59. Paro Airport – Bhutan
Year of construction: 1968
Risk factors: Himalayan Mountains make navigation difficult
Paro International Airport, located in Bhutan, is the sole airport that takes international flights in the country. It is a few miles from Paro, located in a deep valley on the riverbank of Paro Chhu. The airport is one of the world’s most challenging, thanks to nearby Himalayan Peaks that reach as high as 18,000 feet.
Paro Airport – Bhutan ©Matej Hudovernik / Shutterstock.com
Less than twenty-four pilots are actually certified to land at Paro International. And, even then, there are a lot of restrictions. Flights to and from the hub can only take place in the daylight under perfect meteorological conditions. Still, in perfect weather, takeoff and landing are a challenge.