Madeira's Cristiano Ronaldo Airport has a reputation as one of Europe's most challenging runways, but a passenger who flew there with easyJet found the experience less dramatic than expected.
The airport sits on the edge of the island, with a runway flanked by cliffs and the ocean. Crosswinds make approaches difficult, so only pilots with specialist training are allowed to take off and land there. The runway is built on a bridge, with a sudden drop at the end and a highway below.
Passenger's experience
The traveller, who flew with easyJet, said the landing did not feel particularly bumpy or hair-raising, possibly due to favourable weather. The only noticeable difference was a sharp curved approach as the plane neared the island, which caused belongings to slide towards the middle seat.
Take-off was memorable for the views rather than any fear. Seated on the right side of the plane, the passenger enjoyed views of the island and the ocean. Pilots manoeuvre the plane at a sharp turn by the ocean before take-off, which briefly raised concerns about overshooting, but the departure proceeded smoothly.
Runway history and upgrades
The airport was previously known for its short runway, which has been extended twice. In 1977, TAP Flight 425, a Boeing 727, overran the runway and crashed onto the beach, killing 131 people. After that, authorities extended the runway out over the Atlantic Ocean, supported by concrete pillars.
The runway is now approximately 9,124ft long, compared with an average commercial runway length of 8,000-13,000ft. Several airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air, operate flights there, reflecting the island's popularity with holidaymakers.
