'I'm a pilot and an expert in dangerous airports - this is how we prepare for landings'

Some of the most beautiful holiday destinations are also home to the world's most airports. One is Lukla Airport in Nepal, which has been commonly referred to as the world's most dangerous airport by sources like Forbes.

The reason for the danger is due to its high altitude, which reduces air density and plane resistance, coupled with a short runway of just 729 feet. Now an experienced pilot and crew training director at a Lithuanian explained how pilots prepare for such hazardous runways.

Zbigniew Mlotkowski, experienced pilot and director of crew training at KlasJet, a Lithuanian airline, told Euronews: "Special procedures are required for each phase of flight, such as approach, landing, and missed approach, which must be executed by pilots if for any reason aircraft cannot land.

"There are usually special procedures designed for such an airport, which allow continuing safe flight even with only one engine operating."

He said that pilots go through rigorous training using a simulator to handle these more dangerous conditions, ensuring safe landings even in bad weather.

Not all pilots are qualified to land at all airports and Category C airports have runways that can only be landed on by experienced pilots who have had this specialised training.

One example closer to home is London City Airport, a Category C airport due to its short runway area and its position in the centre of London, close to the tall buildings of Canary Wharf, thereby making the landing more complex.

For the more complicated and dangerous airports, only the captain is authorised to handle the landing and take-off.

He added: "European regulations require recurrent training both theoretical and practical for pilots every 12 months.

"However, for very complex airports, the validity of such training is reduced to six months, to assure that knowledge and skills are on the highest level.

"All pilots are trained, experienced and well prepared to assure that our job is done safely and professionally. This is our way of life."

Millions travel to Madeira every year, known for its stunning natural landscapes, hiking trails, beaches, cliffs, and natural pools but its airport is also notorious for strong winds and challenging terrain, with one end of the runway built on concrete pillars and the other near cliffs.

Another difficult airport is Gibraltar, known for its short runway and close proximity to the Rock of Gibraltar, making landings more complicated.

There are about 17 European Category C airports, which are considered more challenging to land at and require experienced pilots who have had this simulator training.

These are located in Iceland, Italy, France, Romania, Norway, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, the UK, Greece and Montenegro.

Innsbruck, Gibraltar, Salzburg, Santorini, Sion, Chambéry, Madeira, Mykonos, Annecy, Bern, London City, Lugano, Akureyri, Albenga, Annecy, Bacau, Bardufoss, Calvi, Funchel, Klagenfurt, Samos, Sumburgh and Tivat are all Category C airports.