Madeira Airport, officially known as Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, is perched dramatically near Funchal on Portugal’s stunning Madeira Island. Known for its iconic connection to the famed footballer, this airport is also infamous for being one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its unique and perilous runway conditions.
The Challenge Of Madeira Airport’s Runway
When Madeira Airport first opened, its runway was only 1,600 metres long. It was a short distance, particularly for an airport that handles larger commercial aircraft. However, a tragic accident involving TAP Portugal Flight 425 in 1977 called for immediate attention and rectification.
This incident definitely made it clear how urgent it was to extend the runway. But given Madeira’s difficult topography with steep cliffs and mountainous terrain, it wasn’t a simple feat. Extending the runway would present a special engineering challenge. There simply wasn’t flat land to expand into.
Finally, the Brazilian company Andrade Gutierrez undertook the extraordinary task of designing and constructing an extension for themselves. To extend Madeira Airport’s runway, they constructed a platform suspended over the ocean by 180 pillars, each about 70 metres high. The extraordinary result was recognised globally with the prestigious Outstanding Structures Award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.
Why Is The Runway So Dangerous?
The struggle of making a landing at this runway doesn’t just come from the length. Madeira’s location also contributes to the complexity. While landing on this runway, the aircraft is surrounded by rigged mountains on one side and a vast ocean on the other. This geographical positioning creates unpredictable crosswinds.
For passengers, the landing at Madeira Airport can be an unforgettable experience. While landing, they can soak in a breathtaking view of the coastline, rugged cliffs, and lush green landscapes. However, the plane’s twisting and tilting can be extremely unsettling for people who are afraid of flying. The runway was finally expanded to 2,781 metres long in 2000. However, it still requires skill and accuracy to navigate safely. In fact, to safely handle the challenges, pilots are specially trained and must have at least 200 hours of experience as Captains.
Popularly known as one of the world’s most challenging airports, Madeira is also a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons