Roberta Aguirre
Honduras is known for its high levels of crime, violent crime, and gang activity. The Central American country has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and its capital Tegucigalpa is considered the 7th most dangerous city globally. It is no surprise, then, that its former primary airport, Toncontín International Airport, was considered one of the world's most dangerous airports. The airport, located in Tegucigalpa, was situated on a small plain surrounded by high mountains, requiring pilots to navigate slopes and descend steeply over houses to a short runway. In 2021, Toncontín was replaced by Palmerola International Airport, which shares space with a US military base.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Toncontín International Airport |
| Danger Ranking | Ranked as the second most extreme airport in the world by The History Channel programme Most Extreme Airports. It is also considered one of the most dangerous airports by international aeronautical organizations. |
| Location | Tegucigalpa, Honduras |
| Passengers Handled | 800,000 per year |
| Challenges | Pilots have to navigate slopes sometimes covered in fog, then make a steep descent over houses and near a boulevard to reach the short runway. |
| Accidents | In October 1985, a commercial flight crashed into a mountain, resulting in 131 deaths. |
| Replacement | Palmerola International Airport, which shares space with a US military base, was inaugurated in 2021 to replace Toncontín. |
| Country Crime | Honduras has high levels of crime, including violent crime, armed robbery, sexual assault, and petty theft. Foreigners have been targeted, and there is a risk of scams and credit card/ATM fraud. |
| Transportation | Public transportation is unsafe and unreliable, with reckless driving, accidents, and incidents of armed robbery and arson. |
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What You'll Learn
Toncontín Airport's dangerous location
Toncontín International Airport, formerly known as Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía Airport, is located 6 km from the centre of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. It is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its location and approach path.
The airport is situated on a small plain surrounded by tall mountains, forcing pilots to navigate steep slopes that are sometimes covered in fog. The descent involves flying low over the roofs of houses and a boulevard, and the runway is relatively short at 1,900 metres, requiring precise landing and immediate braking to avoid overrunning the tabletop runway and falling off a cliff onto a busy road. Similarly, during takeoff, aircraft must climb quickly to avoid crashing into the populated hills nearby.
The History Channel's programme 'Most Extreme Airports' ranks it as the second most extreme airport globally. The approach to Toncontín is particularly challenging for aircraft, especially during unfavourable weather conditions. The airport's reputation for danger was further solidified by a major accident in October 1985, when a commercial flight crashed into a mountain before initiating its descent, resulting in the tragic loss of 131 lives.
The dangers of Toncontín International Airport have been recognised for many years, and efforts to replace it with the Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua began as early as the 1980s. However, due to various political and economic factors, the relocation of commercial flights did not occur until 2021, when the Comayagua International Airport, also known as Palmerola International Airport, finally opened. Toncontín remains operational for domestic flights, handling about 800,000 passengers annually.
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High crime rates in Honduras
Honduras has a reputation for high crime rates, with violent crime being widespread in the country. The country has very high rates of murder and gun crime, with incidents often involving firearms and street gangs. Mass shootings have occurred in urban centres, and there is a high risk of kidnapping. Foreigners have been victims of violent crime, including armed robbery and sexual assault. These attacks can take place anywhere and at any time, and there may be no police or security services nearby to help.
The country also has a problem with petty theft, particularly in cities and tourist areas, including the Bay Islands. Scam artists also target foreign visitors and residents, with scams causing significant financial loss. Credit card and ATM fraud are also prevalent. Women travelling alone may be subject to harassment and verbal abuse.
Travelling in Honduras also comes with inherent risks. Roads are often poorly delineated and damaged by flooding, and driving standards are generally poor. Many vehicles travel without lights, and animals often wander across roads, causing accidents. Drivers often do not respect traffic laws, driving at excessive speeds and with aggression and recklessness. Public buses are often poorly maintained, overcrowded, and driven dangerously. Accidents are common and sometimes fatal. It is advised not to travel by bus or car at night, as this is when carjackings and bus hijackings are more likely to occur. Criminals may target individuals leaving a major airport, and it is advised to avoid walking around Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and other mainland towns and cities.
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Poor driving standards
Honduras has a history of poor driving standards, which can make travelling to and from the airport particularly dangerous. The country's roads are often poorly delineated due to regular flooding, and drivers frequently fail to respect traffic laws, driving at excessive speeds and behaving aggressively and recklessly. Many vehicles travel without lights, and animals often wander across roads, causing accidents. Public buses are often poorly maintained, overcrowded, and driven dangerously, with accidents being common and sometimes fatal. Incidents of armed robbery and arson are also frequent on public buses. Travellers are advised to avoid road travel at night, and outside of major roads, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.
