Ruth Haines
Madeira Airport, also known as Funchal Airport, is an international airport in the civil parish of Santa Cruz in the Portuguese archipelago and autonomous region of Madeira. The airport is located 13.2 km (8.2 mi) east-northeast of the regional capital, Funchal. Madeira Airport is known for its unique runway design, featuring steep dropoffs at either end, with one end placed on a platform supported by pillars above the ocean. The airport has undergone several renovations and extensions to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing tourism demand. It is named after footballer and Madeiran native Cristiano Ronaldo, officially renamed in 2017.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Madeira Airport (Portuguese: Aeroporto da Madeira) |
| IATA Code | FNC |
| ICAO Code | LPMA |
| Location | Civil parish of Santa Cruz, Portuguese archipelago and autonomous region of Madeira |
| Distance from Funchal | 13.2 km (8.2 mi) east-northeast |
| Runway Length | 2,781 m (9,124 ft) |
| Runway Type | Tabletop runway with steep dropoffs at either end |
| Runway Designation | 05/23 |
| Inauguration | 7 July 1964 |
| Renovation | New 1,800 sq. m. commercial gallery inaugurated in 2016 |
| Certifications | ACA 4+ certification (highest in ACI's environmental assessment programme) |
| Nickname | "Kai Tak Airport of Europe" due to the ~150° right-hand turn required for landing |
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What You'll Learn
Madeira Airport's runway
Madeira Airport, also known as Funchal Airport, is located on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The airport is perched on a foreland jutting out to sea, with hills and cliffs at the end of runway 05 making a direct ILS approach and landing unavailable. This geographical uniqueness has earned the airport the nickname "Kai Tak Airport of Europe", a reference to the former airport of Hong Kong that also required a right-hand turn to line up for landing very close to the runway.
The airport's runway, designated 05/23, is a tabletop runway, featuring steep dropoffs at either end. Runway 05 ends just before a motorway that winds around it, while Runway 23 ends abruptly 60 metres above the sea on a platform supported by pillars, resembling a beam bridge. The runway has undergone several extensions over the years to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing tourism demand. It was initially only 1,600 metres (5,200 feet) long when the airport opened in 1964, but it was extended to 1,800 metres (5,900 feet) in the 1980s.
In 2000, the runway underwent a significant expansion, extending to 2,781 metres (9,124 feet). This extension was particularly challenging due to the terrain and was built on a platform, partially over the ocean, supported by 180 columns, each about 70 metres (230 feet) tall. The extension was carried out by the Brazilian construction company Andrade Gutierrez and is recognised as one of the most difficult engineering feats in the world.
The challenging approach to Madeira Airport has been a topic of discussion among pilots and passengers alike. Some describe the experience as terrifying, while others find it fascinating. The airport has implemented improvements to enhance the passenger experience, including increasing the passenger screening and holding areas and simplifying the layout for Schengen and non-Schengen area passengers. Despite the challenges, Madeira Airport has been praised for its impressive architectural achievements, even winning the Outstanding Structure Award in 2004.
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The airport's history
Madeira Airport, formerly known as Santa Catarina Airport, is located on the island of Madeira, 13.2 km (8.2 mi) east-northeast of the regional capital, Funchal. The airport, which is named after footballer and Madeiran native Cristiano Ronaldo, is known for its spectacular runway construction and has been ranked as one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its location and unique approach requirements.
The airport officially opened on July 7, 1964, with a single 1,600-meter (5,200-foot) runway. The first flight to land at the airport was a TAP Air Portugal Lockheed Constellation with 80 passengers on board. In the early years, the airport was infamously known for its short runway, which, surrounded by high mountains and the ocean, made it a challenging landing even for experienced pilots.
As the popularity of visiting the island of Madeira increased in the 1970s, it became evident that the airport was not large enough to accommodate the growing demand. Expansion plans were considered, and in 1973, a new terminal was opened, with a yearly capacity of 500,000 passengers. However, the runway remained a concern, and in 1972 it was extended to allow modern and larger aircraft to land.
Between 1982 and 1986, a few years after the TAP Air Portugal Flight 425 crash in 1977, the runway was extended further by 200 meters (656 feet) to a total of 1,800 meters (5,906 feet). This extension was inaugurated in 1986 by the then-president of the Portuguese Republic, António Ramalho Eanes. As landfill was not a viable option due to the airport's location, the extension was built on a platform, partly over the ocean, supported by 180 columns, each about 70 meters (230 feet) tall.
In 2000, the runway was extended once more, this time reaching a length of 2,781 meters (9,124 feet). The newly extended runway and terminal were inaugurated on October 6, 2002, with a special landing by an Air Atlanta Icelandic Boeing 747-200. This extension addressed the increasing demand for tourism and ensured that the airport could accommodate all types of aircraft.
In recent years, the airport has undergone renovations to improve the passenger experience, including expanding the passenger screening and holding areas, creating defined spaces for Schengen and non-Schengen area passengers, and adding a new transfer hall and departure gates. In 2017, the airport was officially renamed Madeira International Airport Cristiano Ronaldo, honouring the famous Madeiran football player.
