Pauini Airport

The airport was closed because it was replaced by a new, modern, and safer facility. The old airstrip (BR-1150) was unpaved (dirt/grass), had a short runway, and was located very close to the urban center, which limited the size of aircraft that could operate and posed significant safety risks. The government of the state of Amazonas invested in constructing the new Pauini Airport (SWUI) with a paved runway and improved infrastructure to enhance the region's connectivity and safety.

The site of the former airport is now abandoned. Satellite imagery shows a clearly visible but unmaintained and overgrown dirt runway. The land is not used for any official purpose and is slowly being reclaimed by vegetation. The adjacent road is still named 'Avenida do Aeroporto' (Airport Avenue), serving as a reminder of the site's previous function. There is no aviation infrastructure remaining.

For decades, this unpaved airstrip was the primary air link for the remote and isolated municipality of Pauini in the Amazon rainforest. It served as a critical lifeline, handling general aviation flights with small, rugged aircraft. Its operations were essential for transporting passengers, medical emergencies (medevac), mail, and vital supplies like food and medicine, connecting the community to larger cities such as Manaus and Rio Branco. The airport's existence was fundamental to the town's survival and development before modern infrastructure was built.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening this old airport. It has been permanently replaced by the fully operational and superior Pauini Airport (SWUI), which now handles all air traffic for the municipality. The old site is considered obsolete and unsuitable for modern aviation standards.