Less than five months after the end of the flood that hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024, Fraport Brasil completed phase 2 of the rehabilitation works at Porto Alegre airport. With the completion of the phase, landing and takeoff operations at the airport will resume, partially, starting next Monday, October 21. The second phase of works and interventions to rehabilitate the airport included cleaning and inspection of the concrete slabs, the base of the runway, followed by milling, removal of debris and replacement of the asphalt layers in a 1.400m stretch of the PPD (landing and takeoff runway), taxiways D, M4, F and TL. In addition, the BHS (Baggage Handling System) in the international area, the domestic baggage claim area, escalators, elevators, X-ray equipment and the entire public area on the 1st floor were restored. Horizontal signage and beacon lights were redone and several power substations were partially restored.
There were more than 1.200 people working 24 hours a day to restore the airfield, meeting all aviation safety standards within the schedule presented and agreed with the Federal Government.
Between October 7 and 11, the GEIV aircraft, from the FAB (Brazilian Air Force), carried out flights to check the equipment that assists aircraft in approach, landing and takeoff procedures. This activity was part of the approval process for the runway rehabilitation works.
Operation from 21/10
Operations on a reduced runway (1.730m) will be gradual, with a total capacity to receive up to 128 domestic flights daily, approximately 12 operations per hour, between 8am and 22pm. There will be six parking positions connected to the boarding bridges and one remote position. On October 21, 10 movements between landings and takeoffs are confirmed, increasing to 71 on November 122. During this period, airlines Azul, Gol and Latam confirmed the resumption of their flights and are now selling tickets.
To date, the return of routes to the cities of Belo Horizonte/MG, Brasília/DF, Campinas/SP, Guarulhos/SP, Rio de Janeiro/RJ and São Paulo/SP has been announced. Flights to Curitiba/PR, Pelotas/RS, Santa Maria/RS, Santo Ângelo/RS and Uruguaiana/RS are expected to resume in November. The runway in its entirety should be ready by 16/12, when international flights are also scheduled to resume. The route to Panama City (Copa Airlines) will return in December/2024 and Buenos Aires (Aerolineas Argentinas), Lima (Latam) and Santiago (Latam) in January 2025. Tickets for these destinations are already being sold by the airlines.
Check-in and baggage drop-off will continue to take place at the international check-in area on the 2nd floor. The closest access will be through gate 5. engers are advised to follow the airline's guidelines regarding check-in and boarding times. engers are advised to arrive 2 hours before their flight. Boarding will once again take place at the domestic boarding area on the 3rd floor.
Gates 113 to 124 will be used for this reopening. engers will disembark via the domestic area. When descending via the stairs or elevator, they must collect their luggage and proceed to the exit. All three doors on the first floor will be in operation. To take a taxi, use door 1. For ride-hailing cars and rental vans, the closest exit is door 3.
The four car parks will be open, as well as car rental and tourism services. More than 70% of the airport's commercial operations will be open as of October 21st. New concessionaires will be open as of the day of resumption. In the boarding hall, there will be a Fini kiosk and a W/ VIP lounge. Cameron, which previously operated in the public area of floor 10, is now located on floor 1, near the Food Court. The Jolimont winery will open in front of the domestic arrivals area. In the following weeks, new commercial operations will open, expanding the range of gastronomy and shopping options for engers.
Read also
