Flights Disrupted by Wildfires in Madeira

Wildfires in Madeira have led to significant flight disruptions, particularly affecting Ryanair customers, who report poor communication and limited flight options. Many passengers, including families and elderly travelers, have been forced to sleep on the floor of Funchal Airport amid cancellations and delays affecting 24% of arriving flights and 12% of departures. While other airlines have managed to operate some flights, Ryanair's struggles are attributed to a potential lack of qualified pilots to navigate the challenging landing conditions at the airport. As wildfires blaze across thousands of hectares, approximately 200 firefighters are working to control the situation, with no reported injuries so far. Polish tourists, alongside travelers from Germany and France, are among those stranded, facing a lack of accommodations and assistance at the airport. The overall situation is exacerbated by strong winds that have rendered the airport nearly paralyzed, leaving hundreds of tourists in distress.