Fortaleza–Pinto Martins International Airport (IATA: FOR, ICAO: SBFZ) is the international airport serving Fortaleza, Brazil. It is named after Euclides Pinto Martins (1892–1924), a Ceará-born aviator who in 1922 was one of the pioneers of the air link between New York City and Rio de Janeiro.
On May 13, 1952, the original name, Cocorote Airport, was changed to its present name paying tribute to Ceará-born aviator Euclides Pinto Martins.[5]
On July 21, 1953, within a law prescribing rules for the naming of airports, the name of the facility was officially and exceptionally maintained as Pinto Martins Airport.[6]
In 1966, a passenger terminal and apron were built. On the north area, this former passenger terminal, now serves as a General Aviation Terminal for private aircraft, where general aviation, executive, and air taxi operations occur.
In 1997, the airport was upgraded to the status of international airport (Portaria 393 GM5, of June 9, 1997).
From January 7, 1974, to December 31, 2017, the facility was operated by Infraero. Through a partnership between Infraero, the federal government, and the state government, a new 35,000 m2 passenger terminal was built in the southern area. It was opened in February 1998.
On August 31, 2009, Infraero unveiled a BRL 525 million (US$276.6 million, EUR 193.8 million) investment plan to upgrade the airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Brazil, Fortaleza being one of the venue cities. The investment focused in the renovation and enlargement of the passenger terminal, apron, and parking with completion due in November 2013.[7]
Responding to critiques to the situation of its airports, on May 18, 2011, Infraero released a list evaluating some of its most important airports according to its saturation levels. According to the list, Fortaleza was considered to be requiring attention, operating between 70% and 85% of its capacity.[8]
On March 16, 2017, the concession of the airport was auctioned to the consortium Fraport AG of Frankfurt, Germany, for R$425 million for use for 30 years. Among the improvements established in the contract signed on July 28, 2017, was to renew and complete the investments of Infraero related to the passenger terminal, and the lengthening of the runway. Following the auction, between June 2017 to 2018 a transition period took place in which Fraport and Infraero managed the airport. Since January 2, 2018, Fraport is the sole administrator.[9]
On April 27, 2018, the construction of the two-story terminal extension started as well as expansion of the terminal and tracks, a remodeled taxi and traffic area, and a redesigned airport road system with a viaduct.[10] On June 25, 2019, a 60-position check-in area was opened,[11] and finally on April 14, 2020, the renovation was completed. Presently, the airport can handle 4 million passengers per year, and it has 14 aircraft parking positions.
Fraport launched the idea of an airport real estate project to call attention to investments in huge warehouses, shopping centers, and hotels, but nothing has been constructed until 2024.[12]
The present facility covers 531 hectares (1,312 acres) of land with one runway.[13]
Air side terminal in 2017Land side entry in 2012Aerial view in 2002
Following is the number of passenger, aircraft and cargo movements at the airport, according to Infraero (2007-2017) and Fraport Brazil (2018-2023) reports:[18][19][1]
Year
Passenger
Aircraft
Cargo (t)
2023
5,564,542 3%
53,199 2%
62,768 56%
2022
5,748,892 45%
54,294 31%
40,353 18%
2021
3,971,382 27%
41,343 26%
34,155 5%
2020
3,129,551 57%
32,897 45%
32,613 33%
2019
7,211,701 8%
59,693 4%
48,341 5%
2018
6,648,967 12%
57,465 10%
46,146 8%
2017
5,935,288 4%
52,290 2%
42,756 6%
2016
5,706,489 10%
53,133 14%
40,165 15%
2015
6,347,543 2%
61,556 10%
47,087 7%
2014
6,501,822 9%
68,695 3%
50,504 28%
2013
5,952,629
66,814 2%
39,389 11%
2012
5,964,308 6%
65,391 1%
44,310 12%
2011
5,647,104 11%
65,853 5%
50,380 4%
2010
5,072,721 20%
62,570 21%
48,336 24%
2009
4,211,651 21%
51,861 9%
38,923 8%
2008
3,465,791 4%
47,703 1%
36,153 5%
2007
3,614,439
47,226
38,172
Accidents and incidents
June 8, 1982: a VASPBoeing 727-212 registration PP-SRK operating flight 168 from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Fortaleza collided with a mountain during approach procedures 25 km (16 mi; 13 nmi) south to airport. Aircraft descended too low during approach. All 137 passengers and crew died.[20][21]
October 21, 1998: a Capital Táxi Aéreo Embraer EMB 120 Brasília crashed into a house 2 km (1.2 mi; 1.1 nmi) short of the runway during approach. All three people on board and one person on the ground died.[22]
Access
The airport is located 6 km (4 mi) south of downtown Fortaleza.
^Silva, Germano da; Ari César, Carlos (2008). "VASP 168". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 [The witch's trail: history of Brazilian commercial aviation in the 20th century through its accidents 1928–1996] (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 318–326. ISBN978-85-7430-760-2.
