7 of the World’s Most Challenging Runways

1. Lin Zhi (LZY) in Tibet. Airplanes must fly through the narrow and winding Yarlung Tsangpo River valley, which is surrounded by mountains over 13,000 feet and typically enveloped by clouds and fog. According to meteorological data, there are just 100 airworthy days each year. 

Gibraltar (GIB)

2. Gibraltar (GIB). In addition to the famous Rock and the sea at both ends, the airport ­runway is bisected by a busy four-lane highway. Police simply stop traffic for takeoffs and landings. 

Courchevel, France (CVF)

3. Courchevel, France (CVF). Affectionately known as the ski slope, the 1,700-foot runway features an 18.5 percent grade. Pilots need a special permit to land and there is no go-around procedure. 

4. Eagle Vail, Colo. (EGE). Tricky because of surrounding mountains, snow, wind and altitude of 6,540 feet. Takeoff is the most challenging for pilots due to the need for an extremely precise takeoff pattern through the mountains. 

Princess Juliana, Saint Maarten (SXM)

5. Princess Juliana, Saint Maarten (SXM). The airport is famous for its short runway, only 2,400 meters, yet heavy jets land daily. Incoming airplanes approaching the island have to fly extremely low, passing only 10-20 meters over tourists relaxing on Maho Beach. The departure presents more difficulties than the approach, with a turn required to avoid mountains. 

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB).

6. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB). Saba is widely regarded as having the world’s shortest commercially serviceable runway–1,300 feet at the edge of the ocean. The airport also suffers from crosswinds and cliffs on both ends, leaving no margin for error. No jet aircraft. 

7. Tenzing-Hillary, Nepal (LUA). Also known as Lukla Airport. Accessible only to helicopters and small, fixed-wing, short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, the 1,729-foot runway here is at an elevation of 9,383 feet. There is a mountain at one end and a sheer drop at the other.