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Its location
Madeira Airport (Portuguese: Aeroporto da Madeira), also known as Funchal Airport, is located in the civil parish of Santa Cruz in the Portuguese archipelago and autonomous region of Madeira. The airport is situated 13.2 km (8.2 mi) east-northeast of the regional capital, Funchal, which lends its name to the airport's IATA code: FNC and ICAO code: LPMA.
The airport's runway, designated 05/23, is unique in its design. It features a tabletop layout, with steep dropoffs at both ends—including a cliff at the start of Runway 23. This runway sits atop a platform supported by pillars, resembling a beam bridge. The runway has undergone several extensions over the years to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing tourism demand. As of 2002, it measures 2,781 m (9,124 ft) in length.
The airport's location on a hillside, with both ends of the runway extending over the ocean, has earned it a reputation for challenging approaches. Aircraft approaching the airport must execute a visual manoeuvre, circling around before making a sharp ~150° right-hand turn for final approach. This has drawn comparisons to the former Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, known for its low and close approaches to the runway.
Funchal Airport has undergone significant renovations and investments to enhance its facilities. The passenger screening and holding areas have been expanded, improving the flow of passengers and creating defined spaces for Schengen and non-Schengen area travellers. The airport has also received environmental certifications, recognising its efforts to balance direct emissions.
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Passenger experience
Madeira Airport (FNC) is the only airport serving the island of Madeira, which is located 11 miles from the island's capital, Funchal. The airport has a unique tabletop runway design, with steep drop-offs at both ends. The runway is placed on a platform supported by pillars, similar to a beam bridge, and surrounded by high mountains and the ocean. This design, coupled with the demanding approach path, has earned the airport the nickname "Kai Tak Airport of Europe", a reference to the former airport in Hong Kong known for its challenging landing conditions.
The passenger experience at Madeira Airport has been a focus of recent renovations. The passenger screening area has been expanded to 16,000 sq ft, allowing for more security screening lines and a streamlined process for both Schengen and non-Schengen area passengers. The renovation also included the addition of a new transfer hall and three new departure gates, improving passenger flow and convenience.
The airport has undergone several extensions to accommodate increasing tourism and larger aircraft. The runway was initially 1,600 metres long when the airport opened in 1964. It was extended to 1,800 metres in 1986 and further lengthened to 2,781 metres in 2000, along with the construction of a new terminal in 1973. The latest extension was built on a platform partially over the ocean, supported by 180 columns, each about 70 metres tall.
In terms of airlines, TAP Air Portugal is the most popular carrier for flights to and from Madeira. They offer 98 connecting flights per week and were the first airline to land at the airport in 1964. However, the best airline for your specific needs may vary depending on factors such as price, convenience, loyalty programs, flexibility, and booking terms.
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The airport's environmental certifications
Madeira Airport, also known as Madeira International Airport, is located in the civil parish of Santa Cruz in the Portuguese archipelago and autonomous region of Madeira. It is the fourth-busiest airport in Portugal, named after footballer and Madeiran native Cristiano Ronaldo.
The airport has received several environmental certifications and recognitions for its sustainability efforts. Here is an overview of its environmental certifications:
Airport Carbon Accreditation:
Madeira Airport has achieved Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, the highest level of certification in carbon management. This program is designed to recognise and accredit airports that actively manage and reduce their carbon emissions. Achieving Level 5 demonstrates the airport's commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainability.
Eurocontrol Collaborative Environmental Management (CEM):
Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, promotes Collaborative Environmental Management (CEM) to minimise the environmental impact of airport operations. Madeira Airport has likely implemented generic, high-level requirements and recommended practices established by Eurocontrol to reduce its environmental footprint.
Green Building Rating Standards (GBRS):
The airport has also focused on sustainable construction and infrastructure. While it is unclear if the airport has attained specific GBRS certifications, it has likely adopted state-of-the-art valuation programs that address water and energy consumption, land use, contaminants, and waste management. These standards ensure that the airport's buildings and infrastructure are designed and operated with sustainability in mind.
UNE-EN ISO 14001:
Madeira Airport, along with almost all other airports and air traffic control centres, has likely implemented an environmental management system that conforms to UNE-EN ISO 14001. This standard provides a framework for the airport to manage its environmental responsibilities and continuously improve its environmental performance.
These certifications and initiatives demonstrate Madeira Airport's commitment to environmental sustainability and its efforts to minimise the ecological impact of its operations. By achieving these certifications, the airport sets a standard for other aviation industry players and contributes to the global goal of sustainable aviation.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport on Madeira Island is called Madeira Airport, but it has also been called Funchal Airport, Santa Catarina Airport and Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.
The IATA airport code for Madeira Airport is FNC and the ICAO code is LPMA.
Madeira Airport was officially opened on 7 July 1964.
The runway at Madeira Airport has been extended several times since its opening. As of 2002, the runway is 2,781 m (9,124 ft) long.
Madeira Airport is known for its short runway, which is located on a tabletop runway with steep dropoffs at either end. The airport has been nicknamed the "Kai Tak Airport of Europe" due to the ~150° right-hand turn required for landing.
