Guararapes Airport

The closure was a regulatory action due to safety and infrastructure issues. The airport, managed by the local municipality of Guararapes, failed to comply with the minimum operational and safety requirements mandated by ANAC. The municipality did not carry out the necessary investments and upgrades to the runway, fencing, and other facilities, leading to the revocation of its operational permit.

The airport site is currently abandoned and in a state of dereliction. Satellite imagery and local reports confirm that the runway, taxiways, and terminal building are still physically present but are not maintained. The area is overgrown with vegetation, and the infrastructure has deteriorated due to neglect and lack of use. It is not being used for any official purpose and is closed to all air traffic.

Officially known as Aeroporto Estadual de Guararapes / Mário de Ribeiro (ICAO: SDGP), the airport was a significant asset for general aviation in the northwest region of São Paulo state. Its primary operations included serving private aircraft, air taxis, and, crucially, agricultural aviation (crop dusting), which is vital for the area's strong agribusiness sector. While it did not handle major scheduled commercial passenger flights in its recent history, it was an important piece of infrastructure for local business travel, medical transport, and supporting the agricultural economy.

There are no concrete or funded plans for the airport's reopening at this time. Since its closure, local political leaders have periodically expressed intentions to seek state or federal funding to renovate the airport and bring it back into compliance with ANAC standards. They cite the airport's potential to attract investment and support regional development. However, these discussions have not yet materialized into a formal, funded project with a set timeline. As of now, its official status remains closed and prohibited for operations.