Fortaleza – Pinto Martins International Airport

Fortaleza–Pinto Martins International Airport

Aeroporto Internacional de Fortaleza–Pinto Martins
Summary
Airport typePublic & Military
Operator
ServesFortaleza
Hub forLATAM Brasil
Focus city forGol Transportes Aéreos
Time zoneBRT (UTC−03:00)
Elevation AMSL25 m / 83 ft
Coordinates03°46′33″S 038°31′56″W / 3.77583°S 38.53222°W / -3.77583; -38.53222
Websitewww.fortaleza-airport.com.br/en
Map
FOR is located in Brazil
FOR
FOR
Location in Brazil
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
13/31 2,755 9,039 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Passengers5,748,892 Increase 45%
Aircraft Operations54,294 Increase 31%
Metric tonnes of cargo40,326 Increase 18%
Statistics: Fraport[1]
Sources: Airport Website,[2] ANAC,[3] DECEA[4]

Fortaleza–Pinto Martins International Airport (IATA: FOR, ICAO: SBFZ) is the international airport serving Fortaleza, Brazil. It is named after Euclides Pinto Martins (1892–1924), a Ceará-born aviator who in 1922 was one of the pioneers of the air link between New York City and Rio de Janeiro.

The airport is operated by Fraport Brasil.

Some facilities are shared with Fortaleza Air Force Base.

History

The airport had its origins on a runway built in the 1930s and used by Ceará Flying School until 2000.

During World War II, the airport was an important Allied base supporting South Atlantic operations.

On May 13, 1952, the original name, Cocorote Airport, was changed to its present name paying tribute to Ceará-born aviator Euclides Pinto Martins.[5]

On July 21, 1953, within a law prescribing rules for the naming of airports, the name of the facility was officially and exceptionally maintained as Pinto Martins Airport.[6]

In 1966, a passenger terminal and apron were built. On the north area, this former passenger terminal, now serves as a General Aviation Terminal for private aircraft, where general aviation, executive, and air taxi operations occur.

In 1997, the airport was upgraded to the status of international airport (Portaria 393 GM5, of June 9, 1997).

From January 7, 1974, to December 31, 2017, the facility was operated by Infraero. Through a partnership between Infraero, the federal government, and the state government, a new 35,000 m² passenger terminal was built in the southern area. It was opened in February 1998.

On August 31, 2009, Infraero unveiled a BRL 525 million (US$276.6 million, EUR 193.8 million) investment plan to upgrade the airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Brazil, Fortaleza being one of the venue cities. The investment focused in the renovation and enlargement of the passenger terminal, apron, and parking with completion due in November 2013.[7]

Responding to critiques to the situation of its airports, on May 18, 2011, Infraero released a list evaluating some of its most important airports according to its saturation levels. According to the list, Fortaleza was considered to be requiring attention, operating between 70% and 85% of its capacity.[8]

On March 16, 2017, the concession of the airport was auctioned to the consortium Fraport AG of Frankfurt, Germany, for R$425 million for use for 30 years. Among the improvements established in the contract signed on July 28, 2017, was to renew and complete the investments of Infraero related to the passenger terminal, and the lengthening of the runway. Following the auction, between June 2017 to 2018 a transition period took place in which Fraport and Infraero managed the airport. Since January 2, 2018, Fraport is the sole administrator.[9]

On April 27, 2018, the construction of the two-story terminal extension started as well as expansion of the terminal and tracks, a remodeled taxi and traffic area, and a redesigned airport road system with a viaduct.[10] On June 25, 2019, a 60-position check-in area was opened,[11] and finally on April 14, 2020, the renovation was completed. Presently, the airport can handle 4 million passengers per year, and it has 14 aircraft parking positions.

Fraport launched the idea of an airport real estate project to call attention to investments in huge warehouses, shopping centers, and hotels, but nothing has been constructed until 2024.[12]

The present facility covers 531 hectares (1,312 acres) of land with one runway.[13]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Air FranceParis–Charles de Gaulle
Azul Brazilian Airlines Belém, Belo Horizonte–Confins, Campina Grande, Campinas, Juazeiro do Norte, Manaus, Recife, São Paulo–Congonhas, Teresina
Seasonal: Goiânia, Porto Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Uberlândia
Azul Conecta Aracati, Crateús, Iguatu, Jericoacoara, São Benedito, Sobral
Gol Transportes Aéreos Belo Horizonte–Confins, Brasília, Buenos Aires–Aeroparque, Manaus, Miami, Recife, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Salvador da Bahia, São Paulo–Congonhas, São Paulo–Guarulhos
Seasonal: Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, São Luís
LATAM Brasil Belém, Brasília, Manaus, Miami, Natal, Recife, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Salvador da Bahia, São Luís, São Paulo–Congonhas, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Teresina
TAP Air Portugal Lisbon
Voepass Linhas Aéreasa Aracati (ends 19 October 2024), Campina Grande (ends 24 October 2024), Fernando de Noronha (ends 26 October 2024), Juazeiro do Norte (ends 26 October 2024), Mossoró (ends 25 October 2024), Recife (ends 26 October 2024)

Note:
a: Flights operated with Voepass equipment on behalf of LATAM Brasil.

