Funchal - One of 10 worst airports to land at.

B

BOXtheFOX

Registered User
Messages
856
I see that Aer Lingus have started a scheduled flight to Funchal. This airport is said to be one of the 10 worst airports in the world to land a plane at. Like landing on an aircraft carrier. Apparently the airport only allow the flight captains to land the planes. With all the new destinations now becoming available including Funchal, do all Aer Lingus/Ryanair pilots get special training/practice at each and every airport or do they just head in the direction of the airport and ...........
 
BOXtheFOX said:
...or do they just head in the direction of the airport and ...........
Click to expand...

Was it last year or 2005 that a Ryanair pilot mistook an old military airport for the City of Derry Airport adn landed his plane plus passengers there?!?
 
Actually he wasn't actually a Ryanair (staff) pilot - he was a pilot with a charter airline (Eirjet) conracted in by Ryanair. See .
 
Funchal airport was infamous for its short runway built on a high embankment, falling away abruptly to the sea. The largest airliners which used the airport were the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
Recently the runway has been realigned and extended to 2.7km, allowing
almost any modern airliner to visit the island.
Click to expand...

I do not think it is part of the "10 worst" list anymore

For info, Dublin Airport longuest runway is 2637m.

You are clear to land now...
 
BOXtheFOX said:
I see that Aer Lingus have started a scheduled flight to Funchal. This airport is said to be one of the 10 worst airports in the world to land a plane at. Like landing on an aircraft carrier. Apparently the airport only allow the flight captains to land the planes. With all the new destinations now becoming available including Funchal, do all Aer Lingus/Ryanair pilots get special training/practice at each and every airport or do they just head in the direction of the airport and ...........
Click to expand...

I have visited the island many times and have not noticed anything unusual when taking off or landing. As Bacchus said the runway was extended to facilitate larger jets. The airport itself is well run and a pleasure to travel through (especially when compared to the nightmare out in North Dublin!)
 
the runway extends out into the sea, the plane approaches from over the sea and it looks as if you are going to land on the water as you come in as you can't see land. It's not scary and is a fine small airport, way better then Dublin
 
Mpsox said:
the runway extends out into the sea, the plane approaches from over the sea and it looks as if you are going to land on the water as you come in as you can't see land.
Click to expand...
Lots of other airports like that - Faro, Nice, San Francisco etc.
 
BOXtheFOX said:
... do all Aer Lingus/Ryanair pilots get special training/practice at each and every airport or do they just head in the direction of the airport and ...........
Click to expand...

No, they get a free holiday there for every 1,000 safe and successful landings :D

Seems to be good feedback about the airport from passengers - it's clean and quick. Better check it out it person, me thinks.:)
 
BOXtheFOX said:
I see that Aer Lingus have started a scheduled flight to Funchal. This airport is said to be one of the 10 worst airports in the world to land a plane at...........
Click to expand...

Look on the bright side BOXtheFOX, nobody is actually forcing you to go there.

Its only for those that like that sort of thing
 
olddog said:
Look on the bright side BOXtheFOX, nobody is actually forcing you to go there.

Its only for those that like that sort of thing
Click to expand...

Couldn't resist the Aer Lingus offer of €35 each way and I was able to rent an apartment for €490 for the week. I guess I will have to grin and bear it.......www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZEImR9-IU
 
BOXtheFOX said:
Couldn't resist the Aer Lingus offer of €35 each way and I was able to rent an apartment for €490 for the week. I guess I will have to grin and bear it.......www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZEImR9-IU
Click to expand...

Where did you rent the apartment do you mind me asking?
Sounds like a good deal
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top