Wind conditions affecting operations at Madeira Airport have become more severe over the past decade, with average speeds rising by about three knots, or roughly 5.5 km/h. The change has made landings and take-offs more difficult at the airport in Santa Cruz. Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo Espírito Santo, said the meteorological records in Madeira since 2015 appear unusual. He confirmed that the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) and the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC) are now studying the cause of the increase. During a parliamentary hearing, he said the rise was large enough to disrupt airport operations and noted that many movements could be ruled out when wind speeds climb. The government was also asked about the certification of the new MAD Winds monitoring system, which was installed in November 2025. Hugo Espírito Santo said the launch has been delayed because the certification process is complex and preliminary reports are still unfinished. The MAD Winds system, managed by NAV Portugal, represents an investment of around €3.5 million and is expected to go live on the 10th of November.
