Cabeceira de Congonhas

Slipping through time, let’s journey back to the 1930s. São Paulo, a bustling metropolis, needed a new airport. The old Campo de Marte, nestled beside the Tietê River, was prone to flooding. So, in 1935, the search began for a better location. The chosen spot? An open field in the district of Campo Belo, known as Congonhas. Cabeceira de Congonhas became a reality. This location offered excellent visibility and drainage. The name Congonhas itself pays homage to Lucas Antônio Monteiro de Barros, the Viscount of Congonhas do Campo. He was the first president of the Province of São Paulo after Brazil’s independence. Interestingly, “Congonhas” also refers to a type of yerba mate common in the Viscount’s birthplace. Cabeceira de Congonhas wasn’t built by the government initially. A private company, Cia. Auto-Estradas, constructed a dirt runway on their land. They envisioned a new neighborhood, Vila Congonhas, springing up around the airport. This first runway saw its inaugural flight on April 12, 1936. Pilots tested the field’s suitability. By September, the government, after agreeing on a price, officially acquired the land. Cabeceira de Congonhas became the São Paulo Airport. Cabeceira de Congonhas’s growth mirrored São Paulo’s. The 1940s saw the first major renovation, with the main runway extended to 1,865 meters. A new passenger terminal, designed in the Art Deco style, opened in 1955. By 1957, Congonhas was the third busiest airport globally for cargo, trailing only London and Paris. In 1959, the airport added an international wing and inaugurated the Rio-São Paulo air shuttle. Cabeceira de Congonhas, always evolving, has seen its share of challenges. In 1985, international and domestic flights shifted to Guarulhos, leaving Congonhas relatively quiet. This changed in 1990 when domestic flights returned. Congonhas regained its status as Brazil’s busiest airport. The airport implemented a slot system in 1996 to manage the increasing air traffic. Even today, securing a slot at Cabeceira de Congonhas is a testament to an airline’s success. It signifies high demand and profitability.