São Paulo–Congonhas Airport Explained

São Paulo/Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport
Nativename:Portuguese: Aeroporto de São Paulo/Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre|italic=yes
Iata:CGH
Icao:SBSP
Lid:SP0001
Type:Public
City-Served:São Paulo
Hub:
Timezone:BRT
Focus City:Azul Brazilian Airlines
Metric-Elev:yes
Elevation-F:2,634
Elevation-M:803
Coordinates:-23.6261°N -46.6564°W
Pushpin Map:Brazil São Paulo City#Brazil São Paulo State#Brazil
Pushpin Label:CGH
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in São Paulo
Metric-Rwy:yes
R1-Number:17R/35L
R1-Length-F:6,173
R1-Length-M:1,883
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:17L/35R
R2-Length-F:4,905
R2-Length-M:1,495
R2-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2023
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:22,032,407 22%
Stat2-Header:Aircraft Operations
Stat2-Data:231,861 18%
Stat3-Header:Metric tonnes of cargo
Stat3-Data:32,491 2%
Footnotes:Statistics: AENA[1]
Sources: ANAC,[2] DECEA[3]

São Paulo/Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport pronounced as /pt/ is one of the four commercial airports serving São Paulo, Brazil. The airport is named after the neighborhood where it is located, called Vila Congonhas, property of the descendants of Lucas Antônio Monteiro de Barros (1767–1851), Viscount of Congonhas do Campo, first president of the province of São Paulo after the independence of Brazil in 1822, during the Empire. In turn, the Viscount's domain was named after the plural of a shrub known in Brazil as congonha-do-campo (Luxemburgia polyandra, of the Ochnaceae family).[4] Since June 19, 2017, it is officially named after Deputy José Freitas Nobre.[5] The name Congonhas, however, remains mostly used. It is owned by the City of São Paulo.

The airport is operated by AENA.

Congonhas has slot restrictions operating with a maximum of 30 operations/hour, being one of the five airports with such restrictions in Brazil.[6] In 2022, it was the second busiest airport in Brazil by passenger traffic, after São Paulo–Guarulhos.

The central hall of the passenger terminal is considered one of the most outstanding examples of modern architecture in São Paulo. However, modernizing and enlargement work has been conducted at the terminal from 2003 onwards, while trying to preserve the look of the older, historic section. Today the main terminal has 51,535 m2 (554,718 sq.ft) of space.[4]

History

The airport was initially planned in 1919, but it did not open until 12 April 1936.[7] The site was outside the built-up urban area at the time, and it was chosen because it had favourable winds and lay on a high hill with little vegetation. The airport was opened with a 300-metre (984-ft.) long dirt runway. In the beginning it was the private airport of VASP, built as an alternative to Campo de Marte which, already at that time, had operational difficulties. VASP started services to Rio de Janeiro on 5 August 1936, advertising two daily round trips of 90 minutes' flight time in each direction, starting a route that would eventually become one of the world's busiest. By 1957, the airport was the third busiest in the world for air cargo.[4] During the 1950s, Congonhas served all international flights to/from São Paulo, as its runways could accommodate the Lockheed Constellations, Douglas DC-6s, and Douglas DC-7s in use at that time. As early jets such as the Convair 880, Convair 990, Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 were bought by airlines, all long-haul travel shifted to Viracopos Airport, and the European airlines left Congonhas forever.

On 21 May 1959, a formal agreement between Varig, Cruzeiro do Sul and VASP created the shuttle service to Rio de Janeiro that made the airport famous, being the first of its kind in the world. The service was called Air Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte Aérea), inspired on the Berlin Airlift; its first flight was operated on 6 July 1959. It operated between Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont and Congonhas Airports and comprised regular departures, usually every half-hour, a common check-in counter and simplified tickets and formalities.[8] The service was an instant success. Sadia, later known as Transbrasil, joined the partnership in 1968. In 1999 the service was discontinued, as more competitive economic times made airlines decide to operate their services independently on that route.[9]

Until 1985, Congonhas was the main airport of São Paulo operating domestic flights, as well as international service to neighbouring countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. Due to Congonhas' short runways, unable to accommodate most long-haul jets, intercontinental flights required changing planes at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão or were operated at Viracopos Airport. However, Viracopos' distant location, in Campinas, 97km (60miles) from downtown São Paulo, made that choice inconvenient both for passengers and for airlines, so a connection in Rio was usually preferred.

