Exploring the Sketchiest and Strangest Airports in the World

For the vast majority of Americans, if we go to the closest airport, there isn’t much to write home about. Most airports have figured out a way to streamline their operations to the point where we don’t think twice about it. Sure, maybe waiting in line may cause a scare for a missed flight now and then. Once we make it to the gate, though, there isn’t much thought involved.

For pilots, though, we’re sure that each airport has its own unique set of challenges when it comes to taking off and landing. There are some airports in the world, though, that really go above and beyond in being sketchy and downright weird. These airports have all sorts of different surrounding factors that make them noteworthy or facilities that pilots want to avoid at all costs.

For example, some airports might be in a geographical location that creates a lot of wind. Naturally, a pilot isn’t going to want to land the aircraft sideways. Therefore, these airports might just be something that makes aviators’ stomachs churn.

Furthermore, some airports provide an incredibly short amount of distance between where people can stand and where the runway is. Some of these runways are relatively short as well.

Lastly, there are some airports with conditions that most people would never think of. For example, a large bird population can really throw off the performance of an airplane. In fact, birds tangling with aircraft have led to tons of expensive and dangerous situations.

By following along with the video below from the Curiosity YouTube channel, we dive inside of a couple of airports that are worth writing home about. It’s pretty crazy to some of the conditions that pilots have to combat when they land at these facilities. Certain members of this list really had us wondering how they operate as airports at all.