World's most scenic airport approaches: Best places to land in 2016

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World's most scenic airport approaches: Best places to land in 2016

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The website PrivateFly.com has revealed its annual Top 10 Airport Approaches. Each year it asks travellers around the world to vote for their favourite places to land, before a panel of judges pick the 10 best. Here are 2016's results.

10. London City Airport (LCY), UK

The judges said: "No other London airport can give better views of the city, with the O2, Canary Wharf, the Gherkin, and more waiting to greet you on arrival."

9. Los Angeles International

"The descent over the mountains takes one from desert to the lush Pacific Coast and on a Westward approach, gives those on the right hand side a birdseye view of downtown, the Hollywood sign and Beverly Hills."

8. St Maarten Princess Juliana International

"An #avgeek's dream vacation because it combines lovely Caribbean beaches with amazing, up-close plane spotting opportunities. Planes ranging from an ATR turboprop to a Boeing 747 fly mere feet over your heat. Photos from St. Maarten look like they're photoshopped - but they're real!" (See video above).

7. Donegal Airport, Ireland

"You arrive in the Emerald Isle adjacent to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world; Carrickfinn with a backdrop of the majestic Mount Errigal on one side and an array of craggy islands on the other. Though clear turquoise blue sea is just a bonus on a sunny day!

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6. Billy Bishop Toronto City

"A spectacular contrast of an island airport in Lake Ontario, set against the backdrop of Canada's largest city."

5. Saba (Juancho e Irausquin)

"Restricted due to its status as the world's shortest commercial runway to captains-only landings. But don't spend too much time watching the pilot work because you don't want to miss the magnificent views of the sea and the tiny mountainous island and the fleeting glimpse of the teeny tiny landing strip on which you will come to an abrupt stop."

4. Barra, Scotland

"A unique opportunity to land on a tidal beach runway, this really is an out-of-this-world arrival into Scotland's outer Hebrides."

3. Queenstown, New Zealand

"A world class approach to a world class destination. The snatched panoramas as you descend into this hitherto barren-looking landscape makes you realise that pilots do get the best views."

2. Nice Cote d'Azur, France

"Landing in NCE in the summer and seeing the scenery always puts a smile on my face."

1. Malta

"Approached from a churning blue sea, the tiny, isolated rocky island nation suddenly appears and you immediately understand Malta's strategic geo-political importance for literally millennia by sea and later air in the middle of the Mediterranean."

Scenic airport approaches that didn't make this year's top 10...

Courchevel

Standing 2010 metres high and enveloped by the French Alps, the highest tarmacked runway in Europe is found in the ski resort of Courchevel, and it might just be the best in the world to land at, says travel writer John O'Ceallaigh.

Cape Town

It came 10th in last year's rankings. Visitors can expect great views of Table Mountain.

Gibraltar

Not for those with faint hearts. Landing at 'The Rock' requires a lot of skill (and adverse weather conditions often redirect flights to Malaga). It came 8th in 2015.

Las Vegas McCarran

Second place last year. "Arriving at night makes the Las Vegas strip look like some type of miniature recreation," said one of the judges. "It is always worth a window seat."

Paro Airport, Bhutan

It has a truly unique approach, with a touchdown between two valleys, and came 4th back in 2013.

The &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve Airstrip, South Africa

The strip is said to be checked for lions and elephants before landing. It came 6th in 2013.

Mustique

Travellers said landing at Mustique Airport in St Vincent & The Grenadines, ninth in 2013, feels like "you might be about to mow the grass on the hilltop as you skim down to the runway".

Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming

Set against a backdrop of the Teton Mountains, it came third in the PrivateFly poll back in 2012.

Male Airport, The Maldives

Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and offering scenic views of the archipelago, this came fifth in 2012.

St Barts

Voted sixth in 2012. With a runway length of just 650 metres, it does not cater to international flights - only scheduled and private charter propeller services. With very tight angles, hills, unusual wind conditions and the short landing strip to negotiate, it is a very challenging descent, with only the most qualified and highly-trained pilots able to land there.

Narvik Airport

Found within the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, it came ninth in 2012. It was built in 1972 and originally used as a military airport. The approach offers stunning views of the wintry landscape.

Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport

In the Lesser Antilles, it came 5th in 2014. "The cliffs on the north side with the surf hitting against them are postcard perfect," said a judge. "I have been to Aruba 39 times, and my heart still keeps a beat at these views".

Rio de Janeiro

The Brazilian airport took 6th place in 2014. "The view of The Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Guanabara Bay are breathtaking," said one judge. "It's a wonderful combination of rock formations, beaches, forest and city".

Squamish, Canada

It finished 8th in 2014. "Nestled in the Coast Mountains of BC between Whistler and the Pacific Ocean, its a beauty you must witness to appreciate," argued a judge. "Whether seeing a black bear and cubs crossing the runway or you're soaring with the bald eagles (Brackendale = Eagle capital of the world), Squamish is truly a majestic gem".

Take a look at why these airports are so spectacular in the gallery above.

The Telegraph, London

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