Guararapes International Airport
Encyclopedia
Recife/Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport is the airport serving Recife
, Brazil. The name Guararapes is a reference to the Guararapes Battle
, fought in the surrounding area. Since 27 December 2001 the airport is also named after Gilberto de Almeida Freyre
(1900–1987), a renowned and Recife-born sociologist.
In 2010 the airport was ranked 9th in terms of transported passengers and 7th in terms of cargo handled in Brazil, placing it amongst the busiest airports in the country. It is operated by Infraero
.
Some of its facilities are shared with the Recife Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force
.
On 18 January 1958 a new passenger terminal, replacing the original facility, was inaugurated. During this time, runway 14/32 was extended from 1,800m to 2,010m, and runway 18/36 was extended from 1,800m to 2,400m.
In 1979 an agreement with Infraero was made in order to further develop the airport complex. The passenger terminal underwent its first major renovation in 1982 and another enlargement in 1990.
In 2004 a brand new passenger terminal was built in which to a transportation facility was added a shopping mall, thus generating more traffic and revenue. Furthermore, a new parking facility was opened in 2002 and capacity of the airport was raised from 1.5 to 5 million passengers/year.
On 31 August 2009 Infraero unveiled a BRL8.75 million (USD4.6 million; EUR3.2 million) investiment plan to up-grade Guararapes International Airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
which will be held in Brazil, Recife being one of the venue cities. The investment was used on the conclusion of the passenger terminal renovation with installation of further 8 jetways. The work was completed on 1 July 2011 and the airport is now considered ready for the FIFA Cup.
The Brazilian Integrated Air Traffic Control and Air Defense Center section 3 (Cindacta III
) is located in the vicinity of the airport.
, and 25 km (16 mi) from Suape port
.
Recife
Recife is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper...
, Brazil. The name Guararapes is a reference to the Guararapes Battle
Second Battle of Guararapes
The Second Battle of Guararapes was the second and decisive battle in a conflict called Pernambucana Insurrection, between Dutch and Portuguese forces in 1649 at Jaboatão dos Guararapes in the state of Pernambuco, ending the Dutch occupation of Brazil....
, fought in the surrounding area. Since 27 December 2001 the airport is also named after Gilberto de Almeida Freyre
Gilberto Freyre
Gilberto de Mello Freyre was a Brazilian sociologist, anthropologist, historian, writer, painter and congressman. His best-known work is a sociological treatise named Casa-Grande & Senzala...
(1900–1987), a renowned and Recife-born sociologist.
In 2010 the airport was ranked 9th in terms of transported passengers and 7th in terms of cargo handled in Brazil, placing it amongst the busiest airports in the country. It is operated by Infraero
Infraero
Empresa Brasileira de Infraestrutura Aeroportuária, Infraero in short, is a Brazilian government corporation created in 1972 and responsible for operating the main Brazilian commercial airports. In 2009, Infraero's airports carried 128,135,616 passengers and 1,114,754 tons of cargo and operated...
.
Some of its facilities are shared with the Recife Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
.
History
Originally called Ibura Airport, the airport had its name changed to Guararapes Airport in 1948. The facility has its origins in the time of World War II when an airport was built to replace the earlier airfield Parque do Encanta Moça. With the end of the War, the facility acquired a strategic importance as technical and refueling stop in the route from South America to Europe.On 18 January 1958 a new passenger terminal, replacing the original facility, was inaugurated. During this time, runway 14/32 was extended from 1,800m to 2,010m, and runway 18/36 was extended from 1,800m to 2,400m.
In 1979 an agreement with Infraero was made in order to further develop the airport complex. The passenger terminal underwent its first major renovation in 1982 and another enlargement in 1990.
In 2004 a brand new passenger terminal was built in which to a transportation facility was added a shopping mall, thus generating more traffic and revenue. Furthermore, a new parking facility was opened in 2002 and capacity of the airport was raised from 1.5 to 5 million passengers/year.
On 31 August 2009 Infraero unveiled a BRL8.75 million (USD4.6 million; EUR3.2 million) investiment plan to up-grade Guararapes International Airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
2014 FIFA World Cup
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international association football tournament that will take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014....
which will be held in Brazil, Recife being one of the venue cities. The investment was used on the conclusion of the passenger terminal renovation with installation of further 8 jetways. The work was completed on 1 July 2011 and the airport is now considered ready for the FIFA Cup.
The Brazilian Integrated Air Traffic Control and Air Defense Center section 3 (Cindacta III
CINDACTA
The air traffic control centers of Brazil are known by the acronym CINDACTA, or "Centro Integrado de Defesa Aérea e Controle de Tráfego Aéreo...
) is located in the vicinity of the airport.
