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Only 50 pilots in the world are allowed to land at this airport. The view of it causes dread.
Paro Airport in Bhutan is considered the most dangerous in the world - it is surrounded by the Himalayas, and only 50 specially trained pilots are allowed to land on this terrifying runway.
TL;DR
- Paro International Airport in Bhutan is considered the world's most difficult and dangerous airport for landings.
- Only about 50 pilots globally are certified to land at this airport.
- The airport is situated in the Himalayas, surrounded by peaks up to 18,000 feet high.
- The landing approach requires sharp turns between mountain valleys and low passes over houses.
- Pilots need at least 1,500 hours of standard flying and 500 hours of specialized mountain flying experience.
- New pilots must be supervised by a senior captain for at least 30 successful landings.
- Challenging factors include mountainous terrain, the need for extreme precision, and unpredictable weather conditions.
- Flights are prohibited outside daylight hours, and the airport often closes during windy seasons.
- Despite the difficult approach, Paro Airport has a perfect safety record with no fatal accidents.
- Captain Chimi Dorji describes Paro as 'challenging but not dangerous', emphasizing the need for local skills and area knowledge.
- Bhutan's mountainous geography necessitates the airport's location.