Avelino Vieira Airport

The primary reason for the closure was economic. The municipal government of Arapoti (Prefeitura de Arapoti), which operated the airport, was unable to afford the necessary investments and ongoing maintenance costs required to meet the safety and infrastructure standards mandated by ANAC. Rather than face potential fines or liabilities, the municipality formally requested its deregistration.

The airport infrastructure is no longer used for aviation. The runway is visibly marked with large white 'X's on its thresholds, the standard international marking for a permanently closed runway. The site has been repurposed for community and recreational use. A significant portion of the apron and taxiway area has been converted into a go-kart track, known as the 'Kartódromo de Arapoti'. The remaining area is occasionally used for other events like car shows, festivals, and driver training.

Named in honor of Avelino Vieira, a local pioneer and influential figure, the airport was a key asset for the economic development of Arapoti and the surrounding region. When active, it primarily handled general aviation traffic. Its operations included:
- **Executive Aviation:** Serving local businesses, particularly executives and clients of the large paper and pulp companies in the area.
- **Air Taxis:** Providing on-demand passenger and cargo transport.
- **Agricultural Aviation:** Supporting the region's significant agribusiness sector with crop dusting and other aerial services.
- **Medical and Emergency Flights:** Acting as a vital link for aeromedical evacuations and emergency response.
It did not handle regular commercial flights from major airlines but was crucial for connecting the municipality to larger centers.

There are currently no known official plans or active projects to reopen Avelino Vieira Airport. The financial obstacles that led to its closure remain a significant barrier. Re-establishing the airport would require substantial investment to rebuild infrastructure to modern standards and recertify it with ANAC. Given the repurposing of the site for recreational activities, a reopening is considered highly unlikely in the foreseeable future.