Silvio Pettirossi International Airport Explained

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport
Nativename:	Spanish; Castilian: Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi|italic=yes
Iata:	ASU
Icao:	SGAS
Type:	Public/military
City-Served:	Asunción
Location:	Luque, Paraguay
Hub:	LATAM Paraguay Paranair
Timezone:	Time in Paraguay
Metric-Elev:	yes
Elevation-F:	292
Elevation-M:	89
Coordinates:	-25.2397°N -57.5192°W
Pushpin Map:	Paraguay Asunción#Paraguay
Pushpin Label:	ASU
Pushpin Map Caption:	Location of airport in Paraguay
Metric-Rwy:	yes
R1-Number:	02/20
R1-Length-F:	11,001
R1-Length-M:	3,353
R1-Surface:	Asphalt
Stat-Year:	2023
Stat1-Header:	Passengers
Stat1-Data:	1,027,766 17%
Stat2-Header:	Aircraft operations
Stat2-Data:	48,460 1%
Stat3-Header:	Metric tonnes of cargo
Stat3-Data:	12,901 10%
Footnotes:	Statistics: DINAC^[1]

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is an international airport in Luque, Paraguay, which serves Paraguay's capital city, Asunción, and indirectly serves the nearby city of Clorinda, Formosa, in Argentina. The airport is named after Paraguayan aviator Silvio Pettirossi. Between 1980 and 1989, it was known as President Stroessner International Airport, after the former head of state, Alfredo Stroessner.

It is the main international hub for LATAM Paraguay and Paranair.

Some of its facilities are shared with the Ñu-Guazú Air Force Base of the Paraguayan Air Force.

History

The airport was inaugurated on 11 June 1938. The airport's runway was constructed in the 1960s, and was resurfaced in 1985.

Spanish airline Iberia provided direct flights to Asunción from Madrid from around 1968 until the mid-1990s.^[2] Lufthansa flew once a week from Frankfurt to Asunción from 1971 to 1980, with DC-10 service starting in 1974.^[3] For both airlines, the flights included multiple stops in destinations throughout South America. Also, between the early 1990s and 1996, Lineas Aereas Paraguayas flew nonstop to Frankfurt with its DC-10.

2000s

In November 2004, the director of Direccion Nacional de Aeronautica Civil (DINAC), Eustaquio Ocáriz, told ABC Color that the airport's runway, which had repair work started in 2001, but halted due to lack of funds, would be completed by the early months of 2005.^[4]

On 31 July 2007, at 05:10am, a group of five men stole from a money exchange on the bottom floor of the airport.^{[5] [6] [7]} One of the robbers, Juan Pablo Ortigoza, was detained, along with others.^[8] Another robber was captured in Encarnación.^[9] It was later discovered that the robbery was planned in Asunción's Tacumbú prison.^[10] One of the arrested stated they received for the robbery.^[11] The money was going to be sent on a flight to Uruguay.^{[12] [13]}

In May 2008, a report concluded that Paraguay's aeronautic systems were in a critical state and needed to be replaced.^[14] In November 2009, new instrument landing systems began operating.^[15] The equipment was acquired at a cost of . The previous system that was replaced was installed in 1980. The implementation of the system made Paraguay up to date with the requirements of international security as a member of the OACI.

2010s

In January 2013, various improvements were made to the terminal.^[16] By 2015, some airlines had ceased operations at the airport, including American Airlines.^[17] On 17 December 2015, Air Europa began service between Pettirossi and Madrid, Spain, creating the first direct connection between Paraguay and Europe in 21 years.^[18]

In 2017, airport infrastructure specialist Carlos Achucarro estimated that the airport would require expansion before 2024. In January 2018, DINAC reported that the airport has seen a 15 percent rise in travellers from 2013 to 2017.^[19] The airport also saw an increase in flights, from 20 daily flights to about 60 flights by 2018.

2020s

Pettirossi Airport ceased operating commercial flights for 7 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, DINAC announced a ceremony for the resumption of flights.^{[20] [21]}

In November 2020, drugs were found by agents of the National Secretary of Antidrugs. They were disguised as parcels and were to be sent to various countries.^[22] In February 2021, plans for a second terminal were unveiled, to be started in 2022.^[23] In October 2021, a new route, operated by Paranair, was announced between Pettirossi and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.^[24]

Terminals

The original passenger terminal, located near threshold 02, is now instead used by Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT) of the Paraguayan Air Force. The current terminal began service on 20 March 1980.^[25]

The terminal building is split into two international concourses: the south concourse having gates 1 to 4, and the north concourse having gates 5 and 6. On 26 May 2023, renovation works of the north concourse were completed, greatly expanding the arrivals hall.^[26]

Airlines and destinations

Cargo

Statistics

Following is the number of passenger, aircraft and cargo movements at the airport, according to the Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (DINAC) reports:^{[1] [27] [28]}

