Travel
Have You Been To Any Of The 17 WORST Airports in The World?
So worst they should just be called ERRports…
“It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression, ‘As pretty as an airport’.”
― Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Traveling is no doubt an enriching and invaluable experience. It takes us away from the normal hustle-and bustle of our daily lives and allows us to experience new cultures and learn new things. However, before we get to the lovely tourist spots to see the breathtaking sights, we often have to bear the hour-long flights, go through the airport, and endure the never-ending immigration queues. If you’re really lucky, you’ll land in a plush airport with state-of-the-art facilities. The restrooms look immaculate, the ground staff is polite, and most importantly, you have access to a WiFi connection. But we don’t get lucky all the time.
Inevitably, while traveling, you may find yourself in one of the most horrible airports in the world. A horrible airport can have one of the following characteristics: first, the terminal may be poorly maintained, dirty, and stuffy; second, the ground staff are extremely rude, lazy, and inefficient; and lastly, the airport’s location is so perilous that it’ll make you fear for your life. But, some airports are a crazy combination of all three characteristics that they should just be called ERRports.
Proceed next page to see the list of the 17 worst airports in the world, as ranked by travelers.
#17. King Abdulazziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED)
This airport is known for being the biggest airport in Saudi Arabia, and for the exceptionally rude immigration officers. One reviewer stated that the immigration officer prioritized chatting with each other and ignored the long line of exhausted travelers.
#16. Paris Beauvais-Tille International Airport, France (BVA)
A warning to those who want to travel to Paris, be careful when choosing your destination because this airport, which specializes in discount carriers, is actually located 50 miles away from Paris. The airport also hosts arrogant staff who seem to hate tourists. One reviewer described the airport as “cramped, rundown, and not particularly friendly.”
#15. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba Island (SAB)
This airport has the shortest commercial runway in the world, measuring 1300 feet. Saba Island is located off the coast of Venezuela, and landing in its airport is considered to be an art by the tourist website. Such art form involves flying straight towards the cliff and then making a sharp left turn onto the tarmac. You can cross your fingers and close your eyes while the plane lands, and pray that it is not your last plane ride.
#14. Frankfurt Hahn International Airport, Germany (HHN)
The reference to Frankfurt makes unsuspecting flyers choose this airport because of discount fliers. But they’re bound to get the surprise of their lives when they realize that this airport is over seventy miles away from the city. Food stores and amenities are also scarce, so good luck when you encounter delayed flights.
#13. Barra Airport, Scotland (BRR)
Barra is a remote town that is located about 200 miles west of Glasgow. It has a lovely beach that is said to be a great spot for cockle picking. But, this lovely beach also serves as a landing strip. During low tide, that is. During high tide, you might just have to swim for it because the landing strip goes under water. The National Geographic Channel considered it to be one of the most treacherous airports in the world. It has also been considered as the most stunning landing spot. I don’t think you’ll agree to that when you are forced to wade in the mud after deplaning.
#12. Berlin-Tegel International Airport, Germany (TXL)
This outdated and underserviced airport is commonly described as “horrible”. One reviewer commented that, ““Even though the Second World War is over, Germany and France are still fighting over which airport can provide the worst experience for travellers. While Charles De Gaulle in Paris seems to win this war, Tegel is not going down without a fight.”
#11. Gibraltar International Airport (GIB)
I bet you have seen a railway crossing. But they do it differently in Gibraltar. They opted to make a “runway crossing”; a four-lane highway runs straight across the runway. Every time a plane lands or takes off, road barriers come up and block the highway. Thankfully, there are no records of a crash.
#10. Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport , Italy (BGY)
Reviews suggest that this is a minimalist airport. It is a relatively small airport with minimal number of seats and electric sockets. One review states, “AWFUL AIRPORT!!!!!!!! If you need to go or land to Milan, be prepared for delayed flights, xenophobic people and hostile welcome.” That is one irate traveler.
#9. LaGuardia International Airport, New York, USA (LGA)
This airport is a perfect combination of the three worst airport characteristics: inefficiency, deterioration, and danger. The place is worn out, and pilots consider it a dangerous area to land, as it has short runways that end in water. One review mentioned that this airport will make you feel like you’re in a third world country.
#8. Paro International Airport, Bhutan (PBH)
Paro International Airport is situated in a deep valley that is surrounded by 18,000 foot peaks, with houses strewn along the final approach path. It might be an exciting experience to live in one of these houses, which planes miss by only a few feet. This airport is said to be one of the most difficult areas for landing and take-off, and very few pilots have been licensed to fly over it. It’s a long way down if the pilot misses – you’ll have to pay the temples a visit to thank the deities for landing safely.
#7. Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines (MNL)
This airport has been dethroned as the world’s worst airport for three years, after long overdue repairs and renovation have been started. Airconditioning units in NAIA have been known to break down and remain unfixed for months at a minimum, turning the terminal into an instant sauna. The facilities appear drab, and travelers have to endure long queues in the immigration. But you have to give some credit to the airport staff, who are very polite and pleasant.
#6. Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM)
KTM is described by reviewers as “filthy” and “disgusting”. One reviewer warned: “Just make very sure that you never, NEVER need to use the washrooms in this airport.” However, travelers can describe Nepal as a “travel heaven”. But you’ll have to go through “airport hell” first.
#5. Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan (ISB)
Vigilance and patience are a must when you land in ISB. Pakistan is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and their airport is no different. This airport is dirty, and lacks technology, proper crowd control, and consistent security checks. Authorities say a new airport will open in mid-2016. You might want to avoid ISB until then.
#4. Toncotin International Airport , Honduras (TGU)
This airport has one of the shortest runways in the world. With an altitude of 3500 feet, it is surrounded by steep mountains. It is considered to be a travel and navigation nightmare, as planes have to zigzag its way through the final approach. A total of 166 people have died here since 1962, due to air crash accidents. When you decide to travel to Honduras via TGU, you have to be sure about two things: one, that you really want to be there, and two, that you know how to pray.
#3. Tashkent International Airport, Uzbekistan (TAS)
TAS is a cocktail of airport scams, slow immigration officers, luggage delivery mayhem, flight delays, and a stifling terminal. Online reviews describe the nightmare of going through this airport, and they keep on coming. One reviewer said that TAS is the “Worst Airport ever.” Talk about tourism.
#2. Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla, Nepal (LUA)
This airport is situated 9000 feet above sea level, with a landing strip that measures 1500 feet. On one end is a two-mile drop, and its an enormous peak at one end. This may not come as a surprise as Lukla is a jump-off point for those who wish to climb Mt. Everest. LUA has been named as one of the most dangerous airports before, and at least seven “incidents” have been reported in the past ten years. If you have a knack for heights and death-defying airport strips, then this type of landing may just be for you.
#1. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Martin (SXM)
The airport in this small Caribbean island is built relatively close to the shore. This makes swimming in the beach an unforgettable experience. Well, it’s not everyday that an airplane comes dangerously close to plowing a beach full of tourists, right? Reviews describe the place as “awesome”, but there are people who beg to differ. It must be comfortable, though, to stay at a hotel by the beach. I would say you’ll be guaranteed a quiet and peaceful stay.
Have you been to any of these airport? Share this post and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
H/T: TheRichest