Air travel has, no doubt, become the most convenient and fastest mode of travel, yet there are a large number of perils associated with it. We hear of a number of air crashes every year and there are some airports in different parts of the world, which are notorious for their dangerous landings.
Here is a list of 10 most dangerous airport landings in the world:
10.Toncontin International Airport, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa is situated in the midst of dangerous mountain terrain, at an altitude of 3294 feet above sea level. Additionally, the runway is extremely short measuring just 2163 m, which makes it even more perilous for landing. To make the matters worse, it is also plagued by uncertain winds.
9.Saba Airport
Saba Airport, which is located near St Maarten, has the shortest commercial airport runway in the world, just 400 m in length. It has high hills on one side along with a cliff drop at its end. Only expert pilots can venture on this short and dangerous strip t make a perfect landing.
8.Courchevel International Airport, France
Next on the list of most dangerous airport landings in the world is that of Courchevel International Airport in France, which has a runway which is just 525 m long. Planes have to be navigated in the Alps before making a touchdown here, for which pilots also have to manipulate inclined angles for safe landing.
7.La Guardia Airport, New York City, USA
La Guardia Airport in New York City poses quite a big challenge for even expert pilots while making a landing, because it has the busy JFK and Newark Airports in close vicinity. Also, the runway glides over Flushing and Bowery Bays, besides being just 8 miles from Manhattan.
6.Gustaf III Airport, St Barthelemy
Next on this list is the famous Gustaf III Airport, also known as St Jean Airport, which can make way for only small aircrafts, with a maximum capacity of just 20 passengers. The runway ends on a beach, with planes making their way right over the heads of the relaxing tourists.
5.Ice Runway, Antarctica
Another dangerous airport landing in the world is the Ice Runway in Canada, which is covered with snow and ice making it a slippery landing. There are chances of planes getting stuck in the snow or slipping due to cracking of ice on the runway.
4.Wellington International Airport, New Zealand
Landing at the famous Wellington Airport in New Zealand can be a thrilling and blood chilling experience as it seems to start as well as end in deep blue waters. The runway is single and short, measuring 6351 feet in length, which makes it one of the most dangerous airport landings in the world.
3.Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong
Featuring next on the list of top 10 most dangerous airport landings in the world is the Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, where pilots face major landing challenges like strong crosswinds and dangerous mountain terrain surrounding the airport. As a result, pilots are given a word of caution before attempting a landing or take off here.
2.Gibraltar International Airport, Gibraltar
Another scary landing is that of Gibraltar International Airport, a civilian airport in Gibraltar. The cuts through Winston Churchill Avenue, a road on the border of Spain and traffic has to be stopped here at the time of landing or take off.
1.Lukla Airport, Nepal
Lukla Airport or Tenzing Hillary Airport in Nepal has one of the most dangerous landings in the world. Situated at an altitude of 8000 feet, the airport also has a very short runway along with minimalistic air traffic control, which accounts for its danger. The place also suffers from lack of proper lighting and regular electrical supply.
Some other world airports which feature dangerous landings are Paro Airport in Bhutan, Madeira Airport in Portugal, Barra International Airport in Scotland and Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet.