02/09/2023
Bhutan's Paro International Airport is nestled between high mountain peaks and dense trees, but mainline jetliners can still fly in.
Bhutan's Paro International Airport is one of the most geographically complicated airports in the world.
Located in a valley between 18,000-foot peaks and dense forest trees, only a few dozen pilots have been specially trained to fly in and out, and flights are only allowed during daytime hours.
According to Forbes, a few factors make the approach particularly dangerous, including the steep 45-degree turn into the runway — which the pilots can't even see until moments before dropping onto the airfield.
The runway is also very short, at just 6,500 feet, meaning the narrowbody planes flying to and from the airport must operate within strict speed and altitude parameters. Moreover, the airport lacks radar systems that could help guide the planes, so aviators must rely on their eyes and training.
Currently, only two carriers fly to Paro Airport: state-owned flag carrier Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and privately-owned Bhutan Airlines, both flying Airbus A319s.
