Originally Posted by
bobward
...we would have had to divert to Porto Santo, another island close by. This has a massive runway, built, I think by either the US or NATO? If you have to go there, it's a reasonably long boat trip to Funchal.
Whatever, Madeira is a lovely pace to visit!
Yes, I'm in Madeira on hols just now. Went on the boat to Porto Santo the other day. The weather was duff yesterday morning and some of the flights to FNC diverted, though whether to PS or back to Lisbon, I don't know.
Thanks to the others for the replies. I understand now that conditions usually favour 05 over 23. I wondered if perhaps 23 was never used but understand now that is not the case.