airports home to some of the most challenging runways globally. In this blog, we'll explore airports with runways that test the skills of even the most experienced pilots.
1. Lukla Airport (Nepal)
Lukla Airport is famously known as the world's most dangerous airport. Serving as the gateway to Mount Everest, this airport features a runway surrounded by steep Himalayan mountains on both sides. With a length of just 460 meters and a 12% incline, planes must brake in time to avoid sliding off the edge.
2. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Saba)
Situated at the edge of Saba Island, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport boasts one of the world's shortest runways at 400 meters. Its location amid high hills and steep cliffs makes landing even trickier, especially with strong gusts of wind. If an aircraft overshoots the runway, it plummets 60 meters into the sea.
3. Paro Airport (Bhutan)
Nestled in the Paro Valley at an elevation of 2,200 meters, Paro Airport is surrounded by 5,000-meter-high Himalayan peaks. It's considered one of the most challenging runways due to its altitude and terrain. Only the local airline, Druk Air, operates here, and only a few qualified pilots are allowed to land. Landings are permitted only during daylight hours and clear weather.
4. Princess Juliana International Airport (St. Maarten)
Princess Juliana International Airport, located in the Caribbean on St. Maarten, has an extended runway but is famous for its proximity to Maho Beach. Planes land and take off right over the beach, creating a unique experience for tourists and aviation enthusiasts. The 2,000-meter runway is primarily suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft, yet occasionally even jumbo jets use this airport.
5. Courchevel Airport (France)
Nestled in the French Alps, Courchevel Airport features a runway with a remarkable 18.5% gradient and spans only 537 meters. This combination of short length and steep incline earns it a spot among the world's shortest and steepest runways. The airport gained fame as a filming location for the James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies."
