Airports: A Dangerous Place Or Safe Haven?

A series of airline accidents in early 2025 has raised concerns about the safety of commercial aviation. While aviation experts maintain that there is no reason for alarm, passengers are understandably anxious about air travel. Airports pose unique challenges, from short runways to mountainous terrains and restricted airspace, which can make them more dangerous. Some airports, like the one in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, are notorious for their tricky approaches and short runways, while others, like Princess Juliana Airport in the Caribbean, are known for their low-flying planes that barely clear the beach before landing. As air travel becomes increasingly popular, it's important to consider the potential dangers of airports and take the necessary precautions to ensure safe travel.

Aviation accidents and mechanical issues

Aviation accidents can be caused by a multitude of factors, one of which is mechanical failure. Mechanical failures can occur due to aircraft defects and negligent maintenance. While not all mechanical failures cause crashes, they can lead to serious injuries to passengers and crew. Some common mechanical failures include issues with the powerplant, pressurization system failures, electrical system failures, landing gear failures, and tire failures. These failures can be particularly dangerous during takeoff and landing, the most critical phases of flight.

Powerplant failures are the most commonly reported mechanical issue. The powerplant is responsible for converting air into thrust, and issues with it can lead to engine failure. Landing gear malfunctions can also have serious consequences, especially during the busy moments of takeoff and landing. In some cases, they can result in accidents or significant damage to the aircraft.

Electrical and hydraulic system failures are another concern, as they are dependent on the engine to power their pumps. Pressurization system failures often result in emergency descents, while tire failures can impact the performance of the aircraft during takeoff and landing.

In addition to mechanical failures, pilot error is another leading cause of aviation accidents. This can include errors in interpreting instrument readings or failures to check critical parameters such as speed, elevation, fuel, and oil levels. Malfunctioning instruments can create a vicious cycle, leading to improper actions by the pilot and additional mechanical failures. Software flaws in automated systems can also cause sudden, violent corrections that can injure passengers or even cause crashes.

While aviation accidents due to mechanical issues can have devastating consequences, it is important to keep in mind that air crashes are rare. Most airports and aircraft are designed with safety in mind, and reforms are often implemented to improve safety measures following accidents.

Airspace restrictions

Prohibited Airspace

Prohibited airspace refers to a designated area where the flight of aircraft is strictly forbidden, typically due to security concerns or reasons associated with national welfare. These areas are identified by defined dimensions and are published in official registers like the Federal Register in the United States. Violating prohibited airspace can result in severe consequences, including military interception, potential attacks on the violating aircraft, or significant fines and jail time. An example of a prohibited airspace is the Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, encompassing airspace up to 18,000 feet within approximately 15 nautical miles of the airport.

Restricted Airspace

Restricted airspace, while not entirely prohibiting aircraft operations, imposes significant limitations and restrictions. These areas are established due to security concerns or the presence of unusual hazards, such as artillery firing or guided missiles. Restricted airspace is identified by defined dimensions and is subject to authorization from the controlling agency. An example of restricted airspace is the area around defence and military bases, such as those in Hungary and India, where civilian aircraft access may be restricted or proposed to be opened for civilian use.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

TFRs are implemented due to specific events or circumstances, such as the movement of government VIPs, special events, natural disasters, or other unusual occurrences. They are typically established for a specific duration and may consist of one or more rings of restricted airspace surrounding the VIP or event. TFRs can significantly impact general and business aviation, with certain approaches and departures becoming unavailable or restricted. Examples of TFRs include those established for the Super Bowl or the UN General Assembly.

Parachute Operations and Controlled Firing Areas (CFA)

Parachute operations near airports, especially those without operating control towers, require pilots to be vigilant and adhere to specific procedures. Pilots must broadcast relevant information, including altitude, position, and approximate jump times, while also monitoring designated frequencies. Controlled firing areas (CFA) are another type of restricted airspace, often associated with military activities, where aircraft operations are confined or prohibited due to the nature of the activities conducted.

National Security and Geographical Considerations

Dangerous runways

Airports are considered dangerous for a variety of reasons, including location, terrain, weather, and design limitations. Take-off and landing are considered the most dangerous aspects of flying, and certain airports are known for their particularly challenging runways.

