Magalhaes de Almeida Airport

The closure was primarily due to a combination of urban encroachment and economic factors. The city of Codo expanded and grew around the airport, making its operations increasingly unsafe and impractical. The land became more valuable for urban development than for aviation. Concurrently, the improvement of regional road networks, particularly the BR-316 highway, provided a more cost-effective alternative for travel and cargo, reducing demand for regional air services.

The former airport site has been completely repurposed and integrated into the urban landscape of Codo. The land where the runway, taxiways, and terminal once stood is now a residential neighborhood called 'Bairro Aeroporto' (Airport Neighborhood). Streets, such as 'Avenida do Aeroporto', and numerous houses have been built directly over the former operational areas. No original airport infrastructure remains, although the straight alignment of the main street in the neighborhood still hints at the former runway's location.

Named after Antônio de Magalhães de Almeida, a former governor of the state of Maranhão, the airport was a vital transportation hub for Codo and the surrounding region. In its prime, it handled general aviation, air taxi services, and regional commercial flights, likely operated by smaller turboprop aircraft. It provided a crucial link for passengers, mail, and cargo to the state capital, São Luís, and other Brazilian cities, supporting Codo's role as a significant center for agriculture, particularly rice production.

There are zero prospects for reopening the original Magalhães de Almeida Airport, as the site is fully developed. However, there are active plans by the state government of Maranhão to build a new airport for Codo in a different, more suitable location outside the city's urban core. This project is part of the State's Airway Plan (PAEM) to boost regional aviation and support economic growth. As of early 2024, the project for the new airport was reportedly in the environmental licensing stage, though a definitive timeline for construction has not been established.