TAP’s air link between Faro and Madeira set to begin on June 2 with two weekly flights
Portugal’s flagship air carrier TAP is set to restore its air connection between Faro, Algarve and Funchal, Madeira this summer, marking a long-awaited return of the route after 22 years.
The operation will commence on June 2 and run until September 11, featuring two weekly flights. On Mondays, the flight from Funchal to Faro will depart at 8.50pm, with the return flight from Faro to Funchal scheduled for 11.15pm. On Thursdays, flights will leave Funchal at 6.10am and depart from Faro at 8.35am.
The air link will be operated using Embraer E190 aircraft with a seating capacity of 106 passengers in both economy and business class, depending on demand, the airline says. Over the course of the season, TAP will offer a total of 30 flights, providing 3,180 seats in each direction.
TAP previously operated the Faro-Funchal route between October 1999 and March 2003, albeit only during the IATA (International Air Transport Association) winter season, with an additional flight leg that included Paris Orly. Later, between 2010 and 2016, SATA/Azores Airlines took over a similar operation linking Ponta Delgada, Funchal, and Faro during the summer months.
Eduardo Jesus, Madeira’s Regional Secretary for Economy, Tourism, and Culture, has hailed the route’s return as “excellent news for both Madeira and the Algarve,” emphasizing its role in strengthening territorial cohesion and enhancing mobility for citizens. “This direct link facilitates travel between two of Portugal’s most important tourist regions, stimulating domestic tourism while also creating new opportunities for residents, entrepreneurs, and students who need to commute more frequently and with greater comfort,” he said. Passengers who reside in Madeira will also benefit from the Social Mobility Subsidy for travel between Funchal and Faro, just as they do for flights to Lisbon, Porto, and Ponta Delgada, the secretary of state added.
The healthy relationship between Madeira and TAP was also highlighted by Jesus, who singled out the “constructive dialogue and mutual commitment” between the airline and the archipelago. “In recent years, we have witnessed a strengthening of cooperation, improving accessibility to our region, which is essential for residents of Madeira and Porto Santo, as well as for tourism and our communities, such as the direct flight to Caracas, which was resumed in the summer of 2024.”
“TAP has shown more attention to the specific needs of Madeira, ensuring an essential service for residents and a crucial bridge for its development,” the local politician stated.
Eduardo Jesus also said that “this decision by TAP addresses a long-standing need. We hope this route proves successful so it can continue through the IATA winter season, benefiting not only Madeirans but also visitors choosing our region as a destination.”
