Funchal Airport
In 2013, VINCI Airports acquired ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, which held a 50-year concession contract for 10 airports in Portugal. Since 2012, considerable investment has been made to modernise the transport infrastructure.
A significant renovation project was undertaken at Funchal airport. Modernisation work was completed in 2016, offering passengers an improved experience and enabling the airport to substantially increase traffic and revenue.
In 2023, Funchal Airport obtained ACA 4+ certification, the highest in the ACI’s environmental assessment programme. VINCI Airports received this environmental certification for all airports in Portugal, becoming the first country in the European Union to have its entire airport system (10 airports) certified ACA 4+.
Then, at the end of 2023, Funchal airport reached level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program of Airports Council International (ACI). It is one of the first ten airports in the world to achieve this level, which certifies the airport has reached balance on its direct emissions.
OPENING UPNEW OPPORTUNITIES
An airport that handles more passengers than ever
Funchal airport drew on VINCI Airports’ international expertise to design and optimise its space. The security checkpoint and border control areas have been extended, and new screening lanes have been added. Check-in desks and departure gates were also redesigned to ensure smoother passenger flows. Visitors to the airport can now enjoy a new experience in optimal surroundings. A wide range of services are also now available in the 1,800 m² retail zone.
An enriched passenger experience
Passenger well-being was a key consideration in the brief for the renovation work. As a result, passengers are now able to go up to the top floor of the airport after checking in to find an immense glass wall that offers an incredible panoramic view of the coastline. They can also take time to relax in the “serenity zones” that overlook the sea. Passengers can also take advantage of the various restaurants and shops located right by the departure gates. The entire service has been fully redesigned to place passenger comfort at the heart of the airport experience.
A retail offer that is taking off
The new retail area in the airport is now able to handle up to 1,400 transactions per hour. The entire customer journey has been designed to showcase the carefully selected range of major international and local brands. It reflects the walkthrough concept implemented by VINCI Airports across the world. Passengers are sure to walk past every single duty-free shop and avoid missing any of the tempting offers available.
Keystages
- 2014: record high reached by the airport, which handled nearly 2.5 million passengers on commercial flights.
- 2015: signature of a contract worth €6.4 million, including the renovation and upgrade of the airport runway.
- 2017: a new all-time high reached after four years of consecutive growth, exceeding the milestone of 3 million passengers.
- 2021: the airport receives for the first time a direct flight from/to New York (JFK)
- 2023: 2023: at the beginning of the year, the airport receives ACA 4+ accreditation by the ACI, and at the end of the year becomes one of the first ten airports in the world to achieve level 5 program.
