José Sérgio Maia Airport

The primary reasons for the closure were economic and operational. The airport suffered from a lack of consistent demand, making it economically unviable to maintain. Its infrastructure, including the runway and support facilities, had significantly deteriorated over time, posing safety risks. The closure was formally requested by its operator, the Government of the State of Paraíba, which deemed the high costs of maintenance and necessary upgrades unjustified for the low volume of general aviation traffic it served.

The site is no longer an airport. Following its closure, the land was donated by the state government to the municipality of Catolé da Rocha. The area is being redeveloped into an industrial park named 'Distrito Industrial Américo Maia'. Satellite imagery shows the old runway is cracked, overgrown with vegetation, and unusable for aviation. New streets and lot divisions for industrial facilities have been laid out across the former airport grounds.

Inaugurated in the 1980s and named after a local politician, José Sérgio Maia (a former mayor and state deputy), the airport (former ICAO: SNJS) was a significant piece of regional infrastructure. It primarily served general aviation, including private aircraft, air taxis, and official government flights. While it never hosted regular commercial passenger services from major airlines, it was vital for connecting the Sertão region of Paraíba with larger urban centers. It facilitated business travel, political transport, and provided a crucial landing strip for medical emergencies and air ambulance services.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the José Sérgio Maia Airport. Its closure is considered permanent by aviation authorities, and the physical land has been officially repurposed for industrial development. Any future air access for the Catolé da Rocha region would require the construction of an entirely new airport at a different location.