Year	Passenger	Aircraft	Cargo (t)
2023	1,027,766 17%	48,460 1%	12,901 10%
2022	876,625 102%	48,108 8%	14,308 7%
2021	433,732 39%	44,389 25%	15,313 31%
2020	311,813 75%	35,405 34%	11,704 9%
2019	1,239,403 2%	53,353	12,811 4%
2018	1,211,576 3%	53,443 6%	13,398 3%
2017	1,180,111 14%	50,485 5%	13,788 2%
2016	1,033,168 13%	48,025	14,110 16%
2015	910,554 1%	47,942 4%	12,199 11%
2014	915,425 10%	46,028 15%	10,954 16%
2013	835,323 4%	39,974 8%	9,444
2012	868,534 6%	43,336 5%	9,491 6%
2011	823,207 12%	41,462 15%	8,986 34%
2010	733,810 23%	36,030 25%	6,729 22%
2009	595,145 6%	28,933 3%	5,434 23%
2008	631,338	29,683	7,054

Accidents and incidents

• 16 June 1955: a Panair do Brasil–owned Lockheed L-149 Constellation, with registration PP-PDJ, was operating flight 263 from São Paulo-Congonhas to Asunción. It hit a 12m tree while on its final approach to land at Asunción. Part of the wing broke off, the aircraft crashed and caught fire. Of the 24 passengers and crew aboard, 16 died.^{[29] [30]}
• 27 August 1959: an Aerolíneas Argentinas–owned de Havilland DH-106 Comet 4, with registration LV-AHP, was operating a flight from Buenos Aires to Asunción. While on approach to Asunción, bad weather caused a forced landing close to the airport. A crew member and a passenger died.^[31]
• 29 August 1980: a Transporte Aéreo Militar–owned Douglas C-47B, with registration FAP2016, crashed on approach to Asunción. The aircraft was on a flight to Ayolas when an engine failed shortly after take-off and the decision was made to land back at Asunción. One person died.^[32]
• 4 February 1996: a cargo LAC Colombia–owned Douglas DC-8-55F, with registration HK-3979X, was on an empty positioning flight around Asunción prior to a flight from Asunción to Campinas. At VR power was reduced on no. 1 engine and, after rotation, also on the no. 2 engine. With the gear still down and flaps at 15° the aircraft lost control and crashed on a playing field 2 km past the runway. The crew possibly used the positioning flight as an opportunity for crew training. All four occupants of the aircraft and 20 persons on the ground died.^[33]

Access

The airport, located within the municipality of Luque, is located 10km (10miles) from downtown Asunción. It may be reached via the Aviadores del Chaco Avenue, which runs adjacent to nearby Ñu Guasú Park. Bus line 30-A links Asunción's downtown with the airport terminal.