Since the opening of Guarulhos Airport in 1985, international flights no longer operate from Congonhas, and domestic operations have undergone restrictions. Congonhas remains important to the city for regional and short-distance domestic flights. Given the concentration of Brazil's economy in the Central-Southern region, where São Paulo is located, such flights make up the greatest share of the country's domestic air traffic. Therefore, even after Guarulhos International Airport was opened, Congonhas continued to face congestion problems, regarding both the number of passengers and the number of flight operations. Yet the convenience of its short distance from downtown and from the major business areas of Paulista, Faria Lima and Luís Carlos Berrini avenues still makes Congonhas a favorite of passengers, especially business travelers.

The airport administrator, Infraero, started in 2003 a comprehensive renovation plan of the airport complex. A remodeling of departure and arrival halls with installation of 12 jetways was completed on 15 August 2004. In December 2005, a new parking garage was opened. The runways were resurfaced between February and September 2007. Runway length has not been extended because of the rapid growth of São Paulo, which has completely surrounded the airport.

The airport has been troubled by slippery runways and has had several accidents where water accumulation has been a significant factor, the most notable being the one involving TAM Airlines Flight 3054 on 17 July 2007: although the main runway had been repaved in June 2007, its new rainwater drainage grooves were only finished in September 2007. As a consequence of this accident and the subsequent public outcry for better safety performance and noise reduction, the airport's operations were significantly altered, through restrictions in the number of landing slots, flight distances, and operating times (presently from 6:00 to 22:30 hours). Furthermore, the maximum allowable gross weight of aircraft was reduced.

The largest aircraft now operating at Congonhas are the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737-800. However, in the past the airport used to have operations with Douglas DC-8 Vasp Cargo, Airbus A300 wide-body aircraft, by the now-defunct airlines Cruzeiro do Sul, Varig, VASP and Boeing 767-200[10] of also former Trans-Brasil.

In 2008 Congonhas lost its designation as an international airport.

On 31 August 2009, Infraero unveiled a (US$86.8 million; EUR 60.8 million) investment plan to up-grade Congonhas Airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which were held in Brazil, São Paulo being one of the venue cities. The investment involved a new control tower,[11] renovation of the apron, conclusion of the renovation on the south portion of the passenger terminal, and renovation of the north portion of the passenger terminal.[12]

Previously operated by Infraero, on August 18, 2022, the consortium AENA won a 30-year concession to operate the airport.[13]

Airlines and destinations

Note:

Flights operated with Voepass equipment on behalf of LATAM Brasil.

Flights temporarily being operated at Canoas Air Force Base.[14]

Statistics

Following is the number of passenger, aircraft and cargo movements at the airport, according to Infraero (2007-2022) and AENA (2023) reports:[15] [16] [1]

Year Passenger Aircraft Cargo (t)
202322,032,407 22% 231,861 18% 32,491 2%
202218,075,764 87% 196,137 55% 31,754 88%
20219,677,569 38% 126,277 30% 16,892 12%
20206,991,460 69% 97,450 55% 15,123 74%
201922,681,392 3% 217,254 2% 57,417 11%
201822,125,712 1% 222,298 2% 51,521 3%
201721,859,453 5% 217,918 2% 50,253 2%
201620,816,957 8% 213,043 49,231 10%
201519,279,644 6% 213,833 4% 54,507 9%
201418,134,768 6% 205,407 2% 59,588 5%
201317,119,530 2% 209,555 2% 62,460 4%
201216,775,770 213,419 2% 60,345 74%
201116,756,452 8% 209,280 2% 34,778 49%
201015,499,462 13% 204,943 6% 23,383 20%
200913,699,657 193,308 4% 29,247 10%
200813,672,301 10% 186,694 9% 32,519 7%
200715,265,433 205,564 34,905

Accidents and incidents

Access

The airport is located 8km (05miles) from downtown São Paulo, at Washington Luís Avenue, in the district of Campo Belo.

