World's Most Terrifying Airports

From New York City to New Zealand, the scariest places to take off and land
By Marie Morris,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 8, 2010 8:55 AM CDT
World's Most Terrifying Airports
An American Airlines jet on the tarmac at the international airport in Guatemala City, covered with ash from the eruption of the Pacaya volcano, May 28, 2010.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Pos)

If you're already afraid of flying, go watch this video of a frolicking baby lamb. If you're feeling tough, enjoy SmarterTravel's picks for the 10 most frightening airports in the world:

  • Barra Airport, Barra, Scotland: The world's only commercial beach airport. "Passengers can expect to arrive safely on one of the three runways (marked by concrete poles) formed when the tide goes out."
  • Wellington International Airport, Wellington, New Zealand: Buffetted by "strong crosswinds that seem to attack landing planes."

  • La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala: Landing, says a pilot, is "startling because you weave your way through a series of volcanoes."
  • Nantucket Memorial Airport, Nantucket, Mass.: Fog city. Says a pilot, "Sometimes you can't see anything until the last second; you break out of the fog, and the plane is landing."
  • Gibraltar Airport, Gibraltar: What's that on the runway? "The main road to Spain."
To see the complete list, which includes New York's LaGuardia, click here.
(More airport stories.)

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