Some airport runways around the world are so hazardous that pilots must undergo specialist training before they are allowed to land. These include short strips ending at cliff edges, approaches buffeted by high winds, and even a runway that disappears under the tide.
These challenging airports are not confined to remote tropical islands. Several are located in popular holiday destinations across Europe and Asia, with one less than a four-hour flight from the UK.
Madeira's Cliff-Edge Runway
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport in Madeira features a short runway that is partly a bridge, set beside rocky mountains and notorious for high winds. Pilots must complete specialist training to land or take off here. The runway is short, with both ends bordering the water, so a miscalculation could send an aircraft onto the beaches below.
In 1977, a Boeing 727 overran the runway and crashed onto the nearby beach, killing 131 people. Following the tragedy, authorities extended the runway twice. It now measures about 9,000ft and can handle commercial jets.
Saint Maarten and Bhutan's Mountain Approaches
At Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Maarten, the approach takes planes directly over Maho Beach, where the engine blasts from take-offs are felt on the ground. It has become a popular spot for aviation fans, but authorities have repeatedly warned that the power of the jet blasts is easy to underestimate. Fences have been installed to stop people clinging to the main fence by the runway.
Paro airport in Bhutan sits in a valley surrounded by Himalayan peaks. The runway is only 7,431ft long, with a flight path that is steep and winding through mountains, often only visible within seconds of touchdown. Radar guidance is not guaranteed, so pilots must perform all landings manually. It is estimated that only around 50 pilots worldwide are certified to fly there.
Nepal's Extreme Landing Strip
Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla airport, is regarded as one of the world's most difficult and dangerous runways. There have been several crashes over the decades, some resulting in deaths. Pilots must pass a stringent vetting process, including at least 10 flights into Lukla with a certified instructor and a certain level of short take-off and landing experience.
Scotland's Tidal Runway
Barra Airport on the Isle of Barra in Scotland's Outer Hebrides has a runway that disappears at high tide. Pilots land small aircraft on the sandy beach, so schedules must operate around the tides. When the runway is submerged, the airport closes and the beach reopens to the public.
