THIS is the tense moment when a crowded holiday plane is rocked from side to side by strong winds while trying to land at Madeira Airport.
It came on a day of travel chaos for British tourists attempting to reach and leave the popular holiday island.
Yesterday, at least 49 flights – including 26 arrivals and 23 departures – were reportedly canceled due to severe weather, causing significant disruptions for the second consecutive day.
Frustrated British tourists took to social media early this morning to express their dissatisfaction, complaining about being stranded without food and accommodation.
And video footage of a Marabu Airlines A320 being tossed around like a toy as it came in to land at the airport, officially called the Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, showed the difficulties pilots faced.
Madeira has a repuation of challenging landing conditions due to its high crosswinds – and has been named as one of the world’s most dangerous airports, though accidents are rare.
One social media user commenting on the plane’s approach and landing said today: “This is crazy. I already have a knot in my lower neck just from watching.”
Another, thought to have been a passenger on the plane, said: “Landing in Madeira had to be one of the worst moments in my life.
“That airport is as scary as hell.
“I felt the plane moving non-stop and the landing was so bad, God.”
She went on to say: “I get it when people say it’s one of the most dangerous airports because IT’S TRUE,” prompting a local to respond:
“Imagine how us living in Madeira must fell when we have to travel.
“We pray every time so everything goes well.”
The first flight said to have been cancelled yesterday was coming from London.
An 11.45am flight scheduled to leave for London was also among those cancelled. Ryanair and easyJet were among the airlines affected.
Island newspapers described yesterday as a “nightmare day” for travellers.
Some planes are said to have managed to fly over Madeira for a few minutes before being diverted to other airports including the one on neighbouring island Porto Santo, Lisbon, Faro and even Tenerife.
A furious British Airways passenger trying to get back to Gatwick took to social media in the early hours of this morning to complain: “I am currently stranded at Madeira Airport with no food, no hotel, and no updates on when the next flight to Gatwick will depart.
“Is this truly the level of service you aim to provide your customers?”
The X user, who described himself as the owner of limintonstudio, later added in a message to BA: “Airport staff couldn’t even offer me a mattress to sleep on, as they were only accommodating easyJet and Ryanair passengers.”
There was no immediate response from the airline.
A Portuguese passenger told news channel SIC around 400 to 500 people had been forced to sleep at the airport.
She said no mattresses had been provided, adding: “No-one helped us or informed us of anything and there was no food available.”
