Funchal airport ? also known as Madeira Airport - is a delightfully small airport in Madeira and was once infamous for its short runway which, surrounded by high mountains and the ocean, made it a tricky landing for even the most experienced of pilots.

The original runway was only 1600 meters in length, but was extended by 200 meters 8 years after the TAP Air Portugal Flight 425 incident of 1977 and subsequently rebuilt in 2000, almost doubling the size of the runway, building it out over the ocean. It is still one of the most dramatic places to take off and land.

Funchal Airport may be small, but it is amazingly clean and modern with everything the travelling passenger may need. There is a bank, Bureau de Change and ATM points for your financial needs and plenty of shops, cafes and bars to keep you entertained until take off. The prices are extremely reasonable for an airport and if you don't feel up to shopping, Funchal Airport provides a very spacious and comfortable lounge where you can watch the performance of the planes landing and taking off.

For the travelling business person, Funchal airport provides both conference facilities and three VIP lounges; all equipped with fax machines, photocopying facilities, phones and Internet access. There are also 'NetPoints' available in the terminal.