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Gol Transportes Aéreos São Paulo–Guarulhos[14]
Sideral Linhas Aéreas São Paulo–Guarulhos

Statistics

Aeroporto Internacional Pinto Martins[15][16]
Year Passengers Aircraft Cargo (t)
2003 1,868,699 36,486
2004 2,317,869 Increase 24% 39,618 Increase 9%
2005 2,774,240 Increase 20% 42,537 Increase 7%
2006 3,282,979 Increase 18% 46,567 Increase 9%
2007 3,614,439 Increase 10% 47,226 Increase 1%
2008 3,465,791 Decrease 4% 47,703 Increase 1%
2009 4,211,651 Increase 22% 51,861 Increase 9%
2010 5,072,786 Increase 20% 62,570 Increase 21%
2011 5,649,604 Increase 11% 65,853 Increase 5%
2012 5,964,308 Increase 6% 65,391 Decrease 1% 44,310
2013 5,952,629 Steady 66,814 Increase 2% 39,389 Decrease 11%
2014 6,501,822 Increase 9% 68,695 Increase 3% 50,504 Increase 28%
2015 6,347,543 Decrease 2% 61,556 Decrease 10% 47,087 Decrease 7%
2016 5,706,489 Decrease 10% 53,133 Decrease 14% 40,165 Decrease 15%
2017 5,935,288 Increase 4% 52,290 Decrease 2% 42,756 Increase 6%
2018 6,648,967 Increase 12% 57,465 Increase 10% 46,146 Increase 8%
2019 7,211,701 Increase 8% 59,693 Increase 4% 48,341 Increase 5%
2020 3,129,551 Decrease 57% 32,897 Decrease 45% 32,613 Decrease 33%
2021 3,971,382 Increase 27% 41,343 Increase 26% 34,137 Increase 5%
2022 5,748,892 Increase 45% 54,294 Increase 31% 40,326 Increase 18%

Accidents and incidents

  • June 8, 1982: a VASP Boeing 727-212 registration PP-SRK operating flight 168 from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Fortaleza collided with a mountain during approach procedures 25 km (16 mi; 13 nmi) south to airport. Aircraft descended too low during approach. All 137 passengers and crew died.[17][18]
  • October 21, 1998: a Capital Táxi Aéreo Embraer EMB 120 Brasília crashed into a house 2 km (1.2 mi; 1.1 nmi) short of the runway during approach. All three people on board and one person on the ground died.[19]

Access

The airport is located 6 km (4 mi) south of downtown Fortaleza.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Movimentação aeroportuária". Fraport (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Fortaleza Airport". Fraport. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "Aeródromos". ANAC (in Portuguese). August 22, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Pinto Martins (SBFZ)". DECEA (in Portuguese). Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Lei No 1.602, de 13 de maio de 1952". Palácio do Planalto (in Portuguese). May 13, 1952. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  6. ^ "Lei no 1.909, de 21 de julho de 1953". Presidência da República (in Portuguese). July 21, 1953. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  7. ^ Rittner, Daniel; Braga, Paulo Victor (August 31, 2009). "Infraero vai gastar R$ 5 bi em reforma de aeroportos". Valor Econômico (in Portuguese). pp. A4.
  8. ^ "Governo muda critério de avaliação e 'melhora' desempenho de aeroportos" (in Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. May 19, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  9. ^ "Fraport recebe as chaves do Aeroporto de Fortaleza". January 2, 2018.
  10. ^ "Começa movimentação de máquinas para expansão do Aeroporto de Fortaleza". April 18, 2018.
  11. ^ "Novo check-in é liberado" (in Portuguese). diario do nordeste. June 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "Real Estate" (PDF). Fraport Brazil. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  13. ^ "Fortaleza Airport Facts and Figures". aeroportofortaleza.net. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "Conheça a rede aérea da Gol para o Mercado Livre; primeiro voo liga Guarulhos a Fortaleza". Aeroin (in Portuguese). August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  15. ^ "Estatísticas". Infraero (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "Airport Movement". Fraport. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  17. ^ "Accident description PP-SRK". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  18. ^ Silva, Germano da; Ari César, Carlos (2008). "VASP 168". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 [The witch's trail: history of Brazilian commercial aviation in the 20th century through its accidents 1928–1996] (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 318–326. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
  19. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Embraer 120RT Brasilia PT-WKH Fortaleza, CE". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved July 8, 2013.

External links

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