Yes, I’ve been back….
If you’re unfamiliar with this amazing airport, it’s well worth a visit. As an enthusiast, it’s unique location provides some entertaining moments mostly caused by the weather and lots of fantastic photo/video opportunities. There’s plenty of commercial and bizjet flights, with military operated medevac flights. Let’s also not forget, it’s Captains only landing and take-off.
Now to mention some of the YouTube streamers based at FNC and there are many. The stand-out ones for me are Madeira Runway Spotting (MRS) and Madeira Woman Spotter (MWS), a husband-and-wife team who are building quite a following. No, I haven’t been paid to give them a mention!
You don’t have to go far to spot. Across the road, the favourite locations are elevated, so at least you’re not battling with the perimeter fence to get that perfect shot. The most popular is Rampa do Cano, which can get very busy with plane spotting tourists but sometimes causes frustration to the YT live streamers. It’s a public place so nothing they can do. The weather can be changeable, so best to go prepared with waterproofs or a fleece. You never know when and where it’s going to rain in Madeira!
So, here’s the key moments from my latest trip. Started in MAN on 21 October with an aircraft change. Having said goodbye to 757 flights to FNC a few weeks ago, imagine my surprise to be on G-LSAI. Jet2’s oldest girl, at 37! She didn’t fail to delight. Despite the long roller coaster taxi at MAN, she took off like a rocket. Looking around the front section cabin, there was no sign of her age. She rode out the mild turbulence as expected. Approach and landing into FNC the usual high standard. Thanks to the excellent filming by MWS, I was able to watch it back later. Hotel choice this time was Vila Gale in Santa Cruz. A 5-minute drive from the airport, most rooms give full or partial sea view. Amazing spotting opportunities from here and the pool area, also the public beach beyond when Runway 05 in use. Departures from 23 are already climbing and often too high for any good photos.
My return aircraft to MAN on 28 October was G-HLYF, 9 years old and formerly operated by Thomas Cook. A very smooth and quiet ride. Even heard Autopilot disengage on finals….
FNC welcomed some new routes -
PLAY – the Icelandic carrier had started KEF-FNC on 15 October, once weekly (Tu) until June 2025.
Air Baltic – 28 October saw the start of flights from RIX by the Latvian carrier. Unfortunately, the FNC weather had the last word. The inaugural flight had to divert to the Canary Islands. The flight time on A220-300 is around 5 hours 55 minutes. At the moment it is seasonal, but may go year-round, depending on popularity.
BA – witnessed final departure of LHR flights on 26 October before Euroflyer took over from LGW the following day. Brief chats with one of their Passenger Services staff, at the hotel, gave an insight into how long it takes to plan a new route. It took 5 months and will be reviewed after 6, to see if it’s delivering the expected revenue. He was also impressed that FNC ground services had the aircraft ready for departure 20 minutes early!
And finally….
Jet2 – it’s time to say goodbye to more of their 757 fleet. 3 November is the last revenue flight of G-LSAC MAN-FUE-MAN. She will then be flown to St Athan, so won’t be going for freight conversion. This aircraft holds special memories for me, from my 2023 flight to FNC. Later in the week, 6 and 10 November will see retirement of G-LSAK and G-LSAN; subject to confirmation. The last one is likely to be the oldest, G-LSAI, anticipated retirement January 2025. The Jet2 engineers and technicians deserve our thanks for their dedication in keeping this magnificent fleet airworthy, despite some niggling problems. Many enthusiasts would love to see one housed at MAN Runway Visitor Park, but there may not be room to accommodate the whole aircraft…..
Information courtesy of LadyJet2
Images courtesy of LadyJet2
©TPSC, LadyJet2 and photo/diagram suppliers