The wind conditions affecting operations at Madeira Airport have worsened over the past decade, with average wind speeds increasing by around three knots (approximately 5.5 km/h). The rise has further complicated landings and take-offs at the airport in Santa Cruz.
The issue was highlighted yesterday by the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo EspĂrito Santo, who confirmed that the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) and the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC) are investigating the causes behind the phenomenon.
Speaking during a parliamentary hearing, Hugo EspĂrito Santo described the meteorological data recorded in Madeira since 2015 as unusual.
“The only thing I want to say, and which I think is relatively clear at the moment, is that there is, in fact, an abnormal variation in wind speed since 2015,” he said.
The Secretary of State added that an increase of around three knots was significant enough to affect airport operations.
“We could even joke that it may have something to do with the political cycle, but in fact, I think there is something manifestly strange happening. IPMA and LNEC have been instructed to investigate exactly why this is happening because an increase in wind speed invalidates many operations.”
According to a statement released by PSD-Madeira, deputy Vânia Jesus raised several concerns related to air transport, maritime transport, and mobility in the Autonomous Region of Madeira during a hearing with the Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, in the national parliament.
Alongside the investigation into the increase in wind speeds, the government was also questioned about the certification process for the new MAD Winds monitoring system. Hugo EspĂrito Santo confirmed that the operational launch of the equipment, installed in November 2025, has been delayed due to the complexity of the certification process.
“The issue surrounding MAD Winds at Madeira Airport involves a lengthy certification process and preliminary reports have not yet been completed,” he explained, adding that the technology is highly innovative and currently used at only a handful of airports worldwide.
“This equipment exists in very few airports in the world. It is a highly innovative technology that had only been installed at four airports before Funchal. Therefore, we must allow LNEC and IPMA the time to carry out their work properly.”
The MAD Winds system is a state-of-the-art meteorological monitoring platform representing an investment of around €3.5 million. Managed by NAV Portugal, the system combines X-band radar and LIDAR technology to analyse weather conditions in near real time across a monitoring radius of more than 10 kilometres.
The technology is designed to identify and reduce the impact of strong crosswinds that frequently affect Madeira, detecting wind shear and turbulence zones with a high degree of precision.
The new system should go live on the 10th of November.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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