Most Dangerous Airports around the World

1. Svalboard Airport, Longyear

Svalboard Airport – the northernmost airport in world

Welcome to Svalboard Airport, Norway- the northernmost airport in the world that services public flights. We cannot, for the life of us, think of any reason you would want to go there- unless of course, you have to go to any place that man can set foot on. Svalboard is all ice and snow. As you land on this runway that has been built using permafrost, you can see nothing but shifting ice on the water and piles of snow. The airport is dangerous not only because of the slippery nature of the runway, but also because due to climactic conditions the runway becomes uneven from time to time, making landing pretty challenging.

2. Gibraltar airport, Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory

Gibraltar airport – a tiny airport built during World War II

Here is a runway that you wouldn’t recognize unless you actually see a plane landing or taking off. Reason, being the runway is so tiny that it actually uses part of a busy street.

Gibraltar is a British territory lodged between Morocco and Spain. The tiny airport was built during WW II, and continues to serve daily commercial flights as well as the Royal Air Force of UK. The airstrip cuts Gibraltar’s busiest road, Winston Churchill Avenue at a perpendicular. Crossing gates hold back cars on the road, when a plane lands or takes off, much like a railroad.

3. Juancho E Yrausquin, Saba, Netherlands

Juancho – the shortest commercial runway in the world.

At only 1300 feet, Juancho has the shortest commercial runway in the world. However, being the only airport in Saba it fulfills a critical role in the lives of the people living here. No wonder, only small planes like DHC-6, BN-2, and helicopters land here. One small error, and the plane may actually land in water instead of on land. The airport is a major challenge even for skilled pilots.

This should not deter you, however, from visiting this Caribbean island, the natural beauty of which is enough temptation to overcome the fear of a bad landing.

4. Courchevel International Airport, Courchevel, France

Courchevel International Airport – The acid test for pilots

The acid test for pilots- the Courchevel Airport has a hill located bang in the middle of the 1700-foot runway. Courchevel is a famous ski resort, but getting to this place is no mean feat. The French Alps, though picturesque, can be a real challenge for any pilot who is trying to land his flight at the Courchevel International Airport. This is because any flight to Courchevel needs to pass over the French Alps. The trials do not end here. When a flight takes off from Courchevel, it takes off downhill, while the touchdown is uphill!

5. Princess Juliana International Airport, Simpson Bay, Saint Maarten

Princess Juliana International Airport is located right next to a tourist beach

This airport is right next to a tourist beach. In this unique case, the onlookers and not the flight inmates, are at risk. The plane has to hover dangerously close to a busy beach and an even busier road just before landing. People on the beach are at risk of hearing loss when the plane flies down with tremendous noise. At most risk, are people and trucks on the road, who may be blown away by strong jet blast.

If reading about these 5 dangerous airstrips, has fired you up and you are all raring to make that leap of faith, then perhaps you can plan an excursion to the Himalayas.

Lukla Airport, Nepal

Lukla Airport - A recipe for Mishap

The airport at Lukla, Nepal has topped the list of most dangerous airports in a recent survey by History channel. Lukla serves as the base town from where trekkers to the Himalaya start off. Naturally, the airport in Lukla sees a lot of traffic. Given its perilous conditions, it sees a lot of fatalities, as well.

The airport is a recipe for mishap. At an altitude of 2900 meters, the Luka airport has a small 2000-foot runway that has a mountain at one end and a cliff at the other. You land uphill, and take off downhill. Only helicopters and Twin Otters can land here. It has been renamed the Tenzing Hillary Airport after the famous mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.