Heading to the airport is usually a stressful endeavour, particularly if you're heading to LAX or JFK. And while Denver International Airport has its fair share of creepy conspiracy theories, there are few as eerie as Paro International Airport.
Tucked away in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan lies an airport so notoriously difficult to land at, fewer than 50 pilots in the world are certified to attempt it.
Paro International Airport may look serene, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense forest, but the reality for pilots is far from tranquil. The airport, located just 6km from the town of Paro, is one of the world’s most dangerous and exclusive places to land a commercial aircraft.
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The airport’s own official website states: “Paro International Airport is the sole international airport of the four airports in the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is 6 km from Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu”.
“With surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 m (18,000 ft), it is considered one of the world's most challenging airports, and only a select number of pilots are certified to land at the airport.”
This means that the deep valley is more than just a scenic location – it’s a logistical nightmare for flight crews. At 7,330 feet above sea level, with a runway length of only 2.265 km, Paro’s approach path requires aircraft to navigate a narrow corridor of mountains, making even routine landings a high-stakes challenge.
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What sets Paro apart from most airports is the complete lack of radar guidance. Pilots must rely entirely on visual cues and manual flying; there is no autopilot crutch to lean on here.
Also according to the airport's official site: “Flights to and from Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.”
In other words, landings and takeoffs can only take place when the weather is clear, and strictly during daylight hours – no exceptions. This adds an additional layer of complexity, especially during Bhutan’s intense monsoon season when visibility can drop dramatically, and wind conditions can quickly become unpredictable.
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Adding to the challenge is the fact that only two commercial airlines currently operate from the airport: Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines. Their pilots are specially trained and certified to handle the intricate approach and departure patterns unique to Paro.
The airport's fearsome reputation has made it a subject of fascination for aviation enthusiasts. Landing at Paro isn’t just about skill – it’s about elite qualification, razor-sharp focus, and the ability to remain calm in conditions where even the most seasoned pilots would hesitate.
So, while some pilots have made headlines flying non-stop in small aircraft for months or turning back mid-flight due to forgotten passports, successfully landing at Paro remains a mark of true aviation mastery.