Congonhas goes global: São Paulo’s downtown airport to cross borders
Brazil’s SAC approved Aena’s request to internationalize Congonhas Airport, targeting South American routes starting in 2028.
- Brazil’s SAC approved Aena Brasil’s request to internationalize Congonhas Airport (CGH) in São Paulo to resume regular international operations.
- The international routes will be short- and medium-haul within South America, with regular operations targeted to start in 2028.
- An expansion and modernization project (investment > R$2 billion / ~USD360 million) includes a new passenger terminal due June 2028 and increasing boarding bridges from 12 to 19.
- Infrastructure upgrades: new aircraft parking apron, new airline hangars, and facilities for migration, customs, health, and agricultural control agencies.
- Kleber Meira, Executive Director of Congonhas Airport, emphasized the airport’s role as an efficient central hub to boost regional integration.
- Historical context: Congonhas served international flights until 1985, domestic limits were adjusted after the 2007 TAM 3054 accident and lifted in 2015.
- Congonhas handled 23.1 million passengers in 2024, remaining Brazil’s second busiest airport after Guarulhos.
Brazil's National Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SAC) issued a favorable opinion for Congonhas Airport (CGH) in São Paulo to resume regular international operations.
The decision follows a request by the concessionaire Aena Brasil and aligns with the National Civil Aviation Policy (PNAC) and the National Aviation Plan (PAN), as reported by our partner media Aeroin.
The technical proposal validated by SAC involves the operation of short- and medium-haul international routes within South America. This initiative is part of an expansion and modernization project for the São Paulo terminal, involving an investment exceeding R$ 2 billion (~USD 360 million).
- ¿Qué autorizó la Secretaría Nacional de Aviación Civil (SAC) respecto a Congonhas?
Autorizó la internacionalización de Congonhas Airport para reanudar operaciones internacionales regulares, con rutas cortas y medianas dentro de Sudamérica.
- ¿Cuándo están previstas las primeras operaciones internacionales regulares?
La concesionaria estima que las operaciones internacionales regulares comenzarán en 2028, coincidiendo con la apertura de las nuevas instalaciones programadas.
- ¿Cuál es la inversión y las principales obras del proyecto de modernización?
El proyecto supera los R$2.000 millones (~USD360 millones) e incluye un nuevo terminal de pasajeros (entrega en junio de 2028), aumento de mangas de embarque de 12 a 19, nueva plataforma de estacionamiento, hangares y dependencias para migración, aduana, salud y control agrícola.
- ¿Qué impacto histórico tuvo el accidente del vuelo TAM 3054 en 2007 para Congonhas?
Tras el accidente, se estableció exclusividad para rutas de hasta 1.500 km en línea recta; esa restricción fue finalmente levantada en 2015.
- ¿Cuántos pasajeros manejó Congonhas en 2024 y cuál es su posición en Brasil?
Manejó 23.1 millones de pasajeros en 2024 y es el segundo aeropuerto más transitado de Brasil, detrás de Guarulhos.
Construction is underway, with a new passenger terminal scheduled for delivery by June 2028. The project will increase the number of boarding bridges from 12 to 19.
Infrastructure upgrades include a new aircraft parking apron, new hangars for airlines, and the establishment of facilities for migration, customs, health, and agricultural control agencies.
"The internationalization of Congonhas is an important step within the modernization project of the São Paulo capital airport," stated Kleber Meira, Executive Director of Congonhas Airport. Meira added that the objective is to establish an efficient central hub in the southern hemisphere's main metropolis to boost regional integration.
A few years ago, there was talk of the possibility of establishing flights between Congonhas and Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires, which, due to its location close to the city centre, would create a unique corporate corridor between the two largest South American cities.
The latter airport has rapidly expanded its international operations in recent years, now flying to 16 destinations in South America, with Bogotá being the furthest.
Following the SAC approval, the administrative process moves to evaluation stages with other relevant authorities. The concessionaire's schedule estimates that regular international operations will begin in 2028, coinciding with the opening of the new facilities, focusing on operational safety and service optimization at São Paulo's central airfield.
Congonhas Airport was the first to serve São Paulo on a large scale in the 1930s, operating domestic and international flights until 1985, when most flights were transferred to the new Guarulhos Airport, leaving only a few regional flights and those connecting to Rio de Janeiro.
In 1990, domestic flights to other Brazilian cities were allowed to return, until 2007, when, following the accident involving TAM flight 3054, exclusivity was established for routes of up to 1,500 km in a straight line, which was finally lifted in 2015.
Congonhas Airport handled 23.1 million passengers in 2024, maintaining its position as the second busiest airport in Brazil after Guarulhos (43 million)
