iniBuilds releases Ponta Delgada Airport for MSFS

I’ve said it recently and I’ll say it again: the Azores deserve better scenery in Microsoft Flight Simulator. These remote islands in the middle of the Atlantic offer some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, perfectly complemented by short and challenging airports which welcome short daily hops from SATA Air Açores and its fleet of Bombardier Dash 8. If only the virtual scenery could receive a proper upgrade from MS/Asobo…

The Azores are an exquisite location to fly around and train in tough meteorological conditions, so it’s the perfect playground for a myriad of simulated operations in Microsoft Flight Simulator. We recently saw Seafront Simulations breathe new life into the coastal areas around the archipelago, and today we’re happy to report that the main airport serving these islands, LPPD Ponta Delgada, is now available in great detail from the scenery wizards at iniBuilds!

iniBuilds Ponta Delgada MSFS 5

iniBuilds Ponta Delgada MSFS 4

iniBuilds Ponta Delgada MSFS 2

iniBuilds Ponta Delgada MSFS 1

Ponta Delgada – João Paulo II Airport, named in honor of Pope John Paul II, is located about 1400km east from mainland Portugal. Its proximity to both Europe and the United States makes it a strategic hub for transatlantic flights. With a runway length of 2,497m, it’s perfectly poised to handle both short hops and longer flights. Major airlines like British Airways and United Airlines frequent this airport, making it a bustling hub in the middle of the Atlantic.

Moreover, the airport’s location offers a set of unique challenges for pilots. The unpredictable weather conditions of the Azores, combined with the airport’s coastal location, make for thrilling take-offs and landings. For simmers, this means every flight to and from Ponta Delgada promises a different experience, either flying an A320 to some capital in Europe or a Dash 8-Q400 to a nearby island with strong winds and poor visibility.

iniBuilds has a reputation for delivering top-notch quality in their sceneries, so we’re expecting an impressive virtual rendition of LPPD. The announced specifications are promising, revealing full interiors that give a real sense of being inside the terminal and nearby POIs that showcase the local culture and history. The enhanced coastline cliffs, for example, are a visual treat, reflecting the rugged beauty of the Azores. As pilots approach or depart from the airport, the custom statues and water features nearby also provide a sense of place.

Beyond the airport, iniBuilds is also taking the opportunity to enhance some of Ponta Delgada’s features. There’s a custom model of the Fort of São Brás, a significant landmark in the city. The enhanced port area and the landside of the airport further add to the immersion.

iniBuilds shared a trailer video that depicts many of these features in more detail. Looks terrific, and it’s now available via the iniBuilds store, priced at just around €15.00.

Scenery Features

  • Up to date airport layout, reflecting current real-world locations, including high quality models of all airport buildings & objects.
  • Hand-made textures with crisp, bespoke texture sets, including modelled cliffs.
  • Accurate, high quality modelled surrounding POIs including ambient lighting.
  • True-to-life airport landside recreation with custom ground decals, street signs, vegetation, parking barriers and more.
  • Highly detailed Port of Ponta Delgada.
  • Accurately modelled and positioned dynamic airport lighting.
  • Detailed modelled terminal interior.
  • Official GSX Profile included in the scenery folder.