Azul Brazilian Airlines offers free bus transfers for its passengers between Congonhas and Campinas-Viracopos International Airport during regular times.[43]

Gol Airlines and TAM Airlines offer free bus transfers for their passengers between Congonhas and Guarulhos/Gov. André Franco Montoro Airport airports during regular times.[44] [45]

Further bus transportation is also available through the Airport Bus Service, an executive bus line, administered by EMTU and operated by Consórcio Internorte – Área 3. This service provides transportation between Guarulhos and Congonhas airports, via Tietê Bus Terminal, Palmeiras-Barra Funda Intermodal Terminal, Itaim Bibi, Praça da República, Tatuapé Metro Station and the circuit of hotels along Avenida Paulista and Rua Augusta. The ride takes about one hour, depending on traffic.[46]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Estatísticas. AENA Brasil. 29 January 2024. pt.
  2. Web site: Aeródromos. ANAC. 29 June 2020. 9 March 2021. pt.
  3. Web site: Congonhas - Deputado Freitas Nobre (SBSP). DECEA. 22 April 2024. pt.
  4. Web site: Aeroporto de Congonhas: Histórico. Infraero. pt. 4 August 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120605185722/http://www.infraero.com.br/index.php/br/aeroportos/sao-paulo/aeroporto-de-sao-paulo--congonhas/historico.html. 5 June 2012. dmy-all .
  5. Web site: Lei nº 13.450, de 16 de junho de 2017. Palácio do Planalto. 16 June 2017. 8 August 2019. pt. https://web.archive.org/web/20190808172854/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2017/Lei/L13450.htm. 8 August 2019. live.
  6. Web site: Procedimento de alocação de slots disponíveis. ANAC. pt. 3 August 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120125095124/http://www2.anac.gov.br/arquivos/pdf/Slots%20CGH.pdf. 25 January 2012. live.
  7. Web site: Como era São Paulo sem o aeroporto de Congonhas. O Estado de S. Paulo (acervo). pt. Rose. Saconi. 2 April 2013. 18 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130820060529/http://acervo.estadao.com.br/noticias/acervo,como-era-sao-paulo-sem-o-aeroporto-de-congonhas,8967,0.htm. 20 August 2013. live.
  8. Book: Gianfranco. Beting. Joelmir. Beting. Varig: Eterna Pioneira. Porto Alegre and São Paulo. EDIPUCRS and Beting Books. 2009. 978-85-7430-901-9. pt. 83–84.
  9. News: Ponte Aérea completa meio século. Revista da Associação dos tripulantes da TAM. 2–3. 2009. pt.
  10. Transbrasil Boeing 767. Boeing 767, o primeiro do Brasil. video. YouTube. São Paulo, Brazil. 23 July 2007.
  11. Web site: Congonhas: nova torre começa a funcionar. O Estado de S. Paulo. 8 May 2013. 8 May 2013. pt. https://web.archive.org/web/20130509021100/http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,congonhas-nova-torre-comeca-a-funcionar,1029682,0.htm. 9 May 2013. live.
  12. News: Infraero vai gastar R$ 5 bi em reforma de aeroportos. Valor Econômico. 31 August 2009. Rittner. Daniel. Braga. Paulo Victor. A4. pt. 18 March 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706155020/http://www.valoronline.com.br/. 6 July 2011. live.
  13. Web site: Única empresa a apresentar proposta, Aena leva Aeroporto de Congonhas . Agência Brasil . 18 August 2022 . 19 August 2022 . pt.
  14. Web site: LATAM também anuncia voos regulares na Base Aérea de Canoas (RS) e orienta passageiros sobre como proceder. Aeroin. 21 May 2024. 22 May 2024. pt.
  15. Web site: Anuário Estatístico Operacional. Infraero. 12 April 2012. 5 March 2024. pt.
  16. Web site: Estatísticas. Infraero. 5 March 2024. pt.
  17. Book: Pereira, Aldo . Breve História da Aviação Comercial Brasileira . Rio de Janeiro . Europa . 1987 . 338 . pt.
  18. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Serra da Cantareira . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 37–41 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  19. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Uma desgraça nunca vem só . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 49–53 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  20. Web site: Accident description PP-PBI . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104102734/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19440831-0 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  21. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Alternativa derradeira . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 66–68 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  22. Web site: Accident description PP-CBX . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104102746/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19480313-0 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  23. Web site: Accident description PP-SPQ . Aviation Safety Network . 18 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104104021/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19510908-0 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  24. Web site: Accident description PP-SPM . Aviation Safety Network . 20 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103222234/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520513-0 . 3 November 2012 . live .
