Nestled between towering Himalayan peaks and residential areas, Paro International Airport in Bhutan is one of the world’s most notorious airstrips. Its treacherous approach, requiring pilots to navigate between 18,000-foot mountains, has earned a reputation for its extreme challenges.
Only a select group of 50 jet jockeys worldwide possess the skill to master the demanding manoeuvres needed to land at Paro. The small, 7,431-foot-long runway, accessible only to smaller aircraft, necessitates specialized training and the ability to land without radar guidance. Even a minor miscalculation could result in a plane crashing into a nearby home.
Category C qualified pilots who can successfully land at Paro are celebrated as aviation daredevils, earning a reputation akin to the legendary Maverick from “Top Gun.”