Mata De São João, BR 🇧🇷 Closed Airport
BR-2076
-
49 ft
BR-BA
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -12.565371° N, -38.015812° E
Continent: SA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: SNNI SNNI
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6/24 |
2133 ft | 59 ft | ASP | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Circa late 2000s (approximately 2008-2010). The airport was gradually deactivated following the construction of the adjacent Iberostar resort complex, which began around 2006.
The airport's closure was a direct result of real estate development. The land was acquired for the construction and expansion of the large-scale Iberostar Bahia and Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte hotel complexes. The resort's footprint, including its golf course and service roads, encroached upon and eventually absorbed the airport's runway and facilities, making continued aviation operations impossible.
The site of the former airport is now fully integrated into the Iberostar resort complex. The northern half of the runway has been repurposed into a paved service road for the resort and is partially incorporated into the landscape of the Iberostar Praia do Forte Golf Club. The southern half of the runway is abandoned and heavily overgrown with vegetation, though its outline is still clearly visible on satellite imagery. The area is on private property and is completely inaccessible for aviation purposes.
Formerly known by the ICAO code SNPF, the Praia do Forte Airport was a small but important aerodrome for the region's tourism industry. It primarily served general aviation, air taxi operations, and private charter flights. Its main function was to provide wealthy tourists and property owners with direct, rapid access to the exclusive coastal resorts of Praia do Forte, bypassing the 60-80 minute drive from Salvador's Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA). It featured a single runway, approximately 1200 meters long, capable of handling small to medium-sized propeller aircraft.
There are zero prospects for reopening the original airport, as its land has been permanently repurposed. However, since the mid-2010s, there have been recurring proposals by the state government of Bahia and private investors to build a *new* airport to serve the entire Litoral Norte (North Coast) tourist region, including Praia do Forte. This proposed new airport would be located at a different site, likely near Açu da Torre, and would be designed to accommodate larger regional aircraft (such as the ATR-72) to boost tourism. As of the early 2020s, this project has not advanced beyond the planning stages and faces significant financial and environmental hurdles.