The Most Challenging Airports To Fly In And Out Of

White Knuckle airports! Simple Flying ranked some of the scariest airports on Earth. Due to its geographic locations, frequent inclement weather, or a combination of both. Here are 10 airports that sometimes can offer you a wild ride- And a special bonus airport! (Saba, the world’s shortest runaway)

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VOA by: Matthew Dalton
Editing by: Leo Guerchmann

[MadeiraAirport]

Thanks for giving credits on my video, 99% do not credit :)

[Dave_Sisson]

I'm surprised St Helena didn't make the grade. The wind shear is supposed to be formidable.

[steinwaldmadchen]

I'd say the closed Kai Tak Airport was also very challenging in many sense. While terrains, building, extreme weather and the 13 approach are difficult, its unique that majority of the aircraft are heavy widebodies like 747, and up to 38 aircraft arrive or depart the airport using a single 3390m runway only.

[vhperches]

I have flown into and out of Congonhas and Santos Dumont... Quite a nice experience! Recommend checking out the live cameras from those airports here in Youtube, they´re up 24/7!

[avishekkandel]

What about Nepals Tribhuwan International Airport? Pilots have to perform several special step down approach to land there. Because of the steep trrain and Mountains surrounding the airport only special trained and experienced pilots are allowed to land.

[landocalrisian]

😂 never heard Potomac pronounced quit like that.

[Ducky]

I'm surprised San Diego Lindbergh Field didn't make this list. I grew up under it's flight path, and my dad worked there. Saw a lot of go arounds due to weather, and visibility. Visibility was typically an issue due to fog that wouldn't go away because it is located in between hills, earning it the nick name of "Shoe Box". Not to forget the large parking garage directly at one end of the runway (along with Balboa Park on top of the hill), and a High School on top of the other hill.

[brianhedges]

Possibly Gibraltar should be on the list

[johndoyle]

Thanks, I have landed at Lukla 4 times now, and that is enough risk for me. First two times were when it was a dirt strip, and you could hear stones being thrown up and hitting the fuselage, meanwhile a big dust cloud would cover the nearby lodges.
The twin Otter seems designed for this landing.

[robertbalazslorincz]

"Heavy and oversized jets can not land at Courchevel due to it's uphill gradient, steep approach, and the 'no go around' procedure."
Microsoft Flight Simulator pilots: *no*

[carlitoon]

I remember having a really rough landing going to touchdown at Washington Reagan airport... and that takeoff felt overwhelming when I was flying out of there

[ItsAndyAntonio]

St. Baths airport in the Caribbean should've made the list as well.

[scpatlnow]

Actually, DC National isn't in DC. It is in Arlington, Virginia

[KOUKAROS-GR]

Greek islands are also very difficult airports

[JDFloyd]

In prior life I was a U.S. Naval Aviator - a NFO - and I had hundreds of white-knuckle landings. However, on this list, I have only landed at Wellington, and yes is very strong winds. This written however, I would have liked to have landed at Kai Tak Airport.

[karann]

We definitely need a Part-2 of this version !!

[Radicalist-Manifesto]

I've flown into and out of Paro! And I absolutely loved 😀

[ebarteldes]

Santos Dumont and Congonhas are scary as hell... But Santos Dumont takes the cake. From Sugarloaf you can almost see the pilots inside the cockpits as the planes turn

[larryblanks]

How about doing Lindberg Field San Diego talk about flyin low over buildings "SHEW"!!

[PhillipHoeflinger]

The Innsbruck Airport is a very challeging one as well.