Airport Codes For Brazil: What You Need To Know

what is the airport code brazil

Brazil is home to several busy airports, each with its own unique airport code. These airport codes, such as GRU for São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport, are essential for identifying and differentiating the various airports within the country. Beyond their functional purpose, these airport codes also serve as a gateway to exploring Brazil's vibrant cities, breathtaking natural wonders, and diverse culture. From the bustling hub of GRU Airport to the charming city of Rio de Janeiro, served by the second-busiest Galeão Airport, each airport code unlocks a distinct experience in this captivating South American nation.

Characteristics Values
Number of public airports 493
Number of private airports 4,789
Busiest airport São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport (GRU Airport)
Second busiest airport Galeão Airport
Airport with the highest passenger traffic Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport, São Paulo (>20 million passengers/year)
Airport with the second-highest passenger traffic Galeão International Airport, Rio de Janeiro (>13 million passengers/year)
Airport serving the capital, Brasilia Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport
Airport serving Campinas Viracopos Airport
Airport serving Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves Airport
Airport serving Recife Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport

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São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport (GRU)

São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport, also known by the codes GRU and SBGR, is the primary international airport serving São Paulo, Brazil. It is the largest airport in Brazil and one of the largest in the world. The airport is located in the municipality of Guarulhos, 25 kilometres northeast of downtown São Paulo.

São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport is commonly known as Guarulhos Airport, and it has also been called Cumbica Airport, after the district where it is located. Since 2001, the airport has been officially named after André Franco Montoro, the former Governor of São Paulo state. In 2012, the airport was rebranded as GRU Airport, and its terminals were renumbered in 2015.

As the busiest airport in Brazil, São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport ranks first in terms of cargo handling, aircraft operations, and transported passengers. It is the second busiest airport in Latin America, with over 36 million passengers annually. The airport has three terminals and two parallel runways.

In recent years, the airport has undergone significant developments, including the construction of additional taxiways, the enlargement of aprons and taxiways, and the construction of Terminal 3, which added 12 million passenger capacity. These improvements were made in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport is easily accessible by road, with a cooperative of over 650 air-conditioned vehicles providing exclusive taxi services to and from the airport. The airport can also be reached by bus, with EMTU offering a business-class bus service between Guarulhos Airport and Congonhas International Airport.

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Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport

The airport complex covers an area of approximately 1.6 million square metres, with two runways capable of handling up to 40 or 41 take-off and landing operations per hour. The terminal building can accommodate around 6,500 passengers per hour. Congonhas has slot restrictions, operating with a maximum of 30 operations per hour. The airport is known for its distinctive chessboard floor, made up of black granite and white marble squares, which has become part of its visual identity.

The airport was initially planned in 1919 but did not open until April 12, 1936. It was built as a private airport for VASP, an alternative to Campo de Marte, which had operational difficulties. By 1957, Congonhas was the third busiest airport in the world for air cargo. In the 1950s, it served all international flights to and from São Paulo, as its runways could accommodate larger aircraft such as the Lockheed Constellation and Douglas DC-7. However, with the introduction of early jets, long-haul travel shifted to Viracopos Airport, and European airlines stopped using Congonhas.

Until 1985, Congonhas was the main airport of São Paulo, serving domestic and international flights to neighbouring countries. However, due to its short runways, it could not accommodate most long-haul jets, and international flights were gradually moved to other airports. Today, Congonhas remains an important hub for regional and short-distance domestic flights, with its central location and convenient access by public transport making it a favourite among passengers, especially business travellers.

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Galeão International Airport (GIG)

Galeão International Airport, also known as Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport, is one of two airports in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second-largest city. The airport is located 20 kilometres north of downtown Rio de Janeiro and is the main international airport serving the city. It is also one of the busiest airports in Brazil, handling over 13 million passengers per year.

The airport was originally named after the neighbourhood of Galeão, with Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach) located in front of the original passenger terminal. On 5 January 1999, the name was changed to include a tribute to the Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim, whose composition 'Samba do Avião' mentions Galeão Airport.

Galeão Airport has Brazil's longest runway and one of the largest cargo and logistics terminals in Latin America. All major Brazilian carriers have a significant presence at the airport, as do most major North American, Latin American, and European airlines. The airport offers connections to the USA, Europe, and North Africa, in addition to its domestic and regional flights.

The history of Galeão Airport dates back to the early days of aviation in Brazil. On 10 May 1923, a School of Naval Aviation was established near Galeão Beach on Governador Island. With the creation of the Brazilian Air Force Ministry in 1941, the school became the Galeão Air Force Base, and a terminal and hangars were built. During World War II, the aerodrome was used extensively by the Allies. In the early 1970s, the airport was Brazil's major international and domestic hub, and it continued to be the country's primary international airport until the opening of São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport in 1985.

Since late 2004, Galeão Airport has gradually recovered its importance, with the addition of new flights and airlines. The airport has undergone renovations over the years, including the construction of a new passenger terminal in 1977, known today as Passenger Terminal 1.

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Tancredo Neves Airport

The airport code for Tancredo Neves International Airport, which serves the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, is CNF. The airport is named after a prominent Brazilian politician, Tancredo de Almeida Neves, who played a significant role in the country's transition to democracy in the 1980s. The facility is located in the municipality of Confins, which is where the airport gets its IATA code, CNF, from.

Tancredo Neves International Airport is a significant aviation hub in Brazil, serving as a focus city for several Brazilian carriers, including Azul Brazilian Airlines and LATAM Brazil. It is one of the busiest airports in the country, handling over 12 million passengers in 2022, making it the sixth-busiest airport in Brazil in terms of passenger traffic.

The airport is situated approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of the city of Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais. It is strategically positioned to serve not only Belo Horizonte but also a large region of Minas Gerais state. The airport covers a vast area of 14 million square meters (3,500 acres), making it one of the largest airport complexes in Latin America.

CNF airport has a single terminal building that handles both domestic and international flights. The terminal is modern and well-equipped, featuring a range of passenger amenities and services, including restaurants, shops, and lounges. The airport has two runways, with the primary runway measuring 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in length, capable of accommodating large aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380.

Due to its location and capacity, Tancredo Neves International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Belo Horizonte and the Minas Gerais region to the rest of Brazil and the world. It offers direct flights to many destinations within Brazil, as well as international connections to South American countries and the United States. The airport has won several awards for its infrastructure and operational efficiency and continues to be an important gateway to this region of Brazil.

To summarize, Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF) is a modern and efficient aviation hub serving Belo Horizonte and the surrounding region. With its advanced facilities, convenient location, and strong connectivity, it is well-equipped to handle the growing demand for air travel in one of Brazil's most important economic centers.

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Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport

The airport code for Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport is BSB (IATA) and SBBR (ICAO). The airport is named after Juscelino Kubitschek, the 21st President of Brazil from 1956 to 1976. It is located in the administrative region of Lago Sul, in the Federal District, just 5 kilometers from Brasília's South Wing (Asa Sul). The airport serves the capital of Brazil, Brasília, and the surrounding Federal District.

In 2009, Infraero announced a significant investment plan to renovate the airport, in preparation for two major sporting events: the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was held in several Brazilian cities including Brasília, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The renovation project included enlarging the apron and taxiways, renovating and expanding the passenger terminal, and improving parking facilities. These improvements were completed between 2013 and 2015, addressing the airport's saturation levels as it had been operating above 85% of its capacity.

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