2000

On 15 September, the Autonomous Region of Madeira inaugurated an impressive construction of great strategic importance for the region and for the country as a whole: Madeira Airport. The new runway was now 2,781 metres long.

The structure necessary for the enlargement of the runway at Madeira Airport was planned by António Segadães Tavares, who revised and adapted the study that had been in existence since 1980 and had been prepared by Edgar Cardoso.

Being a highly complex technical work, the runway was partly built on a platform extending over the sea. Earthworks were necessary to house the 180 pillars that support the new part of the structure, at heading 23.