Airbus A321 performs one of the wildest landings you'll see on one of the toughest runways in the entire world
Published on Apr 24, 2026 at 12:18 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 24, 2026 at 12:18 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Madeira Airport, AKA Funchal Airport, is one of the most extreme aviation hubs in the world, and spectacular YouTube footage shows an Airbus A321 perform an incredible landing at one of the world’s toughest runways.
Due to its location and spectacular runway construction, Madeira Airport is considered one of the most perilous to fly into in the world.
That means for Aviation geeks and airplane spotters, it can provide some remarkable footage.
This is exactly what the Madeira Airport Spotting YouTube account has shown us, with this Airbus A321 footage filmed two years ago.
This is how perilous the Airbus A321 landing was
The flight in question was TAP Air Portugal flight TP9576, from Porto Santo.
Not only did the pilot have to land on one of the world’s toughest runways, but he had to do so in rough weather.
The footage showed a clear and sunny day, but with plenty of wind making the landing tricky.
In the video, the Airbus A321 flew in from the right and passed just in front of the camera.
But it wasn’t a conventional landing, with the aircraft’s nose pointing down sharply, and it was visibly rocked by the wind.
It pitched down aggressively, looking reluctant to hit the tarmac.
The aircraft was rocked and buffeted around before landing quite harshly – but safely – onto the runway.
Landings like this can be a regular occurrence at Madeira Airport
Why Madeira Airport has one of the world’s toughest runways
Built in the 1960s, Madeira Airport is nestled among the mountainous terrain of Madeira Island.
While it was short, the runway at the time was fine for most aircraft.
But as aircraft got bigger, they needed lengthening.
As a result, a new extension was built onto a reinforced concrete structure, adding 1,000ft to the length.
Huge concrete pillars, buried deep into the ground, hold the runway up.
The mountainous terrain further complicates things, leading to low and aggressive approaches to the runway.
Other airports have been similarly tough, such as Kai Tak in Hong Kong.
This airport needed a dramatic, tight, and low approach to the runway, with low passes right over Kowloon City.
Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal is also one of the world’s most dangerous, given its mountainside location.
Madeira is certainly up there when it comes to the challenges of landing.
Madeira/Funchal Airport History
1964: Funchal Airport officially opens with a 1,600-meter (approx 5,249-foot) runway, boosting Madeira’s accessibility.
1977: A tragic TAP Air Portugal crash highlights the runway’s safety limitations.
1982-1986: First major runway extension increases length to 1,800 meters (approx 5,905 feet).
1990s Expansion: Plans approved for a dramatic offshore runway extension supported by concrete pillars.
2000: New 2,781-meter (approx 9,124-foot) runway opens, built partly over the ocean on 180 columns.
2016: Airport renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in honour of Madeira’s football icon.
Today: Recognized as one of Europe’s most challenging and visually spectacular airport landings.
Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
