Which airports are captains only landing in Europe?

Gibraltar is not your average airport, only captains can land there. It is a category C airport, meaning it's a little more challenging than most approaches in Europe.



In Europe, several airports are designated as Category C, meaning they require special training and often mandate that only the Captain (Pilot-in-Command) performs the landing due to significant environmental or structural challenges. Innsbruck (INN) in Austria is a prime example, requiring a steep approach through a narrow Alpine valley with high risk of windshear. Gibraltar (GIB) is famous for its short runway that is bisected by a public road and subject to "rock" induced turbulence. London City (LCY) requires a specialized 5.5-degree steep approach to avoid surrounding skyscrapers like Canary Wharf. Other notable "Captain-only" or highly restricted airports include Funchal (Madeira), known for its extreme crosswinds and runway built on stilts over the ocean; Santorini (JTR), which has a narrow, sloped runway; and Sion (SIR) in Switzerland, which demands a deep descent into a mountain-ringed basin. These airports require simulators and specific "check-rides" before a pilot is permitted to land a commercial jet there.

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