New São Paulo International Airport

In Dec-2013 Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff said a privately operated third international airport serving São Paulo would be constructed at Caieiras, 40km north of the city. The airport would feature two 3500m runways, a 340,000sqm passenger terminal and a 70,000sqm cargo terminal. It is reportedly expected to cost BRL5.3 billion (USD2.2 billion). Mr Rousseff stated, "We will resolve the issue of having three airports in São Paulo. It will take place soon but I do not know the exact date." The airport is reportedly projected to feature a 340,000sqm passenger terminal with capacity for 48 million passengers p/a, as well as 70,000sqm cargo terminal and two 3500m runways. CCR SA stated it is in negotiations to construct the new airport, on a 12.8 million sqm land plot between Cajamar and Caieiras. This project is not to be confused with two other private airports planned for the Sao Paulo area, to service business jets and general aviation.

Jan-2024. It will not be for another 8-10 years that this airport opens. Negotiations are still underway on land purchase. 

Oct-2015. CCR SA reported it is in negotiations for approximately 12.8 million sqm of land between Cajamar and Caieiras to construct New São Paulo International Airport.

Jan-2014. Campinas Viracopos Airport's concessionaire Aeroportos Brasil Viracopos CEO Luiz Alberto Küster expressed concern over the Government's plan to construct a new private airport in São Paulo, calling it a "very serious issue to be discussed" as the concessionaire was not made aware of such an intention before it bid in Campinas' privatisation two years ago. Mr Alberto Küster said the concessionaire intends to discuss the matter with the Government at an unspecified time. Campinas is located 100km north of São Paulo, while the plans for the new facility had previously suggested Caieiras as a possible location, which is located 35km north of Brazil's biggest city.

Mar-2014. The New São Paulo International Airport, to be located 35km from the city in the suburb of Careiras, could be complete by 2020, according to construction firms Camargo Corrêa and Andrade Gutierrez. The site of the BRL9 billion (USD3.8 billion) project is currently home to a eucalyptus plantation, on which Camargo Corrêa and Andrade Gutierrez have renewed purchase options each year since 2011. The airport is expected to feature two 3500m runways and have capacity for up to 50 million passengers p/a once the final phase of construction is complete. The airport would reportedly avoid the access issues encountered at São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport by being located 4km from Careiras Station, which is a 45 minute rail journey from São Paulo. Andrade Gutierrez new business director José Henrique Polido noted the new the airport is not intended to compete with Guaraulhos, but rather complement it, as both Guarulhos and Campinas Viracopos airports are expected to see capacity issues by the time the new facility is complete. Approval for the new airport is still pending however, and may face legal challenges form the concessionaires at Campinas and Guarulhos as a new facility in the region was not envisioned at the time of bidding.

May-2014. Civil Aviation Minister Moreira Franco confirmed the Government will allow the construction of a third airport in greater São Paulo, as the city "needs a third airport to relieve Congonhas and Guarulhos due to high demand". The facility is expected to be constructed in Caieiras, a municipality in São Paulo State located 40km north of São Paulo's city centre. The airport's construction would require legislative changes to allow for it to be privately constructed, though Mr Franco assured such legislation will be introduced "to ensure the construction of the airport in Caieiras." Any new airport's construction is likely to face stiff resistance from concessionaires at the privatised Guarulhos and Campinasairports, which is 70km north of the proposed site of the third facility, as the prospect was not raised during the bidding process.

Jun-2014. The Civil Aviation Minister Moreira Franco said the decision to allow construction of a third major airport in São Paulo has already been taken and that a change to regulations which prevent private airports from handling commercial services is expected soon. Mr Franco said even though the decision is being made now, it would be "slow process" and it will likely take ten years or more to construct and bring the facility online. Mr Franco added that the need for a third airport is dictated by ten-year demand projections and rebuffed concerns from the operators of recently privatised competing facilities such as São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport and Rio de Janeiro's Galeão International Airport, saying competition is a desired outcome.

Jul-2014. Civil Aviation Minister Moreira Franco reaffirmed the forthcoming third airport for São Paulo will be 100% privately built and operated, while regulator ANAC president Marcelo Gauranys said there is no update on progress with planning as the entire venture still depends on legislative changes to allow private airports to operate commercially. The airport could be complete around 2020.

Aug-2014. Civil Aviation Minister Moreira Franco reiterated the need for a third airport in São Paulo, stating, "São Paulo is a major distribution centre in the country and will need more supply". Mr Franco ruled out potential conflict with concessionaires at Campinas and São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, as "we need new airports." Mr Franco said there is still no date on when construction of the new airport would begin and that the legislative process is continuing in order to allow a private airport to operate commercially.

Infraero president Gustavo do Vale said the construction of a third airport in São Paulo will be necessary to meet increased demand over the next 15 years, and that its private construction will not impact state-owned Infraero's revenue despite the potential loss of passengers at other São Paulo area airports where it holds stakes. Mr do Vale noted the necessity for executive aviation as well, as both São Paulo Congonhas Airport and the small Campos do Marte Airport are already at capacity in that regard. Plans for a privately-constructed and operated third São Paulo airport have been publicly discussed since Dec-2013 and suggest the airport would be located 35km from the city centre in Caieras, though its construction first requires changes to current legislation which prevents private airports from handling commercial trafficprogramme.

Dec-2014. The New São Paulo International Airport was approved by Brazil's Chamber of Deputies (lower house). The facility will be privately constructed in the suburb of Caieiras, north of the city centre, but faces opposition from concessionaires at the recently privatised Guarulhos Airport and Campinas Viracopos Airport as a new airport for the city was not mentioned prior to the awards.