Porto Alegre–Salgado Filho International Airport in Brazil is gearing up to resume operations in October following a devastating closure due to severe flood damage. The airport, which shut down in May after the region was hit by deadly storms, is set to re-open on October 21st, 2024. The Brazilian Government has announced that operations will commence with a limit of 128 flights per day, gradually ramping up to full capacity by December 21st.
The closure of Porto Alegre’s airport had a significant impact on both domestic and international routes. The airport’s terminal and runway suffered extensive damage during the catastrophic flooding that swept through the Rio Grande do Sul region, claiming the lives of over 180 people. The runway had only recently undergone an extension in 2022 to accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 before being rendered inoperable.
During the airport’s closure, a few flights were able to operate from the nearby Canoas Air Force Base, albeit on a limited scale due to infrastructure constraints. The disruption also affected local transportation networks, with bus services and the metro system in Porto Alegre being temporarily suspended. However, these services have since resumed to facilitate the movement of passengers in the region.
In 2023, Porto Alegre–Salgado Filho International Airport saw a significant increase in passenger traffic, processing 7.48 million travelers compared to the pandemic-induced low of 3.48 million in 2020. Despite this rebound, the airport still fell short of its peak traffic of 8.48 million passengers in 2014. With the extended closure in 2024, it is unlikely that the airport will surpass previous passenger numbers this year.
The airport serves as a vital hub for domestic travel within Brazil, connecting to major cities across the country. Additionally, Porto Alegre’s international routes were also impacted by the closure, affecting destinations such as Buenos Aires, Lima, Lisbon, Montevideo, Panama City, and Santiago de Chile. Airlines operating these routes, including LATAM Airlines, Azul Linhas Aéreas, and Copa Airlines, faced significant challenges during the airport’s shutdown.
LATAM Airlines reported a $25 million hit to its operating income in the second quarter of 2024 due to the closure of Porto Alegre’s airport. The carrier has expressed its intention to resume services once operations resume, with ticket sales already underway. While some airlines are yet to confirm their plans, it is expected that most carriers will resume their previous flight schedules to restore connectivity to the region.
For Azul Linhas Aéreas, the reopening of Porto Alegre’s airport is particularly significant, as Rio Grande do Sul represented around 10% of its total operations. The airline’s Head of Planning, Andre Mercadante, noted that they will be offering more than 57,000 seats per week, representing 78% of their previous operations in the region. This news comes as a relief for both the airline and local travelers who rely on the airport for their journeys.
In conclusion, the upcoming reopening of Porto Alegre–Salgado Filho International Airport marks a significant milestone in the region’s recovery from the devastating floods that forced its closure. As operations resume and airlines gradually restore services, the airport will once again serve as a crucial gateway for both domestic and international travel, reestablishing vital connections for passengers and airlines alike.