I didn't realise the
runway had been extended from 1,800m to 2781m in 2000. It may remove TOW restrictions, but the fickle winds on the approach to 05 are still waiting to trap the unwary. The runway length was only 1600m when I flew the 737/200, so we always had to refuel at Porto Santo on the return leg. The 757, although more of a handful to land there, had the performance to fly non stop to the UK, and for the first time F/O's were allowed to carry out take-offs from FNC.
I just hope the crew are not pilloried for something that could easily happen to anyone operating into Funchal.