Madeira Airport FNC
Madeira Airport FNC
Madeira Airport (full name Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (Portuguese: Aeroporto Internacional da Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo) (IATA code: FNC – ICAO code: LPMA) is a Portuguese international airport, located on Madeira Island. It was known as Santa-Catarina Airport until 24 March 2017, when it was renamed after the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Madeira Airport Car Rentals – Check the latest offers! CHECK NOW!
Madeira Airport info Pre-Book Car Hire
2025 Madeira Airport Car Rental – New Offers – Save up to 70%!
* Madeira Airport Car Rentals operated by Discover Cars
Madeira Airport (FNC)
Madeira Airport is a key hub for people from around the world coming to visit Funchal, the capital city of Portugal’s autonomous region of Madeira. It’s located just over 12 miles (or about 20 kilometers) from downtown, and it’s easy to get to the city and other destinations throughout the area.
For many tourists, the airport provides an affordable travel option for getting to and from Funchal. Keep reading to learn more about the history of this popular airport, which sees millions of passengers traveling through it every year, either on their way to enjoy the sun and attractions of Madeira.
Madeira has for many years been a popular destination for tourists from around the world, because it offers great weather, significant historic and cultural places to visit, excellent food and drink options, and more. When air travel started to become popularized in the 20th century, it made it much easier for people from other countries to consider visiting the region for their holidays.
The airport was officially opened to the public on July 7, 1964 and at the time its runway was only 1,600 meters (or 5,200 feet) in length. A TAP Air Portugal Lockheed Constellation flight that had 80 people on board was the first flight to land at the airport after its opening.
The region’s popularity with tourists continued to grow, and in 1972 the airport extended the runway to handle extra flights to meet this rising demand, along with the construction of a new passenger terminal that was completed in 1973. The runway was then extended again between 1982 and 1986, when the extension to 1,800 meters (or 5,900 feet) was officially inaugurated.
The region’s popularity with tourists continued to grow, and in 1972 the airport extended the runway to handle extra flights to meet this rising demand, along with the construction of a new passenger terminal that was completed in 1973. The runway was then extended again between 1982 and 1986, when the extension to 1,800 meters (or 5,900 feet) was officially inaugurated.
FNC Airport Information
IATA airport code: FNC
ICAO airport code: LPMA
Owner: Vinci Group
Opened: 7 July 1964
Operator: ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
Elevation AMSL: 58 m / 190 ft
Hub for:
- Ryanair
- TAP Air Portugal
Serves: Madeira, Portugal
Location: Santa Cruz
Madeira Airport Facilities
The Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira Airport offers a good range of facilities and services:
- ATMs
- Currency exchange
- Wi-Fi access
- Car hire offices
- Restaurants and cafeterias
Flight Destinations
Madeira Airport has a single runway and one terminal building with 16 gates. The runway is considered short for large aircraft, but it can still handle mid-size jets like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The terminal offers basic facilities like check-in counters, baggage claim belts, passport control, customs, a few shops and cafes, as well as short and long-term parking lots.
Airport Infrastructure
Madeira Airport offers direct flights to several major European cities, including London, Lisbon, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris, and Zurich. There are also seasonal charter flights from the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia. Inter-island flights connect Madeira to Porto Santo Airport and the Desertas Islands. Many tourists visit Madeira Island and use the airport as a hub to explore the natural beauty of the Madeira archipelago.
Madiera Airport’s unique runway
The airport is known for having a complicated landing for aircraft because it sits on land that just out into the sea, in an area that has cliffs and hills. As a result, Madeira Airport’s single asphalt runway features steep drops at both ends, and there were a handful of accidents in the 1970s, although the airport has seen minimal incidents since then, barring a single accident that took place in 2003.
When the airport was first opened, its runway was only 1,600 meters (or 5,249 feet) long. This length was extended to 1,800 meters (or 5,906 feet) between 1982 and 1986, and then extended a further time between 2000 and 2002 when it increased in total size to its current 2,781 meters (or 9,124 feet).
The newest extension to the runway was considered to be a major achievement in construction given the complicated landscape. It was done by Andrade Gutierrez, a building company from Brazil. This project resulted in Funchal being named as the recipient of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering’s Outstanding Structure Award in 2004.
About Madeira
Madeira located in the Atlantic Ocean, 973 km from Lisbon and 640 km north-northwest of Cape Juby, in the province of Tarfaya in Morocco. It is an autonomous region called the Autonomous Region of Madeira (in Portuguese: Região Autónoma da Madeira) of which Funchal is the capital.
The islands are of volcanic origin and located on the African plate. The last eruption was 6,000 to 7,000 years ago2. The main island, with an area of 750 km2 , is very green compared to other volcanic islands, giving it remarkable landscapes that make it a renowned destination for hiking.