See also

• List of airports in Paraguay
• Transport in Paraguay

Notes and References

1. Web site: RESUMEN ESTADISTICO DEL TRANSPORTE AEREO COMERCIAL PERIODO ENERO A DICIEMBRE 2023 COMPARADO 2022. es. DINAC. 2023-02-14.
2. Web site: A 50 años del primer vuelo de Iberia a Asunción. 1 July 2016. 27 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171028043322/https://aeronauticapy.com/2016/07/01/a-50-anos-del-primer-vuelo-de-iberia-a-asuncion/. 28 October 2017. live.
3. Web site: Un día como hoy de 1974 Lufthansa llegaba a Asunción con DC10. 5 July 2016. 27 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171028042759/https://aeronauticapy.com/2016/07/05/un-dia-como-hoy-de-1974-lufthansa-llegaba-a-asuncion-con-dc10/. 28 October 2017. live.
4. Web site: En marzo de 2005 finalizará bacheo de la peligrosa pista del "Silvio Pettirossi" - Economía - ABC Color . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906023040/https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/economia/en-marzo-de-2005-finalizara-bacheo-de-la-peligrosa-pista-del-silvio-pettirossi-798606.html . 6 September 2021 . 6 September 2021.
5. Web site: Los megaasaltos más sonados en Paraguay. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906091533/https://www.ultimahora.com/los-megaasaltos-mas-sonados-paraguay-n1080595.html/amp. live.
6. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/implicado-en-robo-en-aeropuerto-fue-desplumado-a-dos-dias-del-atraco-1004971.html%3foutputType=amp
7. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/suplementos/judicial/golpe-en-aeropuerto-1618000.html%3foutputType=amp
8. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/arrestan-a-megaasaltante-por-el-robo-del-millon-de-dolares-1000666.html%3foutputType=amp
9. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/capturan-al-hombre-del-maletin-de-millonario-robo-1011034.html%3foutputType=amp
10. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/el-robo-de-un-millon-de-dolares-fue-planificado-en-la-carcel-de-tacumbu-999676.html%3foutputType=amp
11. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/habria-recibido-us-60000-tras-robo-en-el-aeropuerto-1011076.html%3foutputType=amp
12. https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/roban-un-millon-de-dolares-en-asalto-en-el-aeropuerto-999321.html%3foutputType=amp
13. Web site: Detenidos en San Lorenzo tuvieron vinculación con robo en el aeropuerto - Nacionales - ABC Color. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906093947/https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/detenidos-en-san-lorenzo-tuvieron-vinculacion-con-robo-en-el-aeropuerto-157072.html. live.
14. Web site: El aeropuerto de Silvio Pettirossi podría dejar de operar en 45 días | Innovación. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906023844/https://www.hosteltur.com/53176_aeropuerto-silvio-pettirossi-podria-dejar-operar-45-dias.html. live.
15. Web site: Comenzó a operar el nuevo ILS del aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906023220/https://www.ultimahora.com/comenzo-operar-el-nuevo-ils-del-aeropuerto-silvio-pettirossi-n275055.html/amp. live.
16. Web site: Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi muestra nueva imagen - Interior - ABC Color. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906090705/https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/interior/aeropuerto-silvio-pettirossi-ya-muestra-una-nueva-imagen-528190.html?outputType=amp. live.
17. Web site: Sostienen que ampliación de aeropuerto internacional de Asunción solamente requiere US$30M AméricaEconomía AméricaEconomía. 16 January 2017. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906091213/https://www.americaeconomia.com/negocios-industrias/sostienen-que-ampliacion-de-aeropuerto-internacional-de-asuncion-solamente. dead.
18. Web site: Llegó a Paraguay primer vuelo de Air Europa - Nacionales - ABC Color. ABC. Color. 4 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160110162733/http://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/llego-primer-vuelo-de-air-europa-1436666.html. 10 January 2016. live.
19. Web site: Noelia Ferreira . Dinac modifica el Silvio Pettirossi para mejorar calidad del servicio - .::Agencia IP:: . Ip.gov.py . 17 January 2018. 2021-12-04 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906141801/https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/dinac-modifica-aeropuerto-logrando-mejorar-la-calidad-del-servicio/ . live .
20. Web site: La Nación / Dinac se prepara para la reapertura comercial del Silvio Pettirossi. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906090904/https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios/2020/10/19/dinac-se-prepara-para-la-reapertura-comercial-del-silvio-pettirossi/?outputType=amp. live.
21. Web site: La NaciĂłn / Este jueves reinician vuelos comerciales en el aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi . Lanacion.com.py . 2020-10-21 . 2021-12-04 . 3 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211103234738/https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios/2020/10/21/este-jueves-reinician-vuelos-comerciales-en-el-aeropuerto-silvio-pettirossi/?outputType=amp . live .
22. Web site: La Nación / Alerta aeropuerto Paraguay: Drogas disfrazadas de encomiendas. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906091054/https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2020/11/11/alerta-aeropuerto-paraguay-drogas-disfrazada-de-encomiendas/?outputType=amp. live.
23. Web site: La nueva terminal del aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi recibirá financiación del MOPC . es. Icex.es . 2021-12-04 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906145001/https://www.icex.es/icex/es/navegacion-principal/todos-nuestros-servicios/informacion-de-mercados/paises/navegacion-principal/noticias/aeropuerto-asuncion-mopc-new2021873473.html?idPais=PY . live .
24. Web site: Nueva ruta que conecta Asunción con Santa Cruz de la Sierra fue habilitada . Ultimahora.com . 2021-12-04 . 3 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211103234557/https://www.ultimahora.com/nueva-ruta-que-conecta-asuncion-santa-cruz-la-sierra-fue-habilitada-n2967154.html/amp . live .
25. Web site: 20 March 2019 . Un día como hoy se inauguraba la actual terminal del aeropuerto de Asunción . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210305123506/https://aeronauticapy.com/2019/03/20/un-dia-como-hoy-se-inauguraba-la-actual-terminal-del-aeropuerto-de-asuncion/ . 5 March 2021 . 25 February 2021 . Aeronauticapy . es.
26. Web site: Inauguran ampliación del Espigón Norte del aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi. Aeronauticapy. 28 June 2023. 29 June 2023. es.
27. Web site: INFORME ESTADISTICO DEL TRANSPORTE AÉREO ENERO A DICIEMBRE - 2022. DINAC. es. 2023-02-14. 30 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230130131607/http://www.dinac.gov.py/estadisticas/DATOS_ESTADISTICO_2022_DICIEMBRE.pdf. dead.
28. Web site: Datos Estadísticos mensuales del Transporte Aéreo Comercial en Paraguay. Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (DINAC). 6 July 2023. es.
29. Web site: Accident description PP-PDJ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112213910/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19550616-1 . 12 November 2013 . 22 May 2013 . Aviation Safety Network.
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 . EDIPUCRS . 2008 . 978-85-7430-760-2 . 2 . Porto Alegre . 145–149 . pt . Noite do Paraguai.
31. Web site: Accident description LV-AHP . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210508095813/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19590827-0 . 8 May 2021 . 25 February 2021 . Aviation Safety Network.
32. Web site: Accident description FAP2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121102140642/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800827-0 . 2 November 2012 . 24 July 2010 . Aviation Safety Network.
33. Web site: Accident description HK-3979X . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120301120322/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19960204-0 . 1 March 2012 . 1 July 2011 . Aviation Safety Network.