Six of the world's most dangerous airports...Only eight pilots are eligible to land?
Jun 23, 2025
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According to the British media Daily Mail, the social media channel '@spreadingeo' that deals with geographic and climate-related content recently announced '6 dangerous airports in the world'.
Only a small number of skilled pilots were found to have been licensed to land, some of them due to extreme topography and weather conditions.
First place was Nepal's Lukla Airport, also known as the 'Tenzing-Hillary Airport'.
Located 2,400 meters above sea level in the middle of the Himalayas, the airport is surrounded by cliffs and rugged mountains that are more than 5,500 meters around, and the runway is only 527 meters long. The slope is 11.7 degrees and the end of the runway is a cliff. On landing, the pilot has to zigzag between numerous hillside villages, with some passing just meters from the roof of the house, the Daily Mail explained.
It can only be operated under the condition of 'VFR' when the pilot flies while checking the terrain and obstacles with his eyes, and the flight is completely stopped in fog or dark weather. It is also referred to as the 'Runway of Hell' due to strong valley winds and turbulence, and only eight pilots in the world are said to be eligible to land.
Ranked second on the 'Dangerous Airport' list is TongContin Airport, located near the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.
There is a mountain right in front of the runway, so you have to make a 45 degree sharp turn just before landing. Even experienced pilots describe it as `surviving, not landing at the Tonkin airport.'
In 2011, a Central Airways aircraft crashed during landing, killing 14 people.
Third place is Madeira Airport, located on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
Although famous for its beautiful natural scenery, the airport is notorious for its extreme crosswinds and narrow runways.
Some of the runways are constructed as artificial structures on the sea, and special weather conditions and additional pilot training are required to land. In 2003, an aircraft from here crashed, killing 10 pilots and passengers.
France's Courchevel Altiport Airport was ranked fourth.
The airport, which connects ski resorts in the French Alps, can only operate small aircraft and helicopters, and the runway is above the slope, requiring an upward slope to enter upon landing. There are no lights and instruments, and about 70% of the year is covered with snow and ice, so there is a high risk of accidents.
In August 2021, an aircraft crash also killed one person.
In fifth place is Paro Airport, Bhutan's only international airport completely surrounded by the Himalayas. When landing, you must fly between narrow valleys without radar, and because of this, only 17 pilots are eligible to land. Only certain times are allowed to land during windy seasons.
Sixth place is Caucus Islands Airport in Sydney, Australia. This place was also selected as a 'dangerous airport' due to nearby strong winds and narrow runways.
Foreign media say that landing at these six airports is not just a flight technique, but requires a high degree of concentration, special training, and sometimes even 'courage'.
Aviation experts said "In these airports, every moment is a test of the pilot's experience and cool judgment."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
