Lugano: a steep drop over the lake
A short runway between lake and mountains, approached steeply from the south — crews need special training.
Lugano: a steep drop over the lake
Lugano Airport · RWY 01
Why it is famous
Lugano Airport sits at the northern end of Lake Lugano, surrounded by mountains. Approaches to runway 01 come in from the south over the lake on a steep glide path, and the runway is only about 4,400 feet long, so crews need airport-specific training and aircraft need suitable performance.
The jet-set angle
Lugano serves Switzerland’s Italian-speaking financial centre and the lakes; light and midsize jets are common, while larger jets are limited by the runway.
What to watch
- The lake beneath the approach
- Mountains rising close on both sides
- How steep the final descent is
More legendary approaches
St Barts: the drop over the hill
Clear a ridge with a roundabout on top, dive for a runway barely 2,100 feet long and stop before the beach — one of the most famous landings in the world.
St Maarten: low over Maho Beach
The approach that made plane-spotting famous: a three-degree final that crosses Maho Beach moments before touchdown.
London City: the 5.5° dive past Canary Wharf
A glide path almost twice as steep as normal, between skyscrapers and the Thames — only specially approved aircraft may fly it.