Aeroclube da Paraíba Airport

The closure was primarily driven by intense urban expansion and real estate pressure. The airport was located in the Bessa neighborhood, which experienced rapid growth from the 1980s onwards. As the city grew around the airfield, several factors made its operation untenable:
1. **Real Estate Value**: The land became extremely valuable for commercial and residential development.
2. **Safety Concerns**: The proximity of new tall buildings, including the nearby Manaíra Shopping mall, created significant obstacles and hazards for aircraft on approach and takeoff.
3. **Noise Complaints**: The increasing population density led to a rise in noise complaints from local residents.
4. **Legal Disputes**: There were prolonged legal battles involving the aeroclub, developers, and municipal authorities over the ownership and use of the land, which ultimately favored redevelopment.

The airport no longer exists. The site has been completely and irreversibly redeveloped into a dense urban area. The former runway and airport grounds are now occupied by a large Carrefour hypermarket, a Sam's Club, apartment complexes, and various other commercial establishments. The main thoroughfare, Avenida Governador Argemiro de Figueiredo, now runs through the area where the airport once stood. There are no physical traces of the former airfield remaining.

The Aeroclube da Paraíba airport, which historically used the ICAO code SNJB, was of great importance to the region.

- **First Airport**: Founded in 1941, it was the first airport in the city of João Pessoa and the state of Paraíba. For years, it was the sole air link for the state capital.
- **Commercial Operations**: Before the construction of the current Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport (SBJP/JPA) in 1957, the Aeroclube field handled the region's commercial flights from pioneering airlines like Panair do Brasil, Cruzeiro do Sul, and REAL Aerovias.
- **General Aviation Hub**: After commercial traffic moved to the new airport, it became the heart of general aviation in Paraíba. Its primary functions were as a flight school (forming hundreds of private and commercial pilots), a base for recreational flying, air taxi services, skydiving, and small aircraft maintenance. It was a vital institution for fostering aviation culture in the state.

There are zero prospects for reopening the airport at its original location due to the complete urban development of the site. However, the 'Aeroclube da Paraíba' as an organization continues to exist. After years of inactivity, the aeroclube has been working to establish a new airfield. They have acquired land in the municipality of Conde, part of the João Pessoa metropolitan area, to build a new private aerodrome. This project, known as 'Aeródromo de Conde' (ICAO: SIFX), is intended to be the new home for the aeroclube and general aviation activities in the region, though it has faced various bureaucratic and financial delays.