Campo de Marte Airport

Did you hear about the time two million people gathered at Campo de Marte Airport, not for a flight, but for a gospel concert? It happened in 2003, when the Brazilian gospel group Diante do Trono recorded their sixth album, “Quero me Apaixonar”. Campo de Marte Airport, nestled in the northern part of São Paulo in the Santana district, became an unlikely concert venue, showcasing its versatility beyond aviation. This wasn’t the first time Campo de Marte had witnessed history. Opened in 1929, it was São Paulo’s first airport. Imagine the early days of aviation here, with VASP airlines launching its first scheduled flights from Campo de Marte in 1933, connecting São Paulo with cities like São José do Rio Preto and Uberaba. Sadly, the airport also faced its share of turmoil. During the 1932 Constitutionalist Revolution, Campo de Marte was bombed by government forces. It also experienced a devastating flood in 1929, which ultimately led to VASP opening Congonhas Airport in 1936 as a more reliable alternative. Despite these setbacks, Campo de Marte Airport continued to serve the city. Today, it’s a hub for general aviation, executive flights, and air taxis. It’s home to the São Paulo Flying Club, the largest aviation school in Latin America. The airport also houses the São Paulo Civil Police’s Air Tactical Service and the Military Police’s Air Radio Patrol Group. Campo de Marte Airport has even played host to a papal visit. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Frei Galvão, the first Brazilian-born saint, during a mass held right here on the airport grounds. From gospel concerts to papal masses and aviation history, Campo de Marte Airport has certainly seen it all.