Airlines and destinations
Accidents and incidents
- 1 November 1961: a Panair do BrasilPanair do BrasilPanair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
Douglas DC-7CDouglas DC-7The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
registration PP-PDO flying from SalAmilcar Cabral International AirportAmílcar Cabral International Airport , also known as Sal International Airport or Amílcar Cabral Airport, is the principal international airport of Cape Verde. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral....
to Recife, during its final approach at Recife, struck an 84m hill 2.7 km from the runway and broke-up. The aircraft was doing a night approach too low and outside the regular traffic pattern. The aircraft was doing a night approach too low and outside the regular traffic pattern. Forty-five passengers and crew out of the 88 persons aboard died. - 28 July 1968: a United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Douglas C-124C Globemaster II registration 51-5178 flying from Paramaribo-ZanderijJohan Adolf Pengel International AirportJohan Adolf Pengel International Airport , also known as Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport, is an airport located in the town of Zanderij, 45 km south of Paramaribo...
to Recife, while on approach to land at Recife, flew into a 1890 feet high hill 80km away from Recife. The 10 occupants died. - 14 March 1970: a ParaenseParaense Transportes AéreosParaense Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1952. It ceased operations in 1970.-History:Paraense Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded on February 18, 1952 by Antônio Alves Affonso Ramos Junior and made its maiden flight on March 30 of the same year, using a...
Fairchild Hiller FH-227BFairchild Hiller FH-227The Fairchild F-27 and Fairchild Hiller FH-227 were versions of the Fokker F27 Friendship twin-engined turboprop passenger aircraft manufactured under license by Fairchild Hiller in the United States...
registration PP-BUF flying from Recife to Belém-Val de CãesVal de Cães International AirportBelém-Val de Cães/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport is the main airport serving Belém, Brazil. Val de Cães, the name of the neighborhood where the airport is located, is the most common spelling although Val de Cans is also considered correct...
, while on final approach to land at Belém, crashed into Guajará Bay. Of the 40 passengers and crew, 2 survived. - 14 December 1987: a Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
Lockheed C-130H HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
registration FAB-2468, flying from Recife to Fernando de NoronhaFernando de Noronha AirportFernando de Noronha Airport is the airport serving the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.-History:Fernando de Noronha is the biggest island of the archipelago with the same name, located on Brazilian territorial waters, away from Recife and away from Natal.The first runway was built in 1934...
, crashed into the sea shortly before landing. All 29 crew and passengers died. - 20 September 1990: an Embraer EMB110P1 BandeiranteEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
registration PT-FAW belonging to the Government of Pernambuco, flying from Fernando de NoronhaFernando de Noronha AirportFernando de Noronha Airport is the airport serving the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.-History:Fernando de Noronha is the biggest island of the archipelago with the same name, located on Brazilian territorial waters, away from Recife and away from Natal.The first runway was built in 1934...
to Recife, crashed into the sea shortly after take-off. All 12 crew and passengers died. - 11 November 1991: a NordesteNordeste Linhas Aereas RegionaisNordeste Linhas Aéreas Regionais was a regional airline based in Brotas, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil which operated scheduled passenger services in northeast and southeast Brazil...
Embraer EMB110P1 BandeiranteEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
registration PT-SCU, flying from Recife to Salvador da BahiaDeputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International AirportSalvador-Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport , formerly called Dois de Julho International Airport is the airport serving Salvador da Bahia, Brazil...
, during on initial climb had an engine failure followed by fire. The aircraft crashed on populated area. All 15 occupants of the aircraft and 2 persons on the ground died. - 15 September 2001: a TAM Airlines Fokker 100 registration PT-MRN operating the charter flight 9755, flying from Recife to Campinas-Viracopos, following an uncontrolled engine failure en route to Campinas had 3 cabin windows shattered by fragments of the engine and made an emergency landing at Belo Horizonte-ConfinsTancredo Neves International AirportTancredo Neves International Airport , formerly called Confins International Airport, is the main airport serving Belo Horizonte, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of Confins...
. One passenger was sucked out partly and held by another passenger until the aircraft landed. The passenger did not survive though. - 13 July 2011: a Noar Linhas AéreasNoar Linhas AéreasNoar Linhas Aéreas a regional domestic airline with headquarters in Caruaru, Brazil. Regular scheduled services started on June 14, 2010....
Let L-410 Turbolet registration PR-NOB operating flight 4896Noar Linhas Aéreas Flight 4896Noar Linhas Aéreas Flight 4896 was a domestic scheduled passenger flight from Recife Airport, Brazil, to Mossoró Airport via Natal. On 13 July 2011, it was operated by Let L-410UVP-E20 PR-NOB. Shortly after take-off, a mayday was issued and the crew indicated their intention to land on the beach at...
from Recife to NatalAugusto Severo International AirportAugusto Severo International Airport , formerly called Parnamirim Airport, is the airport serving Natal, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of Parnamirim...
crashed shortly after take-off from Recife. All 16 occupants were killed.
Access
The airport is located 14 km (9 mi) from downtown Recife, 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) from Boa Viagem BeachBoa Viagem, Recife
Boa Viagem is a neighborhood in the city of Recife, Pernambuco in the privileged southern zone of the town. The neighborhood has one of the most visited beaches in Northeastern Brazil, Boa Viagem beach....
, and 25 km (16 mi) from Suape port
Suape port
Suape Port is a Brazilian International Port located in the city of Ipojuca state of Pernambuco, among the municipalities of Ipojuca and Cabo de Santo Agostinho, inside the Recife metropolitan area and distant 40 km South of the capital . Suape serves ships 365 days a year without any restriction...
.
See also
- List of the busiest airports in Brazil
- Recife Air Force Base