Fortaleza Airport

The airport had its origins on a runway built in the 1930s and which was used by Ceará Flying School until 2000.

During World War II, the airport was an important allied base supporting Southern 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. In 1966 a passenger terminal and apron were built. This former passenger terminal, on the north area, now serves as a General Aviation Terminal for private aircraft, where general aviation, executive and air taxi operations take place.

From January 7, 1974 to December 31, 2017 the facility was operated by Infraero and in 1997 it was upgraded to international category (Portaria 393 GM5, of June 9, 1997). Through a partnership between Infraero, federal government and state government, a 35,000 m² passenger terminal was built in the southern area, and dedicated in February 1998. It has a capacity for 3.8 million passengers per year, 14 aircraft parking positions and with automation systems.

It was auctioned on March 16, 2017 to the consortium Fraport AG of Frankfurt, Germany for R$425 million for use for 30 years. Among the established in the contract is the reform of the current terminal and termination of the attached work, abandoned by Infraero, as well as increase of the only runway. From June 2017 to 2018 both companies run the entire airport, as of 2018, it manages the airport entirely in its operations. The contract signed on July 28, 2017 says to renew and complete the investments of Infraero for the passenger terminal and the lengthening of the single runway. On January 2, 2018, the airport started to be administrated by Fraport.[5]

In February 1998 a new passenger terminal was opened in south area. On August 31, 2009, Infraero unveiled a BRL 525 million (US$276.6 million, EUR 193.8 million) investment plan to upgrade the International 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 was distributed in the renovation and enlargement of passenger terminal, apron, and parking with completion due in November 2013, however after abandoned. Just a removable Tent was made.[6]

In November 2018, it was reported the structure construction of terminal extension was 37% complete.[7] In April 2019, the expansion construction was 60% completed after one year of work.

The company provided expansion of terminal and tracks, remodeled taxi and traffic area, and redesigned the airport road system, with a Viaduct,[8] received automatic baggage management, security control and new aircraft boarding bridges. On April 27, 2018 started the beginning of the construction of the two-story terminal extension with completion expected to April 14, 2020. More than R$ 1 billion was invested till 2021.[9] On June 25, 2019 a 60 clerk Check-in area was opened, with 40 domestic to Azul, Gol, Latam and 20 international to Air France, KLM and Tap, in which 78% of works were concluded.[10] On 15 October 2019, 92% was concluded.[11]

• 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 25 km (16 mi) south to airport. Aircraft descended too low during approach. All 137 passengers and crew died.[13][14]
• October 21, 1998: A Capital Taxi Aereo Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia registration PT-WKH crashed on approach to Fortaleza Airport. The aircraft's thrust reversers were positioned below the idle position due to pilot error, causing a loss of control. Both crew members and the sole passenger died, as well as one person inside a house. Seven other people on the ground were injured.[15]

The airport is located 6 km (4 mi) south of downtown Fortaleza.

• List of airports in Brazil
• Fortaleza Air Force Base

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aeroporto Internacional Pinto Martins.

• Airport information for SBFZ at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.Source: DAFIF.
• Airport information for SBFZ at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
• Current weather for SBFZ at NOAA/NWS
• Accident history for FOR at Aviation Safety Network