Why Only 24 Pilots Can Land at Paro International Airport, Bhutan

Why Paro International Airport in Bhutan is One of the Toughest Landings on Earth

Imagine being one of the best pilots in the world—years of experience, thousands of flights, and nerves of steel. But when it comes to landing at Paro International Airport in Bhutan, even the most seasoned aviators need special training. Why? Because this airport is one of the most dangerous and technically challenging in the world.

Nestled in a valley at 7,333 feet above sea level, surrounded by mountains towering over 16,000 feet, and with no instrument landing system (ILS) to guide the way, Paro is not for the faint of heart. It’s so difficult that only about 24 pilots in the world are certified to land here. If you’ve ever flown into an airport and thought your landing was rough, buckle up—this one takes precision flying to an entirely new level.

What Makes Paro International Airport So Dangerous?

1. Extreme Mountain Terrain—A Twisted Approach

Unlike most airports, where pilots can glide in smoothly on a straight path, landing at Paro requires navigating through a maze of sharp mountain ridges and deep valleys. The approach involves:

✅ Flying over a river at 12,000 feet, making precise altitude adjustments.
✅ Weaving through a tight valley while avoiding obstacles—including sacred sites where flying too low is forbidden.
✅ A sharp, near 45-degree turn around a ridge just seconds before the runway becomes visible.

One wrong move? You’re crashing into the Himalayas. It’s basically the aviation equivalent of threading a needle—at 160 mph.

2. No Instrument Landing System (ILS) – Just Your Eyes

Most modern airports have an ILS, which allows pilots to rely on automated systems to guide them in. Paro? Nope.

Instead, pilots must rely completely on visual cues and a single VOR (a basic radio beacon) to help navigate. That means:

🚫 No autopilot assistance.
🚫 No electronic guidance to show altitude or glide slope.
🚫 If the weather is bad or visibility is low, no landing at all.

Essentially, if you can’t see it, you can’t land. This is why flights only operate during daylight hours and in near-perfect weather conditions.

3. Short Runway + High Altitude = Zero Room for Error

At 7,439 feet long, Paro’s runway isn’t short by normal standards, but considering its high altitude, it feels much shorter.

💨 The thin air at 7,333 feet above sea level makes it harder for planes to generate lift.
🛬 That means landings must be precise—no bouncing, no overshooting, no mistakes.
🛫 Takeoffs require longer acceleration, and pilots must be careful not to stall.

The combination of high altitude, a short runway, and unpredictable winds makes every takeoff and landing a calculated risk.

4. Insane Wind and Sudden Turbulence

Those majestic mountains surrounding Paro? They don’t just make for a scenic view—they create brutal wind currents that can make landings a nightmare.

🌬️ Strong crosswinds push aircraft off course.
🌪️ Sudden turbulence can make the plane feel like it’s dropping out of the sky.
🚀 Pilots must be constantly correcting their course to avoid smashing into a ridge.

It’s the aviation version of driving through an earthquake while trying to park in a tiny garage.

Why Only 24 Pilots Are Allowed to Land Here

The reason so few pilots are certified to land at Paro comes down to one thing: insane training requirements.

🛫 Simulator Training – Pilots start in high-tech flight simulators to get a feel for the approach.
📚 Classroom Instruction – They learn every single visual waypoint needed to navigate the valley.
✈️ Supervised Flights – A new pilot must complete at least 30 supervised takeoffs and landings before being certified.

Even experienced airline captains have to train for months before they’re allowed to attempt Paro. For new pilots, certification can take up to a year.

To put it in perspective, a typical commercial airport requires nothing close to this level of training. Landing at Paro is like performing a quadruple backflip on ice skates—only the best of the best can do it.

The Approach: What Pilots Actually Have to Do

Paro’s approach isn’t just difficult—it’s downright terrifying. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what pilots go through:

1. Fly Over the River at 12,000 Feet

Pilots must hit this waypoint precisely—too high, and they won’t be able to descend in time; too low, and they’ll be too close to the ridges.

2. Navigate the Valley Without Crashing

Unlike normal airports where you get a clear, straight path, Paro forces pilots to:

❌ Weave through tight mountain passes.
❌ Make steep descents while avoiding turbulence.
❌ Constantly adjust altitude and speed based on the terrain.

3. Sharp Turn Just Before the Runway

The final approach isn’t even visible until moments before touchdown. Pilots must:

🔄 Make a sharp left turn around a ridge while descending.
🔍 Spot the runway instantly and line up the aircraft.
💨 Fight unpredictable winds and turbulence while making last-second adjustments.

This is one of the most stressful moments in aviation, and only the world’s top pilots are trusted to pull it off.

No Night Landings – Too Dangerous

Because Paro relies entirely on visual cues, pilots are not allowed to land here at night.

🌑 No runway lights – The valley is pitch black.
🌫️ No electronic guidance – You’d be flying blind.
❌ One mistake = disaster – A single miscalculation could mean slamming into a mountain.

For the same reason, landings aren’t allowed during certain months in the afternoon, because the wind conditions become too unpredictable.

The Ultimate Test of Skill

Flying into Paro International Airport isn’t just a routine landing—it’s a white-knuckle test of aviation mastery. With razor-thin margins for error, unpredictable winds, and mountains closing in from all sides, even the world’s best pilots need nerves of steel to pull it off.

While most travelers worry about flight delays and turbulence, landing at Paro means trusting one of just 24 pilots in the world who have earned the privilege to touch down here. It’s a reminder that not all runways are created equal—some demand absolute perfection.

So, if you ever find yourself flying into Bhutan, buckle up, hold your breath, and enjoy the ride—because you're about to experience one of the most legendary landings on Earth. And if you make it safely? Maybe buy your pilot a drink. They’ve earned it.

🚀 Stay tuned for more high-flying travel stories at Woke Waves Magazine!

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