One of the most famous airports in the world, Princess Juliana International Airport is known for its incredibly low landings. The runway is next to Maho Beach, and planes fly just a few meters above tourists’ heads.
Watching massive jets coming in for a landing so close to the beachgoers is thrilling and terrifying.
Gibraltar Airport (Gibraltar)
This airport has a unique feature—its runway crosses a main road! Winston Churchill Avenue, the busiest road in Gibraltar, actually runs right through the airport’s runway. Every time a plane takes off or lands, traffic has to be stopped, just like at a railway crossing.
Courchevel Airport (France)
Located in the French Alps, Courchevel Airport is one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
It has a very short runway (only 537 meters long) and is built on a steep incline. Pilots must be highly skilled to land here; if they make a mistake, there is no go-around option.
Paro Airport (Bhutan)
Surrounded by the towering Himalayas, Paro International Airport is one of the most challenging airports for pilots. Only a few pilots in the world are certified to land here. With strong winds and a narrow valley approach, landing at Paro is an unforgettable experience.
McMurdo Station Airport (Antarctica)
This airport is unusual because it is located in one of the coldest places on Earth.
The runways are made entirely of ice, and planes must be specially equipped to land on slippery surfaces. Extreme weather conditions and strong winds make this airport one of the most difficult to use.
Kansai Airport (Japan)
Kansai International Airport is an engineering marvel built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay.
However, the airport has been sinking since it was built, requiring constant adjustments and repairs. It is also vulnerable to tsunamis and earthquakes, making it one of the most unusual airports in the world.
Madeira Airport (Portugal)
Madeira Airport is known for its extended runway, built on giant ocean pillars. The airport is between mountains and the sea, making landings and takeoffs tricky. Strong winds and sudden weather changes add to the difficulty of flying here.
Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Nepal)
Also known as Lukla Airport, this airport is the gateway to Mount Everest. It has one of the shortest runways in the world, measuring just 527 meters. The runway is also sloped and ends at the edge of a cliff. Only experienced pilots are allowed to land here.
Svalbard Airport (Norway)
This airport is in the Arctic Circle and has permafrost runways. Due to the extreme cold, the ground has to be constantly monitored to prevent it from shifting. The airport is also one of the northernmost in the world, making it a rare and unusual place to land.
Barra Airport (Scotland)
Barra Airport is the only airport in the world where planes land on a beach. The runway is sand, and flights can only take off or land when the tide is low. At high tide, the entire runway disappears underwater. It’s a genuinely unique airport experience!
