Pinto Martins International Airport
Encyclopedia
Pinto Martins International Airport is the 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 and Rio de Janeiro
.
In 2010, the airport was ranked 6th in terms of cargo handled in Brazil, placing it amongst the busiest airports in the country. It is operated by Infraero
.
Some of its facilities are shared with the Fortaleza Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force
.
During World War II, the airport was an important allied base supporting the Southern Atlantic operations.
On May 13, 1952 the original name, Cocorote Airport, was changed to its present name. In 1966 a passenger terminal and apron were built. Those facilities are presently used by general aviation operations.
Since January 7, 1974 the airport is operated by Infraero and in 1997 it was upgraded to international category.
In February 1998 a brand-new passenger terminal was opened.
a. Airline operating regular charter flights.
which will be held in Brazil, Fortaleza being one of the venue cities. The investiment will be distributed in the renovation and enlargement of passenger terminal, apron, and parking with completion due in November 2013.
Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population close to 2.5 million , Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of and one of the highest demographic densities in the country...
, 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 and Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
.
In 2010, the airport was ranked 6th in terms of cargo handled in Brazil, placing it amongst the busiest airports in the country. It is operated by Infraero
Infraero
Empresa Brasileira de Infraestrutura Aeroportuária, Infraero in short, is a Brazilian government corporation created in 1972 and responsible for operating the main Brazilian commercial airports. In 2009, Infraero's airports carried 128,135,616 passengers and 1,114,754 tons of cargo and operated...
.
Some of its facilities are shared with the Fortaleza Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
.
History
The airport has its origins on a runway built in the 1930s and which was used by the Ceará Flying School until 2000.During World War II, the airport was an important allied base supporting the Southern Atlantic operations.
On May 13, 1952 the original name, Cocorote Airport, was changed to its present name. In 1966 a passenger terminal and apron were built. Those facilities are presently used by general aviation operations.
Since January 7, 1974 the airport is operated by Infraero and in 1997 it was upgraded to international category.
In February 1998 a brand-new passenger terminal was opened.
Airlines and destinations
a. Airline operating regular charter flights.
Accidents and incidents
- June 8, 1982: a VASPVASPViação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
Boeing 727–212Boeing 727The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
registration PP-SRK operating flight 168VASP Flight 168VASP Flight 168, a Boeing 727-212A, serial number 21347, registered PP-SRK, was a scheduled passenger flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Fortaleza on June 8, 1982, which crashed into terrain while descending into Fortaleza, killing all 137 people on board....
from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Fortaleza collided with a mountain while on approach to Fortaleza. The captain descended below a minimum descent altitude. All 137 passengers and crew died.
Future developments
On August 31, 2009, Infraero unveiled a BRL525 million (USD276.6 million; EUR193.8 million) investiment plan to up-grade Pinto Martins International Airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup2014 FIFA World Cup
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international association football tournament that will take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014....
which will be held in Brazil, Fortaleza being one of the venue cities. The investiment will be distributed in the renovation and enlargement of passenger terminal, apron, and parking with completion due in November 2013.
See also
- List of the busiest airports in Brazil
- Fortaleza Air Force Base