Top 7 Most Dangerous Airports In The World
Air travel - it's said to be the absolute safest form of transportation.
Still, many individuals suffer from a crippling fear of flying - and we have to admit, while
the anxiety is mostly unfounded, there are definitely a few select things to be a little
afraid of.
However, when one buys a ticket and boards a plane - they expect complete safety.
The plane should be in good mechanically-working order and the strip of land dedicated to getting
the multi-ton sky-bird up and into the air is built for a completely smooth experience.
Well - most of the time, they are - but today, let's take a look at seven of the most dangerous
runways to ever exist.
You won't believe some of the crazy ways planes take off and come back down.
We think we'll just walk.
Number seven - the Toncontin Airport.
The Toncontin Airport - located four miles from the center of Tegucigalpa, Honduras - is
both a civil and military airport.
Forcing pilots to navigate the mountain-clad landscape of the region - Toncontin has more
than just a few bad things going for it.
First, it's situated in a valley 3,294 feet (or 1,004 meters) above sea level - forcing
pilots to make daring 45-degree banks to properly reach the 7,000 foot runway, often battling
vicious winds and a multitude of split-second decisions.
Regarded by many as not only one of the most dangerous runways - but airports - altogether,
with severely inclement weather conditions ensuring a terrifying experience for both
pilot and passengers alike.
Number six - the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport.
The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (commonly referred to as the Saba airport) is a tiny
little facility located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba.
Named after the Aruban Minister Juancho Irausquin - this public airport sports one of the shortest
commercial runways in the entire world - with a jaw-droopingly tiny stretch measuring only
1,312 feet (or 400 meters) long.
Since the runway is so exceedingly short, jets are unable to land here - however, STOL
airplanes and helicopters are frequent sights at the terminal.
With high hills flanking the area and cliffs located at both sides that plunge into the
sea below - the lack of air traffic control and aviation fuel makes this a slightly ...scary
stop.
Number five - the Wellington International Airport.
Formerly known as Rongotai Airport, the Wellington International Airport - located in the suburb
of Rongotai, the capital city of New Zealand - is the third busiest airport in the country
- with major links to cities in eastern Australia.
However, popularity and passengers aside, this water-surrounded airport has a nasty
reputation for severely tough and turbulent landings.
The bigger the aircraft - the worse the ride, due to the channelling effect of the Cook
Strait creating strong and gusty winds that toss and tumble any planes daring enough to
brave it.
The single, short, 6,351 foot runway both starts and stops in the icy blue waters located
on either side.
We recommend a few Dramamine (or something stronger) before the trip.
Number four - the Tenzing–Hillary Airport.
This small airport - located in the town of Lukla in eastern Nepal - has been referred
to as one of the most absolute dangerous airports in the world numerous times (including by
The History Channel in 2010).
Also known as Lukla Airport, it sits in the popular place where most people begin their
voyage up to the equally daunting Mount Everest Base Camp.
Operating at a breathtaking altitude of over 8,000 feet, this somewhat makeshift facility
lacks modern air traffic control, lights and even sufficient electrical power to boot.
The paved asphalt runway is accessible only to helicopters and small, fixed-wing aircrafts.
Just one more reason why Mount Everest is NOT for sissies.
Number three - the Princess Juliana International Airport.
You don't have to be a pilot (or even a passenger) to be a little scared of this one - the Princess
Juliana International Airport (also known as the Saint Maarten International Airport)
is located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean.
Serving as a hub for both the Windward Islands Airways and the smaller Leeward Islands - the
most notable thing about this tropical airport is the way planes make insane low-altitude
flyover landings over the beach (and beach bums) below.
Peppered with signs warning people about the dangers of air blasts and sporting extremely
dangerous conditions for pilots - it's certainly a sight to see.
However, despite many underwear-ruining close calls, no major incidents have occurred.
Yet.
Number two - the Ice Runway.
Antartica is cold.
We mean - REALLY cold.
Located in close proximity to McMurdo Station, the Ice Runway is used as the principal runway
for the US Antarctic Program during the summer field season, with temperatures fluctuating
anywhere between a beyond frigid negative 60 and a still-numbing positive 30 degrees
Fahrenheit.
As the name implies, the runway is comprised entirely out of ice - carefully manicured
and only able to be used for a short period of time.
The sea-ice runway is constructed at the start of each season, and is used until early December
when the ice begins to crack and break apart.
Although the weather and conditions are absolutely mental - only a few minor incidents have ever
been reported to have happened.
Number one - the Paro Airport.
Universally agreed upon to be the most dangerous airport in the entire world - the Paro Airport,
located in a deep valley on the bank of the Paro Chhu River - is the sole international
airport of Bhutan - with less than 8 pilots certified to land on this extremely challenging
and perilous runway.
Located a mile and half above sea level and surrounded by sharp, jagged mountain peaks
in excess of 18,000 feet, this panic-inducing airport takes the thrill of the Himalayas
and multiples it in eye-bulging levels.
Because of the ridiculously inconvenient landscape, flights to AND from Para are allowed under
visual meteorological conditions only, restricted to white-knuckle takeoffs and landings ONLY
between sunrise-to-sunset.
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