The most spectacular airstrips in the world

This is not what I'm searching for. Written on 07-09-2011 by Emma_Barker

Lots of people are afraid of flying, even though it really is the safest way to travel. Chances of a fatal accident only are 1 in 1.6 million. Even on the ten most dangerous airstrips in the world accidents hardly ever happen. Touching down on one of these strips, however, is a spectacular adventure.

1. Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong

There are lots of skyscrapers and high mountains in the vicinity of this airstrip. This makes it very difficult to land without hitting a building or a mountain. A real challenge!

2. Funchal Airport, Madeira

This Madeira airstrip only allows pilots to land when they have had specific training. On one side of the airstrip there are high mountains, on the other side is the sea. Just before landing the plane has to make a sharp turn to the right.

3. Gustaf lll Airport, St. Barts, Carribean

Just below the plane traffic goes up the mountain and people are sunbathing. Besides, landing requires flying over a high mountain first.

4. Courchevel Airport, France

This airstrip isn't suitable for every pilot, this one also requires special training. This French airstrip is one of the shortest in the world.

5. Princess Juliana Airport, Sint Maarten

It must be a spectacular sight when you're baking in the sun on Maho Beach and an airplane flies over. Planes have to fly very low in order to land properly. They fly at an altitude of 33 to 65 feet over sunbathing tourists. It scares a lot of tourists when they see the planes fly so low over them. Nonetheless, serious accidents have never occured.

6. Gilgit Airport, Pakistan

This airstrip is in a mountainous area and in addition, it is very short. It is impossible for a Boeing to land here.

7. Khathmandu International Airport, Nepal

This is one of few airstrips where accidents do happen. It appears to be one of the most dangerous and deadly airstrips in the world. Descending can only be done one step at a time and above all, the surrounding mountains must be watched very carefully.

8. Narsarsuaq Airport, Greenland

This airstrip ends in a big lake and has deep cliffs on either side of it.

9. Saba Island Airport, Netherlands Antilles

This is said to be the shortest commercial airstrip in the world. Furthermore, it has no alternatives. If the plane does not leave the runway in time, it will plummet into the ocean.