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If the island of St. Maarten is known for anything, it's having one of the most terrifying airplane approaches in the world.

Here's why St. Maarten's airport will soon be less scary


Daniel Martins
Digital Reporter

Friday, October 28, 2016, 3:21 PM - We're sure the beaches are nice and the climate is lovely, but if the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten is known for anything, it's having one of the most terrifying airplane approaches in the world.

The iconic Boeing 747 has been a regular sight at Maho Beach on the island. The airport runway starts so close to the beach, the massive four-engine jetliners come in to land at a VERY low altitude.

It's such an impressive sight that each landing is greeted by tourists with phone cameras at the ready, waiting to get as close to an in-flight jumbo jet as they'll ever get.

Now, the iconic flight is coming to an end, at least with Boeing 747s.

KLM is discontinuing use of that type of aircraft on that route, with the last flight scheduled for October 28. The route will now be served by the smaller Airbus A330 instead.

Still, if you head down to that beach, you're still in for a good show. Popular Mechanics says even smaller planes struggle to make that approach, and the airport occasionally receives charter 747 flights.

SOURCE: Popular Mechanics

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