Marrecão Airport

The primary reason for the closure was urban development. The city of Brusque prioritized the land for the construction and expansion of a major municipal event center. The airport's location, which was once on the outskirts, had become increasingly central due to the city's growth, leading to safety concerns and making the land highly valuable for commercial and public use. The decision was made to re-purpose the area to host large-scale events, which was deemed more beneficial for the local economy than maintaining a general aviation airfield.

The former airport site has been completely redeveloped and is unrecognizable as an airfield. The land is now occupied by the 'Centro de Eventos Maria Celina Vidotto Imhof', a large convention and event center famous for hosting the annual Fenarreco (National Duck Festival). The area also includes the Kartódromo Internacional de Brusque (an international go-kart track) and extensive parking lots. The runway, hangars, and all other aviation infrastructure have been demolished.

Formerly known by its official name 'Aeródromo Comandante Carlos Kohler' (ICAO: SDBK), the airport was a key general aviation facility for Brusque and the surrounding Itajaí Valley region. Inaugurated in the 1970s, it was established largely through the efforts of local business leaders from the prominent textile industry who required faster transportation. The airport primarily handled private aircraft, air taxis, and medical flights. It was also the home of the 'Aeroclube de Brusque', a flight school and club that was central to pilot training and recreational aviation in the area. For decades, it served as a vital link for business travel and emergency services.

There are zero prospects for reopening the original Marrecão Airport, as the site is permanently occupied. However, there is a strong and persistent movement led by local business associations (such as ACIBr - Associação Empresarial de Brusque) and politicians to build a new airport for the region. The lack of an airport is seen as a hindrance to economic development, particularly for the city's robust industrial sector. Several studies have been conducted to identify a suitable location for a new airfield in or near Brusque, but as of early 2024, the project remains in the planning and political negotiation stage with no definitive timeline or funding secured for construction.