Have you ever wondered whether dangerous airports existed in the world? If yes, then your doubts will be cleared here. Yes, dangerous airports do exist in the world, which leaves no room for error. Once a pilot commits a mistake while taking off or landing at this airport, a big catastrophe is surely going to occur. That's the reason why only expert pilots will land and take off from the world's top ten deadliest airports. Want to have a look at them?
The history channel - in its episode Most Extreme Airports (2010)-- named the following airports as world's most extreme
Tensing-Hillary Airport: This is also called as Lukla Airport. It's in the town of Lukla in Nepal. The airport is at the place where most trekkers of Mount Everest start their trekking from this place. The climate will not be favourable most of the times for landings. Three flights will be landed at this airport daily and in extreme climate, the flights would either be cancelled or airport would be shut.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first persons to climb Mouth Everest, have developed this airport and therefore it was named after them. The runway at this airport is most short and sloppy in the world. There's no room for error. Any mistake by pilot, will take people right into deep gorge.
Toncontin International Airport: This airport is world's second most dangerous one. It's located in Honduras. Large commercial airlines find it risky to operate flights to this place due to its tricky runway. The runway is just 5442 feet, which will be a real challenge for pilots to land.
Gibraltar Airport: This is another dangerous airport for pilots. And it's one of the unusual airports that world would never see again. Parts of airport's runway are interlinked with roadways. In fact, the road between Spain and Gibraltar crosses the runway. So, whenever a flight has to take off or land, traffic on the road would be halted. Strange right? That's the reason why tourists visiting Spain make it a point to visit this airport.
Princess Juliana International Airport: Princess Juliana International Airport will give you an opportunity to wave hands at the people from your windows while the flight will be ready to land. Located beyond Carribean Island's Maho beach, this airport is one the deadliest airports. If you want to spend some peaceful time on beach, Maho beach is not an ideal one unless you have a set of ear plugs.
Gustaf III Aiport:This airport is also called as Saint Barthelemy Airport, which is located at St. Jean village in Carribean Island. There's a very short runway here where large air crafts can't land. A small aircraft, which operates daily will carry just 20 passengers. There's a beach adjacent to the runway and this airport is one of tourist destinations.
Kai Tak Airport: Kaitak Airport is in Hong Kong and is one of the most unusual airports of the world. You can see in the photo as to how the people standing on a bridge are taking the photographs of the flight while it's landing. Its the only runway in the world, which runs into a harbour (Victoria harbour).
Courchevel Airport: Did you watch Tomorrow Never Dies movie? If yes, then this airport is familiar to you as Pierce Brosnan landed at this airport as a part of the opening scene of the movie. Located in France, Courchevel Airport demands most experienced pilots since the runway is quite tricky and has a mirror image. It's the only uphill runway with a vertical drop at one end. The runway length is just 1722 feet.
Eagle County Regional Airport: Located in Gypsum of Colorado of US, Eagle County Regional Airport is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The runaway is just 9000 feet even after renovation. There are mountainous terrains around this airport, which makes a pilot to be extra cautious while landing.
Madeira Airport: This ninth most extreme airport is located in Portuguese Azores. This airport is surrounded by mountains and ocean. It's the second most dangerous airport in Europe. The original runway was 1600 metres but it was later extended by 200 metres.
San Diego International Airport: This is located at San Diego, CA. The airport is surrounded by ocean. Even most experienced pilots complained that this runway was tricky. There's just one runway at this airport.
So, are you now planning to visit these airports just to see flights land and take off? Well, most of these airports drag tourists from different parts of the world due to their risky runways.
(AW Phani)