Transportation
The airport terminal is situated just over 8.2 miles (or about 13.2 kilometers) from Funchal, which is the capital of the Madeira autonomous region and its largest city. Whether you are traveling to Funchal or anywhere else in the area, you’ll need some type of transportation to get from the airport, and there are a few different options that you can choose from.
Taxis: will provide more comfort than buses because the only people in the car will be the driver, yourself and any traveling companions. And you will also have the peace of mind in knowing that your luggage will be safely stowed in the trunk of the vehicle during your trip.
But taxis are more expensive than buses, and will be charged based on the distance that you travel, with longer journeys costing more money. Fares begin at €4 once you leave the airport, with the average cost of a taxi ride into the center of Funchal being around €30, and taking about 20 minutes – which is faster than if you were to make the trip with a bus.
Car rental: Finally, several car rental companies have kiosks at Madeira Airport where you can hire a vehicle and drive directly to your hotel or wherever else you are staying. A rental car gives you the most flexibility and impendence of these options, but it is also the most expensive.
You will have to pay a flat rate for the hire of the car and the exact cost will be dependent on the model and size of car that you get, as well as how long you intend to rent it for.
Bus: The cheapest option is taking the Aerobus service which makes several stops on the way from the airport to the center of Funchal, including stops close to a few popular hotels.
The typical journey time into the center of the city should be about 30 minutes and 45 minutes if you’re heading to the zone that has many of the hotels. Just beware that travel times can be longer during peak traffic periods such as rush hour, and quicker during quieter periods.
Buses operate every day of the week starting at 3.45am each day, and the fare is just €5 for each adult €2.50 for each child, with a return ticket for adults costing €8.
There are also a number of regular public bus routes that include stops at the airport and offer transportation to various destinations around the island at low cost fares.
Terminal
Madeira International Airport has a single terminal, inaugurated in 1973. The terminal has 40 check-in counters, 16 boarding gates and 7 baggage carousels.
Popular Destinations
Airlines operating flights
Several airlines operate passenger flights in and out of Madeira airport, whether throughout the year or on a seasonal basis, providing connections throughout Europe and various other countries.
They include airBaltic, Austrian Airlines, Avion Express, Azores Airlines, Binter Canarias, Braathens International Airways, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Condor, Discover Airlines, easyJet, Edelweiss Air, Enter Air, EuroAtlantic Airways, Eurowings, Finnair, Iberia, Jet2.com, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Play, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines, Smartwings, Sundair, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Transavia, TUI Airways, TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands, United Airlines and Wizz Air.
Swiftair also has cargo flights going between Madeira and Lisbon in Portugal.
Contact
- Phone: +351 291 520 700
- web: aeroportomadeira.pt/
Madeira Airport FAQ
How many runways are there at Madeira Airport?
There is a single asphalt airport for all flights, measuring 2,781 meters by 9,124 feet.
What is the distance between the airport and downtown Madeira?
The airport is situated 12.4 miles (or roughly 20 kilometers) from the city center.
What transportation options are available at Madeira Airport?
For your travel from the airport into the city or beyond, you can either choose from renting a car, taking a bus or getting a taxi, and the options range in price and how long they will take.
If I need space to park a car, is there any available at the airport?
Yes, Madeira Airport provides car parking for all possible needs, whether that’s a short stay to pick someone up or drop them off, or long-term parking that is either open air or covered.
What food and drink operations are available at Madeira Airport?
You can choose from a decent range of different places where you can eat or drink, including popular fast food venues, coffee shops, bars and other options.
Once I’ve checked in for my flight, are there any places to shop?
Yes, Madeira Airport has a wide range of shops that you can browse while you’re waiting in the departures area to board your flight. Some of the stores where you can shop include books, fashion and accessories, gifts and handicrafts, electronics, perfumes and other beauty products, travel items, watches and jewelry, toys and other items for children and more.
Which banking and currency services are available at Madeira Airport?
The bank Santander has a branch within the airport terminal building, so if you belong to this company then you can use their full range of financial services. Separately, there is a currency exchange office in the airport if you are looking to convert any cash.
Are there any facilities at the airport to handle medical emergencies?
If you or anyone in your traveling group experiences any health problems during your time at the airport, there is a First Aid center available, which includes emergency care.
s there free internet service available at the airport?
Yes, Madeira Airport provides Wi-Fi for free to passengers, so that they can connect to the internet using their laptop, smartphone or other devices. Simply log on to the network named “_VINCI Airports WiFi” and then accept the terms and conditions in order to get online.
Which airlines have services to and from Madeira Airport?
Currently, the airlines operating at Madeira Airport -- whether seasonally or year-round -- are Austrian Airlines, Avion Express, Azores Airlines, Binter Canarias, British Airways, Condor, Discover Airlines, easyJet, Edelweiss Air, Enter Air, EuroAtlantic Airways, Eurowings, Finnair, Iberia, Jet2.com, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines, Smartwings, Sundair, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Transavia, TUI Airways, TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands and Wizz Air.