Brazil Backs Plan to Restart International Flights at São Paulo’s Congonhas

Overview

• A favorable technical opinion from the National Civil Aviation Secretariat advances Aena’s request to internationalize Congonhas but does not grant final authorization.
• The next steps require approvals from Polícia Federal, Receita Federal, Anvisa and Vigiagro, followed by a formal process at ANAC for international airport designation.
• Aena plans a phased rollout starting with executive aviation, with regular commercial routes targeted for July 2028 tied to delivery of a new passenger terminal.
• Investments of about R$ 2 billion at Congonhas include a ~105,000 m² terminal, expansion of boarding bridges from 12 to 19, a new apron, additional hangars and operational upgrades.
• International routes would focus on short and medium distances within South America due to the airport’s 1,940‑meter runway, with regular overseas service absent since the 1980s.