Owais Crawford
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, commonly referred to as Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport or Galeão Airport, is the main international airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The airport code for this airport is GIG.
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What You'll Learn
- GIG is the airport code for Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport
- The airport is named after the neighbourhood of Galeão, specifically Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach)
- Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport is the biggest airport in Rio de Janeiro
- The airport is informally known as the old Galeão
- GIG is a bigger airport, with 21 airlines flying to 66 airports around the world
GIG is the airport code for Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport
The airport was opened on 1 February 1952 and has since undergone various renovations and expansions. It is currently operated by the concessionary Rio Galeão, a consortium formed by the Brazilian investor Odebrecht and Changi Airport Group, with minority participation from the government-owned company Infraero.
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport is the biggest airport in the city and is primarily used for international flights, while Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) handles mostly domestic routes. The airport features a cargo terminal and a passenger terminal that is considered a national landmark due to its modernist design.
GIG airport is served by 21 airlines, including major carriers such as Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, and Emirates. These airlines connect Rio de Janeiro to 66 airports worldwide, with direct flights to destinations such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco. The route with the longest flight time from GIG is to Dubai (DXB), with a travel time of approximately 13 hours and 45 minutes.
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The airport is named after the neighbourhood of Galeão, specifically Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach)
The airport code GIG refers to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, the main international airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The airport code GIG is derived from the airport's name and location, Galeão, a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro.
The history of Galeão International Airport is closely tied to the growth of aviation in Brazil. On May 10, 1923, a School of Naval Aviation was established near Galeão Beach on Governador Island. In 1941, with the creation of the Brazilian Air Force Ministry, the school became the Galeão Air Force Base, marking the beginning of its transformation into an important aviation hub. During World War II, the aerodrome was extensively used by the Allies, further highlighting its strategic importance.
Over the years, the airport has undergone renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic. In 1952, a new passenger terminal was opened, which remained in use until 1977. The complex, now informally known as the "old Galeão," played a significant role in establishing the airport's prestige. In 1976, the Concorde made its maiden scheduled flight to Galeão, a testament to its significance as an international air-hub.
In 1999, the airport's name was changed to honour Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim, who composed "Samba do Avião," explicitly mentioning Galeão Airport. Today, the airport is operated by Rio Galeão, a consortium that includes the Brazilian investor Odebrecht and Changi Airport Group, with minority participation from the government-owned company Infraero, its previous operator.
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Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport is the biggest airport in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport, also known as Galeão Airport, is the biggest airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The airport is located 20 km north of downtown Rio de Janeiro.
The airport was originally named after the neighbourhood of Galeão, with Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach) located in front of the original passenger terminal. The beach is where the galleon Padre Eterno was built in 1663. On January 5, 1999, the name was changed to include a tribute to the Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim. The airport is now officially known as Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport.
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport has Brazil's longest runway and one of the largest cargo and logistics terminals in Latin America. The airport is served by all major Brazilian carriers, as well as most major North American, Latin American, and European airlines. The airport is currently operated by the concessionary Rio Galeão, a consortium formed by the Brazilian investor Odebrecht and the Changi Airport Group. The previous operator, the government-owned company Infraero, maintains a minority stake in the airport.
The history of the airport dates back to May 10, 1923, when a School of Naval Aviation was established near Galeão Beach on Governador Island. In 1941, with the creation of the Brazilian Air Force Ministry, the school became the Galeão Air Force Base, with the construction of a terminal, hangars, and an extended runway. During World War II, the aerodrome was used extensively by the Allies. After the war, the increasing tonnage of aircraft and passengers led to a decision to build a new passenger terminal across from the Air Force Base. The new terminal was opened on February 1, 1952, and remained in use until 1977.
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The airport is informally known as the old Galeão
The GIG in Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport stands for its IATA code. The airport is informally known as the "old Galeão" and is the main international airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The airport was originally named after the neighbourhood of Galeão, with Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach) located in front of the original passenger terminal. This beach is where the galleon Padre Eterno was built in 1663. On 5 January 1999, the name was changed to include a tribute to the Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim. The airport is mentioned in his composition Samba do Avião.
On 10 May 1923, a School of Naval Aviation was established near Galeão Beach on Governador Island. On 22 May 1941, the school became the Galeão Air Force Base, and a terminal and hangars were built. When Brazil declared war against the Axis on 22 August 1942, the aerodrome was used intensely by the Allies for military operations during World War II.
At the end of the war, the Santos Dumont Airport could not handle the increased number of aircraft flying on international routes, so international flights were moved to the Galeão Air Force Base. However, the services were precarious, and a new passenger terminal was built opposite the Air Force Base. This new terminal opened on 1 February 1952 and remained in use until 1977.
In the 1970s, the airport was Brazil's major international and domestic hub. On 20 January 1977, a new terminal (Passenger Terminal 1) was opened to accommodate most of Brazil's major international flights. However, in 1985, the airport lost its title as the country's primary international airport to the newly opened São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport.
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GIG is a bigger airport, with 21 airlines flying to 66 airports around the world
Galeão Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport (GIG) is a large airport located in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. It is the most convenient airport to fly from Rio De Janeiro. As of March 2025, there are 21 airlines flying from Rio De Janeiro to 66 airports worldwide. These airlines include major carriers such as American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, and United Airlines. The airport has a rich history, with the Concorde making its scheduled maiden flight to the airport in 1976 and featuring in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker.
The airport's original name was Galeão International Airport, derived from its location in the Galeão neighbourhood, which is named after the nearby Galleon Beach (Praia do Galeão). In 1999, the airport's name was changed to honour the Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim, who composed the song "Samba do Avião," which mentions the airport.
Over the years, Galeão International Airport has experienced fluctuations in its importance. It was once Brazil's major international and domestic hub but lost its status in 1985 to the newly-opened São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport. However, since 2004, it has regained its significance with the addition of new flights and airlines. The airport has also undergone renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic.
Today, Galeão Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport remains an important gateway to Rio De Janeiro, offering direct, non-stop flights to various destinations. It is one of three airports in the city, including the Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport and the Juiz de Fora Zona da Mata Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
GIG is the airport code for Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport.
The full name of the airport is Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport.
The airport code for Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport is GIG.
The airport was originally known as Galeão International Airport, named after the neighbourhood of Galeão and the nearby beach. On January 5, 1999, the name was changed to honour Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim. The airport has been in operation since 1977 and is currently managed by a consortium of private companies and government entities.