  25. Web site: Accident description PP-PDA . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120719090207/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530617-1 . 19 July 2012 . live .
  26. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Panair 263 . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 126–131 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  27. Web site: Accident description PP-VBZ . Aviation Safety Network . 16 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104101504/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19540604-0 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  28. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Bloqueio do profundor . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 140–144 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  29. Web site: Accident description PP-SQV . Aviation Safety Network . 18 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104104011/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19590923-1 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  30. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Falha de motor na decolagem . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 177–181 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  31. Web site: Accident description PP-CEV . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110806032847/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630115-1 . 6 August 2011 . live .
  32. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Betelgeuse . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 229–232 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  33. Web site: Accident description PP-CDW . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104103111/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19630503-0 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  34. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Esquecimento fatal . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 233–238 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  35. Web site: Incident description PP-VJL . Aviation Safety Network . 16 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104101520/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720530-1 . 4 November 2012 . live .
  36. Web site: Accident description PP-SBE . Aviation Safety Network . 20 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103222329/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19750227-1 . 3 November 2012 . live .
  37. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . O primeiro Bandeirante . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 294–301 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  38. Web site: Accident description PT-MRK . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090123135940/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19961031-0 . 23 January 2009 . live .
  39. Book: Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César . O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 . Vinte e quatro segundos . EDIPUCRS . 2 . Porto Alegre . 2008 . 376–381 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . pt.
  40. Web site: Accident description PT-WHK . Aviation Safety Network . 13 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111209184938/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19970709-1 . 9 December 2011 . live .
  41. Web site: ASN Aircraft accident ATR 42-300 PT-MFK São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, SP (CGH). Ranter. Harro. aviation-safety.net. 2019-10-20.
  42. Web site: Accident description PR-MBK . Aviation Safety Network . 16 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120111110209/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20070717-0 . 11 January 2012 . live .
  43. Web site: Ônibus grátis . Azul . 9 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130506133550/http://www.voeazul.com.br/experiencia-azul/onibus-azul/congonhas . 6 May 2013 . live .
  44. Web site: Transporte para aeroportos . Gol Airlines . 30 August 2011 . pt . https://web.archive.org/web/20110925023518/http://www.voegol.com.br/pt-br/servicos/transporte-para-aeroportos/paginas/default.aspx . 25 September 2011 . live .
  45. Web site: Traslados Nacionais . TAM Airlines . 27 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110225135719/http://www.tam.com.br/b2c/vgn/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5ef993f30bb2d210VgnVCM1000009508020aRCRD . 25 February 2011 . live .
  46. Web site: Sistema Aeroporto . EMTU . pt . 4 August 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111005050614/http://www.emtu.sp.gov.br/aeroporto/ . 5 October 2011 . dmy-all .