Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
FNCFunchal, Portugal
Airport once known for its unusually short runway, now extended by a platform over the sea.
4.4/ 5(13k)Major hubScheduled serviceICAO LPMA715 word guide
Departures & Arrivals
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Airport at a glance
- Google rating
- 4.4/5 · 13,430 reviews
- Phone
- +351 291 520 700
- Official site
- aeroportomadeira.pt
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Address
- 9100-105 Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
- Plus code · M6XG+28 Santa Cruz, Portugal
Quick Facts
- IATA
- FNC
- ICAO
- LPMA
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Type
- Major hub
- Scheduled
- Yes
- Elevation
- 192 ft
- Coordinates
- 32.698, -16.774
Confirmed amenities
10 features verified at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
Service options
- On-site services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Baggage storage
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Children
- Has changing table(s)
Parking
- Paid parking lot
When is Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport busiest?
Typical foot-traffic by hour, sourced from Google. Live conditions may differ.
Peak hours overall
4 pm, 5 pm, 3 pm
12am6am12pm6pm11pm
Busiest on Mondays around 5 pm — usually as busy as it gets.
Quiet Normal Busy Very busy
Traveller reviews
4.413,430 reviews on Google
terrace·114ocean·49viewing platform·31taking off and landing·29football player·13approach·111964·9crosswind·9
- DrDr Jamie SmithLocal guideJul 2025
This should probably be a one star review but I'm adding an extra star to offset that my judgement may be more harsh than usual owing to a major flight delay, poor service in the cafes in the airport, broken dryers in the small and inadequately numbered toilets, and more than a half an hour wait for food in the cafe we selected. Maybe we were travelling through Madeira airport on a bad day? Given that I'm adding two stars instead of one, bur be under no illusion this isn't a great airport and can't hold it's own against comparable small airports across the world. Madeira Airport is a little airport as stated and it has a bit of a reputation for being a tricky airport for pilots to land at. That said they are trained especially to land here and unless there are adverse weather conditions it's straightforward. Easy hire car collection is available and the island is an easy one to drive around from a foreign tourist perspective. There is also a small range of shops for the traveller. Hire car return is really easy. Downsides are that it is very small and also the toilets are not up to standard. The dryers in the toilet through check in was broken, they didn't smell great and didn't feel like they were well maintained. There also isn't enough of them even for a small airport like this. There are a few places serving food but they are all very over priced and very low quality as stated. Eat before arriving would be my advice. Not the best airport obviously but in the context of small airports it's not the worst by any means.. just set expectations to low.
- zdzdenka stevanovicLocal guideOct 2025
Madeira Airport (Aeroporto da Madeira - Cristiano Ronaldo) is a place where adventure meets the thrill of the unexpected -- a gateway to an island of romance, mountains, and ocean dreams. Perched on the edge of cliffs and sea, it feels almost suspended between sky and earth, as if the runway itself brushes against the clouds before your plane touches down. Arriving here is like stepping into a storybook: the first glimpse of the rugged coastline, the emerald hills, and the endless Atlantic instantly awakens a sense of wonder. Sunlight dances on the waves, and the air carries a hint of salt and adventure. Every takeoff and landing becomes a small, heart-pounding spectacle, with planes gliding above cliffs that drop steeply into the ocean -- a reminder of Madeira's wild, romantic soul.Even the airport itself blends seamlessly with its surroundings: modern, welcoming, yet intimate enough to feel personal, as if whispering, "Your Madeira story begins here." Whether arriving or departing, Madeira Airport offers more than a journey -- it is the first taste of the island's magic, a moment of anticipation, and a promise of unforgettable experiences.
- NN FowlerLocal guideSep 2025
The airport is okay, not very large but suitable for the island. As it is not large, the waiting times through the passport were very quick. Can be a turbulent landing but this one was okay. Very clean and good transport links. Amenities are available.
- DoDor SmoohaLocal guideOct 2025
Nice, small and friendly airport. Not much space but there is a variety of shops. If you are waiting for a flight I recommend going downstairs there is more space, a water fountain to fill up with water and more shops at reasonable prices
Overview
Madeira Airport, also known as Funchal Airport (and historically Santa Catarina Airport), is the main international gateway to the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira. Located in the municipality of Santa Cruz, about 13 km east of Funchal, the airport handles millions of passengers each year, predominantly leisure travellers drawn to the island's mild subtropical climate, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and world-renowned wine. The airport's single runway is famously short and set on a plateau carved into the mountainside; its extension on pillars over the ocean is considered an engineering landmark. Airlines operating include TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and Lufthansa, amongst others, with connections to mainland Portugal, the Azores, Europe, and occasional charter flights from North America.
Location & Access
Madeira Airport sits on the eastern side of the island in Santa Cruz, roughly 20 minutes by car from Funchal city centre along the VR1 motorway. The airport is well connected by road: taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available outside arrivals, with a fixed taxi fare to Funchal (around €25–35). Public bus services are operated by SAM (Sociedade de Automóveis da Madeira) with routes to Funchal, Caniço, and other coastal towns. The bus stop is just outside the terminal. For those renting a car (recommended to explore the island), major rental desks are located in the arrivals hall. Parking is provided in a multi-story paid parking lot adjacent to the terminal; short-term and long-term options are available. The airport is also served by local minibuses and airport shuttles to hotels.
