Madeira and Shannon Tourism Hit by Severe Weather as High Winds Cancel Most Flights at Madeira Airport in Portugal: All You Need to Know

Published on December 13, 2025

Madeira and Shannon tourism are facing significant disruption after strong winds forced the cancellation of more than half of all scheduled flights from Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport) up to mid-afternoon today. Airport information shows that, by around 07:45, only the 06:00 departure to Shannon, Ireland, had managed to take off, with at least eleven departures and eleven arrivals cancelled due to adverse weather conditions over the island.​

The interruption affects both inbound holidaymakers heading to Madeira’s winter-sun tourism hotspots and residents returning home, underlining how exposed the Atlantic archipelago remains to severe wind events during stormy periods. Tourism officials and airlines are urging travellers to remain flexible with plans while the weather system passes.​

IPMA issues orange wind warning and red sea warning

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued an orange warning, the second most severe level, for strong wind on Madeira’s north coast and mountainous regions, forecasting gusts of up to one hundred thirty kilometres per hour. According to IPMA’s hazard scale, orange signifies a high risk situation that may cause damage and requires heightened attention from the public, authorities and operators, including those in tourism and aviation.​

In parallel, IPMA has placed the surrounding seas under a red warning, its most severe category, from around 21:00 today until 18:00 on Saturday, due to heavy swells and waves expected to reach 7–7.5 metres, with maximum heights potentially up to fourteen metres along the north coast. The combination of intense winds and rough seas poses challenges not only for flights but also for maritime tourism, inter-island ferries and coastal activities.​

Madeira Airport warns of operational restrictions into Saturday

Operational updates via the Madeira Airport and ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal platforms indicate that adverse weather may continue to affect departures and arrivals at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport through at least Saturday, depending on how the wind field evolves. Airport authorities and airlines have already pre-emptively cancelled or re-timed several services, including links to Lisbon, Porto and key European cities, to avoid holding aircraft in unsafe conditions.​

Passengers are being strongly advised to check the status of their flights on official airline channels and the airport website before traveling to the terminal, as further cancellations or diversions to alternative airports, such as Porto Santo or mainland hubs, remain possible while warnings are in effect. For those already on the island, hotel and tourism partners are being encouraged to support guests with rebooking and extended stays where necessary.​

Safety guidance for residents and visitors during the storm

Severe-weather guidance shared by regional authorities and safety organisations stresses that both residents and visitors should exercise caution during periods of strong wind and high season Madeira. Recommendations include staying away from cliff edges, coastal promenades and exposed viewpoints, avoiding mountain hikes or levada walks, securing loose objects on balconies and terraces, and being vigilant around trees, scaffolding and temporary structures.​

Travel safety advisories for Madeira also highlight the challenges of steep, winding roads in wet and windy conditions, urging drivers to slow down, avoid unnecessary trips into mountainous areas and pay attention to any closures or diversions. Visitors planning water-based activities, such as boat tours or swimming, are advised to follow local flag systems, harbour authority notices and operator guidance, as the red sea warning signals a period of particularly hazardous ocean conditions.​

Short-term tourism disruption but resilient long-term appeal

In the short term, the latest wave of cancellations at Madeira Airport represents a setback for Madeira tourism, interrupting the arrival of winter-sun holidaymakers and occasionally stranding passengers in transit. Such episodes are not unprecedented: previous storms have similarly forced dozens of cancellations and diversions, reflecting the island’s exposed Atlantic location and the strict safety thresholds applied to approaches into its coastal runway.​

Nonetheless, tourism authorities and safety agencies emphasize that these conditions are typically short-lived, with operations resuming once wind and sea states fall back within safe parameters. In the longer term, Madeira’s reputation as a year-round nature, hiking and cruise destination remains robust, but the current event serves as a reminder for travellers to build flexibility and insurance into their plans during the stormier months, and to prioritise official weather and airport updates when moving to and from the island.