Airplane landings and takeoffs have never been easy, but certain scenarios make these tasks the most dangerous ones. High altitudes, short runways, weather conditions and the surrounding locations are some of the reasons that make certain airport runways the most dangerous of the world.

Here are 4 of the most dangerous airport runways in the world:

1. Qamdo Bamda Airport, Tibet (China): Qamdo Bamda Airport is located at an elevation of 4,334 meters above the sea level. It also has the longest runway in the world which measures about 5.5 kilometers. The reason for building up such a long runway is that the airport is located in the world’s highest mountain ranges, the Himalayas and the aircraft experiences reduction in the engine and lift performances thus requiring higher lift off speeds. It is advised to move slowly when leaving the plane as the thin air outside can make passengers feel light headed and dizzy. 

2. Juancho E Yrausquin Airport, Saba Island: This airport located on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has the shortest commercial runways in the world, measuring only 400 meters. Due to its physical location, Juancho E Yrausquin Airport is considered to be one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The runway is bounded on one side by high hills that have cliffs dropping into the sea at both ends. Only regional airline propeller aircraft that are authorized by Netherlands Antilles' Civil Aviation Authority are allowed to land here.

3. Gustaf III Airport, Saint Barthelemy: Also known as Saint Barthélemy Airport, this public use airport is located in the Caribbean island’s second largest town, St. Jean. The runway is actually a hill slope which ends directly on the beach. There are small signs that advise sunbathers to stay away from lying at the end of runway. This is because the departing aircraft take off right from this place, flying right over the heads of sunbathers! 

4. Paro Airport, Bhutan: Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan and is included in one of the dangerous airports in the world. It is nestled in the sharp peaks of Himalayan Mountains that are more than 18,000 feet tall. Only a handful of pilots in the world are qualified to land at this airport. The plane has to weave through the scattered houses and flies only a few feet above their roofs. The flights are restricted to daylight hours only and no airplane is allowed from sunset till sunrise.