The poor driving standards in Honduras are not limited to public transportation. Carjacking and bus hijacking are common, and travellers are warned that they may be targeted leaving a major airport. Travellers are advised to be vigilant at traffic lights, as criminals may pose as injured victims to lure unsuspecting drivers. Due to the prevalence of violent crime in Honduras, travellers are warned not to resist if they are attacked or robbed, as perpetrators may be armed and willing to injure or kill.
In addition to the dangers posed by other drivers, the physical condition of the roads in Honduras can also be a hazard. Some roads remain damaged by hurricanes, and landslides and flooding can affect roads throughout the country. Travellers are advised to use alternative routes to avoid unsafe road conditions.
The combination of poor driving standards, unsafe vehicles, and hazardous road conditions makes travelling to and from the airport in Honduras particularly dangerous. Travellers are advised to exercise caution and, if possible, pre-arrange transportation with a reliable taxi company recommended by their hotel. It is also essential to have adequate insurance and be aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an accident.
To improve safety, the Honduran government has invested in the development of new infrastructure, such as the Palmerola International Airport, which replaced the Toncontin Airport, previously considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its challenging approach and short runway. However, despite these efforts, travellers are still advised to exercise caution when travelling in Honduras due to the country's poor driving standards and high levels of criminal activity.
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Scams targeting foreigners
Honduras has a history of violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Foreigners are sometimes the victims of these crimes. As such, it is important to be vigilant when travelling in Honduras, especially in airports, bus stations, and other transit hubs, which are common locations for scams and crimes. Here are some specific scams targeting foreigners:
Credit Card and ATM Fraud
Credit card and ATM fraud is prevalent in Honduras. Criminals may use skimming devices to steal your card information or install hidden cameras to record your PIN. Be cautious when using ATMs, and always shield the keypad when entering your PIN.
Food and Drink Spiking
Be cautious when accepting food or drinks from strangers, as they may be spiked with drugs. This can lead to robbery or sexual assault. Never leave your food or drinks unattended, and be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum, or cigarettes from new acquaintances.
Fake Police Checkpoints
Gang members and criminals sometimes disguise themselves as police officers and set up fake checkpoints to rob travellers. At legitimate police checkpoints, there should be a visible police vehicle with a logo and a telephone number. You can also dial 911 to confirm the location of the checkpoint and the identity of the officers.
Taxi Scams
When travelling to or from the airport, use only authorised airport taxis or reliable taxi companies recommended by your hotel. Some taxi drivers may take you to a remote location and rob you, or they may drastically overcharge you for the ride.
Money Transfer Scams
Scam artists may target friends and family of foreigners, asking them to transfer funds to Honduras. Warn your loved ones to be sceptical of such requests and to contact you directly to confirm before sending any money.
It is important to stay informed about the latest scams and safety advisories before travelling to Honduras. Register with your country's embassy and follow their social media accounts for updates. Always have a backup plan and know whom to contact in case of an emergency.
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Sexual assault and robbery
Honduras has a reputation for high levels of crime, including violent crime, armed robbery, car and bus jackings, and sexual assault. The country also has a high risk of HIV/AIDS infection.
Public transportation in Honduras is unsafe and unreliable, with most urban public buses poorly maintained, overcrowded, and recklessly driven. Accidents are common, and incidents of armed robbery and arson are frequent on public buses. Incidents of robbery are also known to occur at bus stations and airports. Carjackers may target individuals leaving major airports, and travellers are advised to avoid walking around Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and other mainland towns and cities.
The country's former main airport, Toncontín International Airport, has been described as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The airport, located in Tegucigalpa, is situated on a small plain surrounded by high mountains, requiring pilots to navigate slopes sometimes covered in fog before steeply descending over houses and a boulevard to a short runway. The approach to the airport has been considered one of the most difficult in the world, especially during poor weather conditions. The airport's notoriety led to efforts to replace it with the Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua, which occurred in 2021 with the opening of the Comayagua International Airport, now known as Palmerola International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Toncontin Airport is located on a small plain surrounded by high mountains. Pilots have to navigate slopes sometimes covered in fog, then make a steep descent over houses and a boulevard to a short runway. When taking off, planes have to climb immediately to avoid crashing into hills. The most notable accident occurred in October 1985 when a commercial flight crashed into a mountain, resulting in 131 deaths.
In 2007, the approach to one of the runways was made easier by bulldozing part of the hillside. The runway was also extended in 2009. However, in 2021, Toncontin was replaced by the new Palmerola International Airport, which is expected to be safer.
Honduras has high levels of violent crime, including armed robbery, carjacking, bus jacking, sexual assault, and murder. Crime often involves firearms and street gangs. There is also a high risk of kidnapping and HIV/AIDS infection. Public transportation is unsafe and unreliable, with reckless driving and frequent accidents. Scam artists also target foreigners.