Facilities
The terminal is compact but functional, designed to handle seasonal tourist volumes. Confirmed amenities include:
- On-site services: a small shopping area with duty-free, souvenir shops, and a café/restaurant (before and after security).
- Wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, and toilets, ensuring mobility-impaired passengers can navigate the building easily.
- Baggage storage (left luggage) – useful for layovers or those exploring Santa Cruz before a flight.
- Toilets and family amenities: the terminal has clean restrooms and a changing table for babies.
- Wi-Fi: free wireless internet is available throughout the terminal; no password required in most areas.
- Paid parking: a multi-storey car park with hourly and daily rates; pre-booking online is recommended during peak season.
- Additional services: ATMs, currency exchange (limited hours), and a tourist information desk with maps and brochures.
Note that Madeira Airport does not have a dedicated VIP lounge, but there is a small café/bar airside where passengers can wait. The airport is generally quiet compared to mainland hubs, with manageable queues.
About the Region
Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean about 500 km west of Morocco and 900 km from Lisbon. Known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic," the main island is a popular year-round destination for its temperate climate (average 20°C), lush vegetation, and dramatic mountainous terrain. The island is famous for its fortified Madeira wine, its steep levadas (irrigation channels) that offer world-class hiking trails, and the stunning cliffside capital Funchal. Tourists also come for whale watching, scuba diving, and the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz. The airport serves both island residents and the millions of tourists who arrive annually, making it a critical infrastructure link. The runway's unique design (extending on pillars over the ocean) was necessary because of the lack of flat land; it opened in 1964 and was expanded in 2000. Despite challenging crosswinds, the airport remains safe and is served by modern aircraft.
Practical Information
- Address: Aeroporto da Madeira, 9100-105 Santa Cruz, Portugal
- Website: https://www.aeroportomadeira.pt/
- Phone: +351 291 520 700
- Hours: The airport terminal is not open 24/7. It opens roughly 2–3 hours before the first flight and closes after the last arrival. Peak hours are around 4 pm and 5 pm, when many incoming flights from Europe arrive simultaneously. Check the website for exact opening times if you have an overnight layover – you may not be able to wait inside overnight.
- Wi-Fi: Free, with a session time limit (usually 1 hour, extendable).
- Baggage Storage: Located in the arrivals area; fees apply.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). ATMs available in the departures area.
Always confirm flight status and any operational changes on the airport's official website or with your airline before travelling.
Airlines at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
16 carriers list direct routes from this airport. 3 Star Alliance members.
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Where can you fly from Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport?
26 direct destinations across 11 countries.
Most-served direct routes
Location
Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
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W
Wikipedia
More about Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
Quick Facts
- IATA
- FNC
- ICAO
- LPMA
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Type
- Major hub
- Scheduled
- Yes
- Elevation
- 192 ft
- Coordinates
- 32.698, -16.774
W
Wikipedia
More about Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
Nearby Airports
Porto Santo AirportPXO58 km
Airport serving the island of Porto Santo, operating flights to and from the mainland.
La Palma AirportSPC462 km
Situado a 8 kilometros de Santa Cruz de la Palma, es un aeropuerto moderno y capacitado para contribuir al desarrollo economico y turistico de la zona a la que presta servicio. El trafico es eminentemente nacional y se concentra en Tenerife Norte, Gran Canaria y Madrid-Barajas. En cuanto al trafico internacional, tiene fundamentalmente como origen/destino Alemania, Reino Unido y Holanda.
Tenerife Sur AirportTFS518 km
Situado al sur de la isla, en pleno corazon de la zona turistica. En su primer ano de funcionamiento, el aeropuerto supero el millon de pasajeros. El aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur permanece en funcionamiento las 24 horas del dia. En la actualidad, ofrece mas de un centenar de conexiones y mas de 150 companias operan en sus instalaciones. El trafico mayoritario del aeropuerto es internacional. Reino Unido y Alemania representan mas de la mitad del trafico total, siendo los aeropuertos de Manchester, Londres/Gatwick, Londres/Stansted, Birmingham y Bristol los que aportan mayor numero de pasajeros. El trafico nacional se concentra en Madrid, Malaga, Gran Canaria y Barcelona.
La Gomera AirportGMZ521 km
El Aeropuerto de La Gomera, situado al sur de la isla en el termino municipal de Alajero, a 34 kilometros de la capital (San Sebastian), es el mas moderno del archipielago canario. Inaugurado en 1999, se ha consolidado como pieza clave en la comunicacion exterior de sus habitantes y en el desarrollo turistico de la isla.
Gran Canaria AirportLPA547 km
El aeropuerto de Gran Canaria, situado en la costa este de la isla que le da nombre, es la puerta de entrada de millones de turistas que anualmente visitan la isla. El aeropuerto se encuentra ubicado a 25 kilometros de distancia de uno de los principales nucleos turisticos de Canarias -la zona sur de la Isla de Gran Canaria- y a 18 kilometros de la capital de la isla y de la provincia de Las Palmas. Sus optimas condiciones meteorologicas han hecho que el aeropuerto de Gran Canaria tenga unas excelentes condiciones operativas y preste sus servicios durante 24 horas todos los dias del ano. Esto supone una garantia para las companias aereas, que pueden realizar sus operaciones sin los inconvenientes derivados de una meteorologia adversa.