A new report ranks the Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport on the island of Skiathos as one of the worst airports in the world in terms of location.
The report contains airports located in areas that are actually not appropriate, are too small, or have very narrow or short runways. Some of the airports are also located on the edge of a cliff or just a few meters away from the beach. Others are right next to city streets.
The Skiathos airport is famous among pilots for its low landings. It has one short and narrow runway close to homes and is hemmed in by the sea, a lagoon, and a hill. All these make it difficult for pilots to navigate, but its location makes for spectacular takeoffs and landings.
It is also an airport that makes for a thrilling landing for pilots who want to exhibit their navigation skills. After all, both takeoff and landing are two of the most critical moments of a flight that allow pilots to showcase their expertise.
Airports where landing is an adventure
Skiathos International Airport
The Skiathos airport is one of five where the risk factor is high. It is both small and located in a spot that presents pilots with great difficulties when navigating planes. Moreover, it is also not the safest airport for passengers when boarding or getting off planes.
In a survey by the “El Espanol” website, Skiathos airport is reported to be one of the five most dangerous in the world. The airstrip location and length of the Sporades island airport puts it in fourth place.
What makes it so unique? To begin with, it has the shortest runway in Europe, as it is a mere 1,628 meters long (5,341). Oftentimes, passengers depart and planespotters congregate behind the runway, and minor incidents are frequent.
In addition, the runway was built on land reclaimed from the sea, which creates the impressive feeling that the planes practically skim the water during takeoff and landing. Much like the airport on the island of Saint Martin, planes heading to Skiathos fly over populated areas at a minimum altitude.
Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Nepal)
Also known as Lukla Airport due to its proximity to the picturesque town of Lukla in eastern Nepal, Tenzing-Hillary Airport is one of those places that tests the nerves of pilots and passengers. It is located almost 3,000 meters above sea level.
This airport is nestled between steep mountains where fog is frequent. The airstrip is surprisingly short at half a kilometer (just over a quarter of a mile) long and was literally built into a cliff, winding between mountain peaks and ending at a cliff that drops into a deep abyss. Any mistake, both during takeoff and landing, could result in quite serious consequences.
Courchevel in the French Alps
Courchevel Airport, also known as “The Altitude,” is one of the main gateways to the majestic French Alps, especially for ski enthusiasts who yearn to explore its snow-capped peaks. However, in this case, we find an airport located at an especially high altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level.
The main challenge at Courchevel lies in its runway, which is remarkably short at just over half a kilometer (a little over a quarter of a mile) long. What adds an extra punch of adrenaline is how the track had to adapt to the natural topography of the surrounding terrain. As a result, it has a significant slope and, in some places, dangerous undulations.
Exotic island airports
Princess Juliana International Airport on Saint Martin Island
This airport is not only on the list of the most dangerous airports in the world, but it is also one of the most impressive for several reasons. Its location is what makes it so special, as it is just a few meters away from the beautiful Maho Beach.
Planes landing and taking off pass just 25 meters above this heavenly beach, literally passing over sunbeds and swimmers.
The wonder of seeing these planes fly at such a low distance from the ground has turned this situation into a tourist attraction in itself, but the reality is that it also carries real danger. The airstrip is remarkably short, just two kilometers (a bit over half a mile) long, and it is surrounded by the sea on one side and a mountain on the other. This means that the planes have to pass over the beach, which might result in dangerous gusts of wind as they do so.
Juancho E. Yrausquin on Saba island
On the small island of Saba, a remote Caribbean area under Dutch jurisdiction, there is an airport that has been rated as one of the most dangerous although it has never actually experienced a serious accident. However, when viewed from the sky, its landing strip of only 400 meters makes an impression.
This route is located on a tiny peninsula at one end of the island, surrounded by a wall of mountains on one side and bordered by majestic cliffs that virtually surround it.
From a distance, the runway seems to defy logic by extending from its position on the ground. Only certain types of aircraft and highly experienced pilots dare land there. Regardless of a potentially risky landing, these islands get a wealth of visitors each year looking forward to their vacations and all the island has to offer.
Regarding the Skiathos airport, vacationers don’t seem to avoid it because of their interest in its peculiar location. In its 50 years of existence, millions have visited the beautiful island by air with no particular issues.
