Our list of 11 Highest Airports in the World is bound to catch you by surprise. There is a long list of airports in the world located at higher altitudes. If you have traveled around the world, you must have landed on one of these. One common thing about all these airports is that they are all located in some of the most jaw-dropping locations. Mostly covered with mountains, these airports are a great spectacle and extremely pleasing to eyes. China, in particular has a large number of airports located at high altitudes. Other countries include Nepal, Bolivia, and Peru.
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There is no doubt about the fact that these airports look great but there could be some technical difficulties while landing or taking off at such high altitudes. Aircraft with special tires are required in order to handle high speeds while landing and taking off. Since this requires modification of the aircraft, some airlines may refrain from providing their services to these airports. Furthermore, as we go higher the pressure gets lower. This is why the wind is a lot thinner and less dense at higher altitudes. Aircraft need denser air to perform better, which is why taking off or landing could be a bit of trouble. Since there is less resistance due to low wind pressure at high altitudes, the aircraft can take longer than usual to slow down, which is why runways are a lot longer.
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Most of these highest airports lie around big mountains. The descents are pretty short and before you know it you will see the plane touching the ground. Like mentioned above there is a long list of these airports around the world. You may know about them or might even have one in your own country, but very few of us know which ones are at the highest altitude. We put together some of the highest airports in terms of altitude and made a list of the 11 highest in the world.
11. Simikot Airport.
In our list of highest airports in the world, Simikot in Nepal stands at number eleven. The airport is located at an altitude of 2,818 meters.
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10. Juana Azurduy De Padilla Airport.
Situated in the city of Sucre in Bolivia, Juana Azurduy De Padilla Airport stands amongst the highest airports in the world at an altitude of over 2,900 meters.
9. Teniente Coronel Luis A Mantilla Airport.
Located in one of the most scenic locations, Teniente Coronel Luis A Mantilla Airport is also considered as one of the most beautiful airports. It is situated in the city of Tulcan in Ecuador at an altitude of 2,941.
8. Manang Airport.
Manang Airport is located at an altitude of over 3,353 meters in the city of Manang in Nepal. Due to its difficult landing terrains only a few airlines are operational here.
7. Andahuaylas Airport.
One of the highest airports in the world Andahuaylas is located in the city of Andahuaylas in Peru. The airport stands at an altitude of 3,444 meters and has one of the most dangerous runways.
6. Syangboche Airport.
Syangboche Airport stands at number 6 in our list of 11 Highest Airports in the World. The airport is situated in the city of Syangboche in Nepal and stands at an altitude of 3,752 meters.
5. Juliaca Airport.
Built at an altitude of 3,826 meters, Juliaca Airport in Peru is probably the busiest airports in the list. Pilots require special training to land and take off from this airport.
4. Yushu Batang Airport.
Situated in the city of Yushu in China, Yushu Batang Airport is located at an altitude of almost 4,000 meters. This airport has helped a great deal in providing supplies to the Yushu earthquake victims.
3. Lhasa Gonggar Airport.
Located in the city of Lhasa in China, Lhasa-Gonggar stands at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. Building an airport at such height and under the extreme weather was not easy but it was successfully completed in 1965.
2. El Alto Intl Airport.
Located in the city of La Paz in Bolivia, El Alto Intl was modernized in the 1960s. The airport stands at an amazing height of 4,061 meters.
1. Qamdo Bangda Airport.
Number one on our list of 11 Highest Airports in The World is Qamdo Bangda Airport. China already contains a long list of airports on high altitudes and the highest airport in the world is also located in the same country. Located in the city of Bangda the airport stands at an altitude of 4,334 meters, which is the highest in the world.
