Quantcast

The world's most jaw-dropping runways from Europe to Asia

Alaska Airlines flight attendants reject new contract, union says there's 'more work to do'
Elliott Investment To Push For 10 New Boardroom Directors At Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Backs JetZero Blended-Wing Design
AI in Aviation Line Maintenance: A Strategic Response to Delays, Satisfaction, and Staffing Challenges
VistaJet Flight Brings Home Americans in Prisoner Swap
Air Canada Blames Paris Olympics On Decreased Profits
Delta passengers sue airline over refund refusals after CrowdStrike meltdown
Microsoft fires back at Delta after massive outage, says airline declined ‘repeated’ offers for help
Korean Air Confirms A Spacious Lounge Is Coming To The New Terminal One at New York JFK
VAS Aero Services to Acquire an Additional 17 Airbus A320 Airframes, Bringing to 23 the Total Number of A320s Slated for Teardown and Harvested Parts Redistribution
Delta CEO says CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage cost the airline $500 million
Boeing Reports $16.9 Billion In Revenue For 2nd Quarter With 5,400 Commercial Aircraft Backlog
United Airlines says flight attendant in Terrell Davis incident is no longer employed and NFL legend’s ‘no fly’ ban is lifted | CNN
Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating | CNN Business
CrowdStrike Outage Caused 10% Spike in Air Charter
Aircraft Engine Maintenance and Repair to Peak in 2026, Worsening Capacity Shortage for Commercial Aviation, Says Bain & Company
Joby’s Electric Air Taxi Makes European Debut
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials
Families recount the horror of MH17 ten years on - Airline Ratings
777-9 Enters Certification Flight Testing - AVweb
Kompass Kapital Sets New Course with Airshare Investment
SATS, SIA Engineering Company and Changi Airport Group to Trial Autonomous Buses at Changi Airport
Qatar Airways Landing An A350 In Hamburg Makes A Powerful Statement - Airline Ratings
EBAA Backs Dassault's Sustainability Lawsuit against European Commission | AIN
American Airlines Now Lets You Earn And Spend Miles On Concerts And Events
Boeing agrees to plead guilty to defrauding the FAA but escapes punishment sought by victims’ families | CNN Business
IATA partners with Aviation Sustainability Forum to tackle cabin waste
Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings
Boeing Will Buy Spirit AeroSystems For $4.7 Billion In Stock & Airbus Enters $559 Million Agreement For Its Parts
The world's most jaw-dropping runways from Europe to Asia
Policy
Webp q21f5nitffycj044lotyey7psz4t
Joanna Bailey Managing Editor | Simple Flying

Courchevel Altiport in France has a steep gradient, requiring skilled pilots for precise landings. Barra Airport in Scotland has unique beach runways that are accessible during low tide. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in Saba is known for having one of the world's shortest commercial runways.

Runways are the lifelines connecting the skies to the ground, serving as gateways to thrilling adventures and far-flung destinations. While many runways may appear like mundane strips of asphalt, a select few stand out for their awe-inspiring and breathtaking settings. From challenging terrains to stunning natural landscapes, some runways offer a truly unforgettable experience for pilots and passengers. This article notes five such runways that are remarkable in terms of their location, surroundings, and accessibility.

Courchevel Altiport (CVF) in Courchevel, France, is situated at 6,558 feet (2,008 meters) with a steep gradient of 18.6%. The runway is just 1,762 feet (537 meters) long and requires highly skilled pilots to execute precise landings.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

"Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and charming alpine scenery," this runway offers a thrilling experience for winter sports enthusiasts visiting the world-famous ski resort of Courchevel. The airport has been used multiple times as the finish line of Tour de France.

Barra Airport (BRR) in Eoligarry, Scotland stands out for its unique beach runways marked by wooden poles on the sandy beaches of Traigh Mhòr. During low tide, the runways become accessible allowing planes to land directly on the beach.

This unconventional airport set against rugged Scottish landscapes provides an extraordinary landing experience. "Flight times depend on the tide," adding another layer of complexity and uniqueness to this airport.

Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) located on Saba's small Dutch Caribbean island boasts one of the world's shortest commercial runways at just 1,312 feet (400 meters). Surrounded by steep cliffs and the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea, various charter airlines serve this airport where some flights are shorter than 15 minutes long.

"The challenging approach requires pilots to navigate a tight turn and descend sharply," providing stunning views of lush greenery and azure waters upon landing.

Gibraltar International Airport (GIB) is known for its runway intersecting Gibraltar's main road which required traffic halts during aircraft operations until March this year when a bypass tunnel was opened.

Flanked by "the iconic Rock of Gibraltar," GIB offers unique scenery combined with strategic location features that add adventure to its operational routine despite recent changes reducing direct vehicular interactions with aircraft movements.

Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUA) in Chaurikharka, Nepal is often dubbed "the most dangerous airport in the world." Nestled in the Himalayas at an elevation of 9,337 feet (2,846 meters), it serves as a gateway to Everest region with its short length and steep gradient runway posing significant challenges amidst unpredictable weather conditions.

Surrounded by towering mountains LUA remains essential for trekkers and climbers heading towards Mount Everest offering an exhilarating start to their Himalayan expeditions.

Have you ever visited any of these airports? Let us know in the comments.

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The UNI Africa Regional Conference concluded with a strong focus on consolidating working-class power.

Jul 6, 2025

In a recent rally at Gwanghwamun Square, UNI Global Union affiliates, including the Korea Finance Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU), joined forces with national labor federations to advocate for stronger...

Jul 6, 2025

The Emirates Group recently held an exhibition titled "Tomorrow Takes Flight," showcasing its sustainability initiatives in aviation.

Jul 4, 2025

Air France-KLM has announced plans to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines by increasing its ownership stake to 60.5% by the end of 2026.

Jul 4, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed concerns over the Global Solidarity Levy Task Force's (GSLTF) proposal to impose a premium flyer levy, citing potential negative impacts on the airline industry and broader economic...

Jul 4, 2025

American Airlines, known for its extensive network of hub airports, once operated a significant hub at St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) in Missouri.

Jul 4, 2025