Old Rondonópolis Airport

The primary reason for closure was its replacement by a new, modern facility. The old airport suffered from several critical limitations:
1. **Urban Encroachment:** Located within the city's urban area, it was completely surrounded by residential and commercial neighborhoods. This posed significant safety risks, created noise pollution, and made any future expansion of the runway or facilities impossible.
2. **Inadequate Infrastructure:** The runway was too short (approximately 1,850 meters) and not built to handle the weight of larger, modern commercial jets like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. The passenger terminal was small and outdated, unable to cope with the growing demand driven by Rondonópolis's status as a major agribusiness hub.
3. **Economic Growth:** The new airport was built to support the region's economic development, offering a longer and more robust runway (2,600 meters), modern navigation aids (including an Instrument Landing System - ILS), and a larger terminal, enabling it to receive larger aircraft and more flights.

The site of the former airport is undergoing a major urban redevelopment project. After its closure, the land was transferred from the federal government to the municipality of Rondonópolis. The city's plan includes the creation of a large public park, known as 'Parque do Aeroporto,' along with a new civic center that will house municipal government buildings, a convention center, and areas for commercial and residential development. The old runway and airport structures are being demolished to make way for this new urban space.

For decades, the Old Rondonópolis Airport (SWRD) was the primary air gateway for the city and the surrounding agricultural region of southeastern Mato Grosso. It was vital for connecting business travelers, politicians, and residents to major Brazilian centers like Cuiabá, Brasília, and São Paulo. Operations primarily consisted of regional flights operated by smaller turboprop aircraft, such as the ATR 42 and ATR 72, from airlines like Passaredo (now VoePass) and Azul Linhas Aéreas. It also served as a base for general aviation, including air taxis and private aircraft essential for the agribusiness sector.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airport. Its closure is permanent, and the land has been irrevocably repurposed for urban development. The city's aviation needs are now fully and more effectively served by the new Maestro Marinho Franco Airport.