Courchevel Airport Has Been Operational for 50 Years

Courchevel airport is most famous for featuring in the 1997 James Bond movie ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ with Pierce Brosnan and also being named the 7th most dangerous airport in the world by the History Channel. It has recently celebrated its 50th year in operation. 

The airport is situated at Courchevel 1850 at just above 2000 metres altitude and has one of the shortest runways in the world, at just 1,722 feet long and a steep gradient of 18.5%. Planes take off by running downhill and going off a steep drop off and land by going uphill to help in slowing the aircraft down. 

The approach to the airport is very dangerous and through the mountains and so pilots must pass a specific certification in order to be able to fly into the airport at Courchevel. 

There have been a number of crashes and incidents since the airport opened 50 years ago. In July 2010 a small place crashed on landing and in October 2010 two people were killed when their place crashed on take off into surrounding trees. 

Larger airplanes like Twin Otters and Dash 7’s, which could carry up to 50 people, used to be able to fly into Courchevel airport, but now only smaller Cessna airplanes can land here. 

This week it celebrated its 50th birthday and the luxury Manali hotel (Courchevel 1650) had a hot air balloon at the airport to celebrate the event. 

The airport now serves as the place for the rich and famous to fly into to start their skiing holiday in Courchevel. Various taxi firms offer drop off and pick ups for Courchevel airport transfers. 

The ski runs come down around the airport and one actually goes right underneath the end of the runway.