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Navigating the skies can be a bumpy experience, especially when flying into some of the world’s most turbulent airports.
A 2024 ranking by Turbli, a turbulence forecast tool, identified the 10 most turbulence-prone airports, with data compiled from approximately 550 of the largest airports worldwide. The findings focus on turbulence during approach and descent rather than takeoff or landing, which are primarily impacted by crosswinds, Turbli explains.
Turbulence can be measured by the eddy dissipation rate (EDR), a numerical representation of the intensity of the turbulence. Turbli categorizes turbulence levels from light (0-20 EDR), or moderate (20-40), to strong (40-60), severe (60-80) and extreme (80-100).
Dan Bubb, a historian and former airline pilot who is also a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Newsweek: “The eddy dissipation rate is the rate at which energy dissipates in the atmosphere. It numerically measures the intensity of the turbulence. This will let pilots know whether the turbulence is light, moderate or severe.”
Why Are These Airports So Turbulent?
Bubb attributes much of the turbulence to geography and terrain. “Terrain certainly is a factor in generating air turbulence, especially mountainous regions,” the former airline pilot said.
Airports like Santiago (SCL), Kathmandu (KTM) and Paro (PBH) are located in or near mountainous areas, where air currents interact with ground obstacles such as rocks, trees and ridges, often causing friction and turbulence.
Similarly, Bubb noted that urban environments can produce turbulent conditions when air currents encounter tall buildings and other structures on windy days.
“Geographic location has much to do with why these airports are challenging for pilots, especially in windy conditions,” he said. “So do weather fronts. Unstable air—usually associated with thunderstorms—also can be turbulent.”
The Challenges Pilots Face
Flying into these airports often requires specialized training. Bubb said that pilots operating in these conditions must undergo additional instruction to demonstrate their ability to manage the challenging environment.
The professor noted that pilots who fly in and out of airports such as the ones listed in Turbli’s rankings “must undergo additional training and receive an endorsement from an instructor.”
For instance, Ketchikan International Airport in Alaska is known for its strong crosswinds and relatively short runway. Pilots flying there must receive a special endorsement, Bubb said.
The Role of Air Traffic Control
Weather conditions and wind shear add further complexities to these turbulent airports. Bubb emphasized the importance of communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.
“Oftentimes, air traffic controllers will alert pilots if there is any wind shear on approach to landing on runways. This enables pilots to be prepared in case they are unable to land and must go around to set up for another approach and landing,” the former airline pilot said.
10 Most Turbulent Airports of 2024
- Santiago International Airport, Santiago, Chile (IATA airport code SCL) – average turbulence of 23.065 (EDR)
- Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport, Mendoza, Argentina (MDZ) – 22.755
- Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport, Salta, Argentina (SLA) – 20.407
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM) – 18.691
- Lhasa Gonggar Airport, China (LXA) – 18.168
- Paro International Airport, Bhutan (PBH) – 18.128
- Xining Caojiapu Airport, China (XNN) – 17.930
- Denver International Airport, Colorado, U.S. (DEN) – 17.290
- Kabul International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan (KBL) – 17.206
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Montana, U.S. (BZN) – 17.082
Source: The ranking is based on airports with the highest average turbulence according to the eddy dissipation rate (EDR) in Turbli’s 2024 survey of around 550 of the world’s largest airports.
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