Porto Alegre’s Airport to Resume Operations Post-Devastating Floods

Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre will resume operations in October after severe floods in May halted flights. The airport, heavily damaged by floods in Rio Grande do Sul, will initially handle 128 daily flights and expects full capacity by mid-December, significantly boosting the local economy.

The Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is set to resume operations in October after unprecedented flooding in May led to the suspension of flights. Located in the country's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, the airport was submerged under heavy rains, resulting in over 180 fatalities.

In the interim, flights were diverted to the nearby Canoas Air Force Base, though its infrastructure limitations allowed only reduced-capacity operations. The Brazilian government has announced that commercial flights will resume on October 21, with 128 daily flights initially, and airlines can start ticket sales immediately.

The airport aims to be fully operational by December 16, handling more than 3,000 flights per month, which will aid in economic recovery, according to Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho. Azul, a leading airline in Brazil, confirmed it will operate approximately 60 flights per day, resuming its pre-flood capacity. Rival LATAM Airlines reported a $25 million financial impact due to the floods.