The airports are designed to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft, but some of them have acquired a reputation for dangerousness due to various factors. Here are some of the airports most dangerous in the world :
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Lukla International Airport, Nepal: Located in the mountains, this airport is surrounded by high peaks and has a very short and narrow landing strip. Planes must fly over deep valleys before landing or taking off, making it one of the most perilous airports in the world.
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Toncontín International Airport, Honduras: Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, this airport has a short runway and is located at a high altitude. Pilots must make a steep approach and a steep turn to land safely, which makes operations tricky, especially in bad weather.
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Paro International Airport, Bhutan: With steep mountains and high winds, Paro Airport is considered one of the toughest in the world. Pilots must follow a spiral approach to avoid natural obstacles before landing on a narrow runway surrounded by hills.
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Courchevel International Airport, France: Located in the French Alps, this airport is known for its short runway and steep incline. The approach is difficult due to the surrounding mountains, and pilots must be specially trained to land safely.
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Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten: This airport is famous for its runway located right next to a busy beach. The planes land at a very low altitude, which means that swimmers can find themselves only a few meters from landing planes.
These airports all present unique challenges to pilots due to their topography, weather conditions or proximity to urban areas. Airport authorities and airlines are implementing additional security measures to minimize risk, but it is essential that the pilots serving them are highly qualified and experienced.
It should also be noted that aviation safety standards are constantly changing and efforts are being made to improve safety at all airports, including those considered unsafe.
