William,
Yes, the runway will be supported by those pillars. When ready it will have 2800m (9200ft) and will be able to receive any aircraft (imagine a 747 landing there!!!).
Trijet,
About Faro airport as you asked, at first sight don't seems to be hard to land at, but I've heard from a private pilot my friend that sometimes during Summer calm days, strange winds can make an unwelcome surprise when in short final. Also windshear can be a pilots enemy in this airport.
In 1992 a Martinair DC-10 crashed here. It was almost touching the runway in bad weather when a microbust made it land very hard crashing one of the wheel gears. The pilot loose control of the aircraft and it broked in 2 or 3 parts. About 54 people were killed in the only accident in FAO until now.
This is Faro
Cedarjet,
Thanks for your stories about Funchal, yes that TAP 727 was horrible.
Philly phlyer, thanks also.
Luis, Faro, Portugal