Orlando Bezerra de Menezes Airport (JDO)

Orlando Bezerra de Menezes Airport (IATA: JDO, ICAO: SBJU), also known as Juazeiro do Norte Airport, serves as the primary air transport hub for the Cariri region in the state of Ceará, Brazil. It is a crucial gateway for the area, facilitating access for religious pilgrims visiting the city's famous sites, as well as for business travelers and tourists exploring the region's rich culture and geological formations. The airport plays a significant role in connecting this interior part of Northeast Brazil with major national hubs.

Inaugurated in 1954, the airport was later named after a prominent local politician. Its importance grew alongside Juazeiro do Norte's status as a major center of religious pilgrimage. Over the decades, it has undergone several modernizations to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, with a significant renovation and expansion of its terminal in the early 2000s. Since 2020, the airport has been operated by Aena Brasil, which has initiated further improvements to its infrastructure and services.

Located approximately 8 kilometers south of the city center, the airport is easily accessible. The journey to or from downtown Juazeiro do Norte typically takes 15 to 20 minutes by car. Travelers can reach the airport via taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber, or by private vehicle, with a main access road connecting it directly to the city. Short-term and long-term parking facilities are available on-site.

JDO exclusively handles domestic flights, with no scheduled international services. Major Brazilian airlines, including Azul, GOL, and LATAM, operate regular flights connecting Juazeiro do Norte to key destinations such as São Paulo (Guarulhos and Congonhas), Campinas, Recife, and Fortaleza. The airport handles several hundred thousand passengers annually, making it one of the busiest in Ceará's interior.

The airport features a single, functional passenger terminal. Inside, travelers will find essential amenities, including check-in counters, a departures hall with boarding gates, and a baggage claim area. Facilities include a small food court with cafes and snack bars, several retail shops offering local crafts and travel essentials, ATMs, and car rental desks for agencies like Localiza and Movida. Wi-Fi is available within the terminal.

For a smooth travel experience, passengers on domestic flights are advised to arrive 90 minutes to two hours before their scheduled departure. The airport's compact size allows for relatively quick navigation from check-in to the gate. Upon arrival, taxis and app-based transport services are readily available just outside the terminal for onward travel. Due to its focus on domestic point-to-point routes, it is not a common airport for flight connections.