Faro Airport , also known as Algarve Airport, is located to the west of Faro in Portugal. The airport opened in July 1965. A total of 9.0 million passengers used Faro airport in 2019. The airport became a hub for the first time in March 2010, when Ryanair decided to base seven of its aircraft there. It is very busy from March to October, to the extent that it becomes a slot coordinated airport.
Facilities
Faro Airport is capable of handling nine million passengers a year. There are 22 stands of which 16 are remote, with 60 check-in desks and 36 boarding gates. Since its opening in 1966, Faro airport has had two major developments: the new passenger terminal building in 1989, and its enlargement in 2001. Faced with growing traffic demand and passenger safety and satisfaction needs, the development plan for 2009–2013 saw Faro airport undergo extensive improvements to runway and infrastructure, as well as a widespread renovation of the airport terminal and commercial areas. Along with the airports in Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria, Horta, Flores, Madeira, and Porto Santo, the airport's concessions to provide support to civil aviation were conceded to ANA Aeroportos de Portugal on 18 December 1998, under provisions of decree 404/98. With this concession, ANA became responsible for the planning, development and construction of future infrastructure.
Airlines and destinations
The following airlines operate regular scheduled direct passenger flights at Faro Airport:
Ground transport
Car
The airport is close to the A22 highway, with connections throughout the Algarve and direct to Lisbon and Spain. Faro airport has 3 different car parking areas. The closest parking area is called "Parking P0 / P1 – Classic", used for short-term visitors, while parking areas P2 and P3 are used for longer term car storage. Kiss and Fly is the name for a form of fast parking at the airport. One can drive to the airport to pick up or drop someone off free of charge for up to ten minutes. To drop off passengers, one can stop at the departures curbside and to pick up passengers, you enter the P2 Car Park.
Bus
Airport bus routes 14 and 16 run each day between Faro Airport and Faro city centre bus station. From the bus station there are connections to most other Portuguese cities as well as to many Spanish destinations. The airport bus route is currently run by a company called "Proximo".
Railway
The nearest railway station is Faro station which is about away and is located close to Faro city centre bus station. A study into a rail link to the airport was undertaken in 2018.
Taxis
Public taxis are available from the airport and operate 24/7. There are several taxi ranks which you can use to hire a taxi from, or you can use a free phone inside the airport to call a taxi. The majority of curbsidetaxis at the airport will only carry up to four passengers; if you require a bigger taxi, it is best to use to the phone inside.
Car rentals
There are all major car rental companies, in the arrivals area, that can provide car hire service from the Airport. Companies without an airport desk are located at "Parking P4 - Car Hire".
On 21 December 1992, Martinair Flight 495 sustained a hard landing in bad weather at Faro Airport, killing 54 passengers and two crew out of a total of 340 people on board.
On 24 October 2011, an overnight storm collapsed portions of terminal roofs and blew out most windows in the control tower. Four people were slightly injured, one severely.
