10 Most Challenging airports in the World 2022

An airport is a facility that serves as a hub for the movement of people, goods, and aircraft. It typically consists of one or more runways for planes to take off and land, a terminal building for passengers to check in and wait for their flights, and various other buildings and facilities for maintenance, security, and support services.

Airports are classified by the type of aircraft that they can accommodate and the services that they provide. For example, a small general aviation airport may only have a single runway and a small terminal building, while a large international airport may have multiple runways, multiple terminal buildings, and a wide range of amenities and services for passengers.

In addition to serving as a hub for air travel, airports can also be important economic engines for the communities that they serve. They often generate significant employment and economic activity through the operation of the airport and the businesses that locate there.

There are many airports that are considered challenging for pilots due to their unique location, terrain, or weather conditions. Here are 10 examples of challenging airports that may be of interest:

1. Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla, Nepal) - Located at an elevation of 9,334 feet in the Himalayas, this airport has a short runway and is often affected by fog and strong crosswinds.

2. Princess Juliana International Airport (St. Maarten) - This airport is known for its low approach over a beach and a roadway, requiring pilots to descend rapidly to land.

3. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Saba, Netherlands Antilles) - This airport has the shortest runway in the world at just 1,312 feet long, making it challenging for pilots to land and take off.

4. Gustaf III Airport (St. Barthélemy, French West Indies) - This airport has a steep approach and a short runway, requiring pilots to make a sharp turn to land.

5. Donegal Airport (Carrickfinn, Ireland) - Located on a peninsula, this airport has a short runway and is often affected by strong crosswinds and poor visibility.

6. Gibraltar International Airport (Gibraltar) - This airport is located on a narrow peninsula, requiring pilots to make a sharp turn to land. It also has a busy roadway that crosses the runway.

7. Queenstown Airport (Queenstown, New Zealand) - Located in a valley surrounded by mountains, this airport has a short runway and is often affected by strong crosswinds.

8. McMurdo Station Airport (Antarctica) - This airport is located on an ice runway, which can be challenging for pilots to land on due to its slippery surface.

9. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (Aspen, Colorado, USA) - Located at an elevation of 7,820 feet, this airport has a short runway and is surrounded by mountains, making it challenging for pilots to land and take off.

10. Paro Airport (Paro, Bhutan) - Located in the Himalayas, this airport has a short runway and is surrounded by mountains, making it challenging for pilots to land and take off. It is also affected by strong crosswinds and poor visibility.

It is important to note that these airports have trained pilots and equipment specifically designed to handle these challenging conditions, and they operate safely with proper procedures in place.