7 airports where pilots have the most difficulty landing and taking off: what's wrong with them

Landing and taking off an airplane is one of the most difficult tasks for pilots, but a clearly marked runway, a spacious tarmac, and skilled professionals make this process almost invisible to passengers. However, in some countries, airports are located in mountainous terrain or have limited space, so the task for the crew can become more complicated.

Weather conditions also play an important role, as pilots are often let down in some destinations. Insider writes about 7 airports that can be more dangerous than others.

Barra Airport in Scotland

Barra Island has only a control tower and a small terminal, but no paved landing strip. Because of this, planes have to land on the sand, which requires extreme concentration and considerable experience.

Paro International Airport in Bhutan

In a small town of about 15 thousand people, there is a very difficult airport with only two flights. Due to the steep 45-degree turn, short runway, and lack of radar systems, landing in Paro is very difficult.

Juancho E Irauskin Airport in the Caribbean

The world's shortest commercial runway is located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba. The limited length does not give aircraft enough time to accelerate, making takeoff extremely difficult.

Courchevel International Airport in the French Alps

Winter sports fans might not realize how difficult it is for pilots to land in Courchevel. Despite the fact that tens of thousands of tourists vacation here every year, no large and well-equipped airport has been built in the mountains. Because of this, pilots can only fly under favorable weather conditions, descending and ascending at a very significant incline.

Toncontin International Airport in Honduras

Toncontin is located in the mountains, so pilots have to maneuver between slopes and trees to get passengers to their destination.

Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten

The difficulty of flying to St. Maarten is that the runway starts right behind a crowded beach. Pilots have to fly extremely carefully so as not to descend earlier than necessary. A small mistake can cause a disaster.

Tenzing Hillary Airport (Lukla Airport) in Nepal

Travelers heading to Everest are likely to fly here. Your pilots will have to zigzag between the peaks while trying to get down to the runway. Changing weather conditions can make the situation much worse.