Four popular European holiday destinations have been ranked among the most dangerous airports in the world, requiring pilots to undergo specialist training to land safely. The challenges include tricky runways, weather changes, and difficult terrain.
Innsbruck Airport in Austria is situated deep in a valley surrounded by mountains. Only captains are permitted to land there, and the approach often involves a tight turn complicated by low-level wind. The surrounding mountains also limit the possibility of a missed approach.
Gibraltar Airport features a main road crossing the runway, with traffic stopped around 15 times a day for flights. Pilots face abnormal wind effects and turbulence due to the Rock of Gibraltar, making diversions and go-arounds common.
Madeira Airport's runway is built on a bridge over the water, requiring pilots to cross mountains and exposed coastlines before aligning with the narrow runway, often in high winds. A fatal accident in 1977 led to the construction of the runway extension.
Courchevel Airport in the French Alps has the world's shortest tarmacked runway at just 537 metres long, situated 2,008 metres above sea level. Only small aircraft and helicopters are allowed, and the runway lacks lighting systems, with extreme weather common in autumn and winter.
