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In 1960 was opened the Porto Santo Island airport, and for the first time Madeira had air routes between the two islands, whose connection was already ensured by the shipping charge of the ferry-boats “Lisbonense “and” Cedars”.
Madeira Airport was opened on July 8, 1964 with a runway of 1600 meters long. The Madeira archipelago won new connections to the Portuguese mainland, that until then were made by boat. The first landing of an aircraft in Madeira Island was in 1957 on an experimental track in Santa Catarina.
In 1972, given the inability of the small runway in receiving aircraft able to bring the big flow of tourists seeking the Madeira Island, it began to be considered an extension to make it possible to recognize intercontinental flights. The following year, it opened a new terminal, able to receive 500,000 passengers a year.
Between 1982 and 1986 the runway was extended to 1800 meters, and proceeded to the expansion of aircraft parking platform. The extension was inaugurated on February 1, 1986.
However, António Tavares Segadães engineer adapted from previous studies of Edgar Cardoso and planned a new expansion of the runway. Thus, the September 15, 2000 took place the track extension to 2781 meters. This is partly built on slab over the sea, being based on 180 pillars.
This new runway is qualified to receive large aircraft such as the Airbus 340 or Boeing 747, which was present at the opening of the runway on 15 September 2000, as well as almost any type of civil aviation, or military. The airport is main gateway for tourists in the region, as well as postal mail, cargo and other essential services. It is an international airport that also serves domestic flights.
On July 23, 2016, the Madeira International Airport was renamed to Madeira Airport – Cristiano Ronaldo
