Latest news and stories about airport disruptions in Portugal for expats and residents.
Portugal's aviation sector is currently grappling with significant operational challenges, leading to widespread flight delays and passenger inconvenience across major airport hubs.
Ryanair has requested the suspension of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in Portugal to prevent potential disruption and long queues at airports during the summer season.
Restrictions are forcing Azores Air Lines flights to divert to Pico.
There are reports of several delays in the scheduled flight times.
Operations at Madeira Airport are restricted this Thursday, April 9, due to strong winds, with 68 flights cancelled throughout the day, including both arrivals and departures. According to information available on the ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal website, consulted at 18:30, 36 arrivals and 32 departures were cancelled, with several delays also recorded. Since this Thursday morning, only five planes have landed at Madeira International Airport – Cristiano Ronaldo, and six have departed. ANA warns that weather forecasts indicate adverse conditions that may affect operations in the coming days, recommending that travellers contact their airlines before heading to the airport.
Three planes departed between the early hours and the start of the morning, and 20 departures were cancelled.
Three planes departed between the early hours and the start of the morning, and 20 departures were cancelled.
Two planes were diverted and 20 arrivals have already been cancelled
Home News Weather conditions compromise Madeira Airport operations Weather conditions compromise Madeira Airport operations Strong winds are hampering movement at Madeira Airport, with no aircraft landing this morning, according to ANA.
The Union of Aviation and Airport Workers (Sitava) warned today that the extension of the handling licences held by Menzies will cause “instability and disruption” to summer operations and accused the Government of “mocking those who work”.
For the second consecutive day, strong winds have paralysed Madeira airport. The IPMA forecasts gusts of up to 110 km/h in mountainous regions, and the weather warning remains in effect until 9:00 PM.
IPMA indicated that the island will experience north-easterly winds with gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour.
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport is affected for the second consecutive day due to strong winds, which have placed Madeira under a yellow weather warning. 11 flights have already been cancelled this morning.
On Sunday, the wind forced a dozen flights to divert and caused the cancellation of at least seven arrivals.
There are 11 recorded flight cancellations this morning.
Home News Bad weather cancels flights at Madeira Airport Bad weather cancels flights at Madeira Airport The island of Madeira is under a yellow warning due to the forecast of strong winds, announced the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere ( IPMA).
According to information provided on the official ANA website at 17:15, the last plane to successfully land on the island was at 13:48, with the last departure occurring at 15:00.
The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAV) expressed “concern this Thursday regarding the uncertainty surrounding the process of awarding ground handling licenses at Portuguese airports,” warning of the “risk of operational disruptions during critical phases for national tourism.” “This situation raises serious doubts regarding the operational stability of...”
According to information available at 07:30 on the ANA — Aeroportos de Portugal website, seven flights to and from the island of Madeira had been cancelled at Madeira Airport.
Home News Bad weather cancels 110 flights at Madeira Airport Bad weather cancels 110 flights at Madeira Airport More than 80 flights departing from or arriving in Madeira were cancelled on 2 March due to adverse weather conditions, according to ANA – Aeroportos on its official website.
The Madeira Airport has canceled around 50 flights due to severe weather conditions caused by Storm Regina. Strong winds, with gusts up to 110 km/h in the highlands, and heavy rainfall—including hail and snow at higher altitudes—are impacting the region. Maritime conditions are also dangerous, with waves reaching up to 11 meters. Authorities have issued orange and yellow weather warnings, advising travelers to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport. The adverse weather is expected to persist over the coming days, affecting flight operations and daily activities in Madeira.
In recent days, there were disruptions that led to the cancellation of more than 70 flights.
Home News Weather conditions cancel flights at Madeira Airport Weather conditions cancel flights at Madeira Airport A plane was diverted, and 20 flights were cancelled at Madeira International Airport, including arrivals and departures, due to strong winds affecting the eastern part of the island
The government stressed the need to preserve its credibility after disruptions at Lisbon Airport.
ANA Airports confirmed to CM the long waiting times at border control on Monday morning.
At Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, by 8:30 AM this Thursday, more than 60 flights had been cancelled, according to the information displayed on the airport's information panels.
