Fortaleza Airport

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.

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
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]

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 as of 2022.[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 Brasília, Buenos Aires–Aeroparque, Miami, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Salvador da Bahia, São Paulo–Congonhas, São Paulo–Guarulhos
Seasonal: Belo Horizonte–Confins, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza (begins 3 January 2024),[14] São Luís
LATAM Brasil Belém, Brasília, Macapá, Maceió, Manaus, Miami, Natal, Recife, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Salvador da Bahia, São Luís, São Paulo–Congonhas, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Teresina, Vitória
TAP Air Portugal Lisbon
Voepass Linhas Aéreas Aracati,a Campina Grande,a (begins 2 January 2024) Fernando de Noronha,a Juazeiro do Norte,a Mossoró,a (begins 3 January 2024) Recifea

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

Cargo
AirlinesDestinations
Gol Transportes Aéreos São Paulo–Guarulhos[15]
Sideral Linhas Aéreas São Paulo–Guarulhos

Statistics
Aeroporto Internacional Pinto Martins[16][17]
YearPassengers %Aircraft Movement %Cargo (t) %International Guests
20031,868,699Steady36,486Steady156,366
20042,317,869Increase 24%39,618Increase 9252,895
20052,774,240Increase 20%42,537Increase 7%249,634
20063,282,979Increase 18%46,567Increase 9%268,281
20073,614,439Increase 10%47,226Increase 1%267,881
20083,465,791Decrease 4%47,703Increase 1%242,908
20094,211,651Increase 22%51,861Increase 9%223,899
20105,072,786Increase 20%62,570Increase 21%229,463
20115,649,604Increase 11%65,853Increase 5%232,550
20125,964,308Increase 6%65,391Decrease 1%44,310199,965
20135,952,629Decrease 0%66,814Increase 2%39,389Decrease 11%207,207
20146,501,822Increase 9%68,695Increase 3%50,504Increase 28%222,420
20156,347,543Decrease 2%61,556Decrease 10%47,087Decrease 7%219,126
20165,706,489Decrease 10%53,133Decrease 14%40,165Decrease 15%224,133
20175,935,288Increase 4%52,290Decrease 2%42,756Increase 6%247,958
20186,648,967Increase 12%57,465Increase 10%46,146Increase 8%402,286
20197,211,701Increase 8%59,693Increase 4%48,341Increase 5%557,107
20203,129,551Decrease 57%32,897Decrease 45%32,613Decrease 33%133,873
20213,971,382Increase 27%41,343Increase 26%34,137Increase 5%68,472
20225,748,892Increase 45%54,294Increase 31%40,326Increase 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.[18][19]
  • 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.[20]

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. "GOL 1Q24 Buenos Aires Ezeiza Service Additions". Aeroroutes. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  15. "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.
  16. "Estatísticas". Infraero (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  17. "Airport Movement". Fraport. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  18. "Accident description PP-SRK". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  19. 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.
  20. "ASN Aircraft accident Embraer 120RT Brasilia PT-WKH Fortaleza, CE". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
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