The Magic of Madeira by Mark Nutter

Madeira is approximately 3 hours 30 mins flying time from the UK and is located 150 miles North West of the Canary Islands.

Madeira is an Autonomous Region of Portugal and an all year round tourist destination with temperatures averaging 20-25C thus earning its nickname of "The Island of Eternal Springtime" and is of course famous for the wine that bears the Islands name.

Madeira is very accessible from the UK with charter flights leaving from most UK airports, including Manchester – be it a package holiday or a trip booked independently it's very easy to arrange.  From Manchester it's currently served by Jet2, Easyjet and TUI.

The Airport on the Island of Madeira is located at it’s Capital City in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

The Airport’s official name is Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira Airport, although it is probably better known to most of us as Funchal Airport.  I will therefore continue to refer to it as Funchal in the rest of this article.  The airport codes are FNC / LPMA.

Funchal has a single runway 05/23 and is well known for it’s spectacular curved approach to Runway 05 (similar to the 13 Approach at the former Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong).  Being built on the side of a cliff, it was once known as “one of the worlds most dangerous”  due to the short length of the Runway and shear drop at the end of it!

It's still a Captain only take off and landing, requiring special training and a qualification to operate into the airport.

Madeira is a mountainous island and as a consequence Funchal airport is susceptible to windshear on final approach with many last minute go-arounds and some extremely “interesting” final approaches.

The runway was first extended in 1986, with a second extension in 2000.  Both times the works were to the east and west, but mostly to the eastern side in 2000 with the runway jutting out into the sea supported by 180 columns.  The length of the runway is now a very acceptable 2781m / 9124 feet.

For the photographer you are able to gain access to various vantage points on the hillside where some quite unique “close up” photos can be taken looking down on the Runway.  

Most of the tourist accommodation on the island is based around the Lido area of Funchal located just west of the capital. The airport is very easily reached from here by the frequent Aerobus service.

The Aerobus runs from early in the morning to late in the evening and costs €8 for a return ticket (Valid for 1 year from issue) or €5 for a one way ticket.  The journey takes approximately 40 mins.

Car hire is popular (Madeira is a great place to explore) and  is highly recommended both for the Tourist and Spotter / Photographer, especially if you want to get some of the spectacular approach / departure shots from the adjacent hill at the other side of the Terminal.

There are plenty of free parking spaces in the many laybys on the ER207 (Santa Catarina) road which is up on the high ground to the North of the airport, this offers fantastic views of the comings and goings and is one of the most popular places for the friendly locals to watch the aircraft.  It's located approximately 20 minute walk from the passenger terminal building and is best for photography in the late afternoon and  early evening and offers a great view of the apron and arrivals or departures regardless of the Runway in use.

There are also plenty of paths climbing the hill which give you various views well above the fenceline.  The good news is that there are numerous local cafes and a petrol station for drinks and snacks all close by to ensure you can keep topped up with water and fuel!

However, one of the most spectacular viewing areas is on the pedestrian bridge over the motorway where you can say “Hi” to the captain lining up on Runway 23 (exit Agua de Pena Sports Park).

Funchal Airport is one of the few airports left in Europe (if not the world) with a fantastic free Landside Viewing terrace.  All aircraft park nose in and there are great views of landings and take-offs on runway 05/23.  The terrace stretches the whole length of the terminal building – one part landside one part airside.  There are toilets next to the viewing terrace and a reasonably priced cafe serving drinks and snacks. It’s best for photography in the mornings and early afternoon.

The Car Park for the Cargo Terminal has a public area.  Although next to the passenger terminal it also offers a fantastic view of aircraft making the curved final approach with the mountains as a spectacular backdrop, but being lower down doesn't offer a view of the apron.  There are vending machines and toilets for public use.  The light is best here for photography during the mornings and early afternoon.

Aircraft to be seen at Funchal include the many daily flights operated by the Portuguese flag carrier TAP operating mainly A319, 320 and 321's.  Occasionally, the TAP widebodied A330’s will operate, usually for Christmas /  New Year holidays or to catch-up if there's been several cancelled flights due to the bad weather (usually strong winds) at Funchal.

The general charter traffic for tourists include B737NG's of Jet2, Norwegian, Luxair, Eurowings, Transavia and TUI of the UK, Germany and Belgium.

Condor, Easyjet, Edelweiss, Lufthansa, Finnair, Eurowings, Volotea, SAS, Scandinavia, Brussels Airlines and SATA Azores are all frequent operators with various Airbus types.

Also operating are B757's of Jet2 and Condor, as well as Dash-8 400Q's of SATA Azores.

ATR-72's of Binter (which operate the short hop to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo) and daily cargo flights from the mainland operated by Swift  ATR-42’s, but mostly ATR-72’s.  If you’re unlucky, a divert away due wind to Porto Santo can and does happen!

For the military enthusiast, there are occasional visits by Portuguese Air force Casa 295's.  A varied selection of Biz Jets also visit most days.

Traffic wise, the airport is quite busy with two daily rushes around lunchtime and late afternoon / early evening with Monday being the busiest day followed by Friday.  Thursday tends to be German “change over day” and Sunday usually the quietest day of week.

Madeira is a very friendly and safe island which comes virtually crime free.  Whilst it may not currently be at the top of your “must go” destinations as an aviation photographer, it certainly should be, having a 5 star rating for photo locations!

Local Spotters have a Facebook group Asas Maderia which is worth joining before your visit.  For the Photographer go to:- https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/europe/portugal/funchal-fnc-lpma/