There are no second chances taking off at the 'world's most dangerous airport' in Nepal
Published on Aug 03, 2025 at 6:20 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jul 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Nepal’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, is known as the world’s most dangerous airport – and footage showing a plane attempting to take off shows exactly why.
The airport was built in 1964 and is the main gateway to Everest.
It is situated 9,337 feet above sea level and has a short runway measuring just 1,729 feet, with a steep incline and cliffs at both ends.
It’s been branded the world’s most dangerous airport, and it’s not hard to see why.
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It’s earned a reputation as the world’s most dangerous airport
There are some weird and wonderful airports out there, like this one in Japan that’s built on a man-made island and is slowly sinking, or this one in St. Maarten that is situated right next to a beach, leading to some interesting landings for beachgoers.
However, when it comes to the fear factor, Nepal’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport is in a league of its own.
The airport is where most folks hoping to tackle the iconic Mount Everest will begin their journey, but it’s also notable for its unpredictable and nail-biting runway.
The runway is smaller than most, and planes can only land in one direction and take off in the other.
But most notably, there is zero room for mistakes as pilots are unable to loop around.
And that’s only half the problem. The air up at Lukla Airport is thinner than you’d find at ground level, which makes takeoffs and landings that little bit more difficult.
Alongside that, the weather is known to be unpredictable and can change very quickly.
This, of course, can cause delays and cancellations, but that’s not to say the airport isn’t busy.
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Despite its reputation for being the world’s most dangerous airport, it can handle more than 100 flights per day during peak periods.
Due to its size, the Tenzing-Hillary Airport can only accommodate helicopters and small, fixed-wing, short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, and only highly experienced pilots are allowed to fly in.
It’s not the only dangerous airport
Lukla may have a reputation for being the world’s most dangerous airport, but it faces some tough competition.
France’s Courchevel Altiport has a steep 18.6 percent gradient and a teeny runway, measuring just 1,762 feet.
Much like Tenzing-Hillary Airport, landing a plane at Courchevel is no mean feat, and only the most seasoned pilots are up to the challenge.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
