Top 10 dangerous airports in the world (video)

After I introduced you the airport as a tourist destination, I am going to meet you with 10 special airports around the world.

Dangerous airports in the world

Interesting pictures follow, but don't be scared! I am convinced that these airports are accredited, meet the safety standards and respect the operating conditions, only that they are located in more special places.

Paro Airport - Paro Dzngkha, Bhutan

Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. The airport is located 6 km from Paro, in a deep valley, on the banks of the Paro Chhu River and at an altitude of 2.200 m. It is considered the most challenging airport in the world and only 8 (eight) pilots are certified to land on Paro Airport.

The airport benefits from a single runway 1964 meters long. Landings and take-offs are made only during the daytime, under very good weather conditions.

The challenge comes from the fact that the pilots have to make slalom among the mountains, the airport being surrounded by peaks over 5500 meters. Plus, the plane flies over the city and it's not easy to operate under such conditions.

Courchevel Airport - Rhône-Alpes, France

We also stay in the mountain area and introduce you to Courchevel Altiport - Rhône-Alpes, France. The airport is located in Courchevel - a beautiful and famous ski resort in the French Alps. Due to the very short track, some unevenness, to which we add the mountain area, Courchevel Altiport is not accessible to everyone.

To land at this airport, pilots are additionally trained and receive special operating certificates. Currently, only a few small aircraft and helicopters make their presence felt on the 525 meters runway and with a slope of 18.5%.

Toncontín International Airport - Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The 3 special airport is located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and also in a mountain area. It is located at 6 km from the center of Tegucigalpa.

The airport is special because of the location, the runway with dimensions 2021 m × 45 m (from 2009) and the degree of inclination. The largest aircraft that can land at this airport are from the Boeing 757 family.

Toncontín International Airport was about to close in 2008 when the Airbus A320 TACA, operating the 390 flight, left the runway. The accident resulted in 3 casualties aboard the plane and 2 people on the ground.

It occurred due to piloting errors and the directions of the control tower were not respected. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended that the airport should not be restricted or closed and a report was drawn up that included several tips on operational safety.

Currently, several airlines in North America (Delta Air Lines, America Airlines, United Airlines) and Central (Copa Airlines, Taca Airlines, Sosa Airlines) operate flights to Toncontín International Airport - Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport - Saba, Netherlands Antilles

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport is the only one on the island of Saba, the Netherlands Antilles. The area is a paradise, perfect for any tourist who wants to escape from everyday life. But it's a real adventure to get to this airport.

It is officially closed, but several aircraft belonging to regional carriers operate regular flights with government approval. As you can see, the track is very short - 400 meters and is bordered by a rocky area and the Caribbean Sea.

But I think the main challenge for pilots is the strong wind. I don't think it's worth it to tell you more and I invite you to watch the video below.

Reagan National Airport - Washington DC, USA

Reagan National Airport is 4.8 km from downtown Washington DC. At first glance it looks like an ordinary airport.

It has 3 runways with dimensions between 1497 meters and 2094 meters, and on them land aircraft belonging to American carriers - United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin America, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, etc.

And yet the airport is more special because of its positioning. It is close to important government buildings and there are two areas with flight restrictions. Thus the pilots must fly on a certain well-defined route.

Any deviation from the compulsory route is sanctioned by the US security service and the plane gets to be accompanied by fighter jets. I don't think it's comfortable to see the fighter jet squadron on the window.

Gibraltar International Airport - Gibraltar

At first glance, Gibraltar International Airport is a normal airport, with a runway of 1800 meters and on which we see planes belonging to British operators:

- EasyJet is the largest operator on Gibraltar International. It operates 11 weekly flights to London Gatwick and 3 weekly flights to Liverpool. Both routes are operated by an Airbus A319-200.

- Monarch operates 5 weekly flights to London Luton and 2 weekly flights to Manchester Airport. Both routes are operated by an Airbus A320-200.
- British Airways has daily flights between Gibraltar and London Heathrow that it honors with Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

And yet something makes him special. Winston Churchill Avenue, the busiest road on the peninsula, intersects with the airport runway. For this reason, barriers stop car traffic, whenever a plane takes off or lands. I was amused by the video images!

I did not take into account the fact that the airport runway has its heads in the sea.

Madeira Funchal Airport / Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport - Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Madeira

Madeira Airport, informally known as Funchal Airport and then as Santa Catarina Airport, is an international airport in Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Madeira Islands. The airport is special because it is in the vicinity of high mountains and the ocean, putting even the most experienced pilots to the test.

But not only the location made it special but also the 2,781 m track. Much of it is built on 180 by 70 meters high pillars. The Portuguese engineers deserve all the applause.

Svalbard Airport, Longyear - Svalbard, Norway

Svalbard Airport, Longyear is located 3 km northwest of Longyearbyen and has been approved as the northernmost airport in the world with regular public flights.

The engineers who built it used the region's harsh cold climate to their advantage: the airport runway is built directly on the thick layer of permafrost. But global warming is giving Oslo officials a big headache, as the track begins to warp. The closure of this airport is being considered.

In 2011 over 6300 aircraft movements were reported, and the airport was transited over 125 000 by passengers. The track is 2483 meters long.

Don Muang International Airport - Bangkok, Thailand

Don Muang International Airport is one of the two serving Bangkok, Thailand. It is hub for: Thai AirAsia, Orient Thai Airlines, Nok Air.

It has two tracks of 3500 meters and 3700 meters. In 2010, the airport was transited by about 3 million passengers and there were about 35 aircraft movements - landings and takeoffs.

So far nothing impressive and special. But who had the idea to build a fixed golf course between the airport runways? Plus there is no delimitation system between the golf course and the runway, but players are warned by a red light when an aircraft is preparing to land or take off. How about playing golf and getting on a plane? :)

Congonhas-São Paulo Airport - Sao Paulo, Brazil

The big cities can boast of airports very close, but there are few that have airports a few km from the historical center.

Congonhas-São Paulo Airport is one of the 3 airports serving the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Over 16 millions of passengers go through this airport every year. It is in the middle of a large district of Sao Paulo.

It is especially due to its location between blocks and skyscrapers, and pilots have to make slalom between buildings. I don't even want to think about those who live in the area. Do they always have plugs in their ears?