“We have no plan capable of responding to the cancellation of 40 flights,” stated the Regional Government leader of Madeira, the social democrat Miguel Albuquerque. He emphasized that “if anyone promises that with the cancellation of 40 flights” it’s possible “to have the capacity to assist all the stranded passengers, it’s a lie.”
Miguel Albuquerque was referring to the cancellation of around 40 flights on Monday due to strong winds affecting the area of Madeira International Airport – Cristiano Ronaldo, impacting hundreds of passengers.
Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to a company in Ribeira Brava dedicated to tourism activities, the official pointed out that the management and operation of Madeira airport fall under the responsibility of ANA — Aeroportos de Portugal. He noted that the Madeiran government has been “pressuring” to improve operational conditions at the facility.
“We are part of the General Assembly of ANA and have taken all the steps to improve the conditions. It has already happened at Porto Santo airport and we will continue to improve,” he stated, reiterating that “it is not possible to solve the issue of 40 canceled flights at the drop of a hat […] at any airport in the world.”
When questioned about the presentation of a former PSD member, Luís Filipe Santos, as Chega’s candidate for Funchal City Council in this year’s local elections, Miguel Albuquerque, who is also the leader of PSD/Madeira, simply stated: “I don’t even want to know.”