One example is the Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, which is located 9,383 feet above sea level in the middle of the French Alps. The runway is short, at only 1,729 feet, and sits on the edge of a cliff with a 2,000-foot drop on one side and a stone wall on the other. The weather in the mountains is highly unpredictable, and the runway is only usable during the morning due to sudden snow or fog. Only small planes and helicopters can use this airport, and captains must undergo special training to do so.

Another dangerous runway is found at the Princess Juliana Airport in the Caribbean, which is considered one of the busiest airports in the region. The runway is extremely short at 7,152 feet, and planes must approach at a very low altitude of about 60 feet above a crowded beach, which can be dangerous for sunbathers due to the jet blast from planes.

The airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is also infamous for its challenging 7,000-foot tabletop runway surrounded by mountains. Pilots must make a nerve-wracking 45-degree turn just minutes before touchdown and navigate through neighborhood homes. Overshooting the runway can be fatal, as evidenced by the 2007 crash of a plane that hit a petrol pump and a warehouse.

Madeira Airport, also known as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, is situated between cliffs and the ocean, with a short runway extended by 180 columns in the water. The turbulent Atlantic winds make landings difficult, and only a few pilots are cleared to land here.

Other notable mentions include the remote airstrip in Matekane, Lesotho, which has the world's scariest runway at just 1,300 feet. Planes must drop down a 2,000-foot cliff to gain enough speed to become airborne. Additionally, the short runways at New York's LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport pose challenges for pilots due to restricted airspace and proximity to major landmarks.

Turbulent landings

While aviation experts maintain that air travel remains extremely safe, a series of airline accidents in early 2025 has raised concerns about commercial aviation safety. Dangerous airports, challenging pilots with rough terrains, short runways, and wind shears, have also contributed to this uneasiness.

One of the most notorious airports for turbulent landings is Madeira Airport, also known as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. The airport is nestled between cliffs and the ocean, with a short 6,500-foot runway extended over the water with columns. The turbulent Atlantic winds make landings here particularly bumpy and unsteady, often shaking up even the most confident fliers.

Another airport known for its tricky landings is the one in Tegucigalpa, surrounded by mountains. Pilots must execute a nerve-wracking 45-degree turn just minutes before touchdown and navigate through neighborhood homes. Overshooting the 7,000-foot runway can be fatal, as evidenced by the 2007 crash where a plane hit a petrol pump and a warehouse.

The Tenzing-Hillary Airport, sitting at an altitude of 9,325 feet, also presents a formidable challenge with its narrow and sloped runway. Missing this short runway can result in a mountain collision, as tragically happened in 2010 when a flight crashed due to inclement weather.

These turbulent landings can be attributed to various factors, including mechanical turbulence from obstacles near the airport and thermal convection. While most turbulence allows for a safe landing, it can cause aircraft to "'drop in'" or undershoot their intended landing spot. To navigate these conditions, pilots are advised to maintain higher speeds for better control, reduce flaps for a higher pitch attitude, and make small control corrections to prevent destabilization.

Warning signs and near misses

While most aviation experts say there is no reason to panic, a series of airline accidents in early 2025 has raised concerns about commercial aviation safety. There is some uneasiness over whether the industry and federal regulators were adequately responding to warning signs, like reports of near misses at airports.

In late 2023, close calls at airports dominated the headlines, prompting the FAA to respond with a set of recommendations, including accelerating controller hiring. The Boeing Max crisis, which saw the aircraft grounded after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, also raised concerns about mechanical issues. However, there has been no suggestion that mechanical issues played a role in the recent regional jet crashes in DC and Toronto.

The short runway at Princess Juliana Airport in St. Maarten, for example, requires planes to come in low over the water, just barely clearing the fence before landing. Tourists often film the planes, and some even purposefully stand where the jet engines blow them into the ocean. In 2017, a woman died from head injuries after being knocked over by the jet blast while standing by the airport fence.

The high-altitude airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is surrounded by mountains and has a short runway. Planes must turn sharply and battle gusts of wind before landing. In 2008, a plane overran the runway and rolled onto a street, killing five people. The cause was determined to be pilot error, and the runway has since been extended.

The remote airstrip in Matekane, Lesotho, Africa, has been labelled as the scariest runway in the world. It measures just 1,300 feet, and when taking off, planes must drop down the face of a 2,000-foot cliff before becoming airborne.

Frequently asked questions