Fernando de Noronha Airport
Encyclopedia
Fernando de Noronha Airport is the airport serving the island of Fernando de Noronha
, Brazil
.
and 360 km (224 mi) away from Natal
.
The first runway was built in 1934. In 1942, during World War II
, the runway was extended and a passenger terminal was built by the United States Army Air Force Air Transport Command
under the Airport Development Program. It provided technical support for the Natal
-Dakar
air route, which provided a transoceanic link between Brazil
and French West Africa
for cargo, transiting aircraft and personnel.
The airport was transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Navy
on 5 September 1944. After the end of the war, the administration of the airport was transferred back to the Brazilian Government.
In 1975 another extension of the runway was made allowing the operations of aircraft up to the class of a Boeing 737
. In March, 1999, the present passenger terminal was opened for service.
On 1 June 2009, Air France
flight 447
, an Airbus 330-203
registration F-GZCP en route from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 550 km (342 mi) northeast of Fernando de Noronha. Search and rescue operations were based at Fernando de Noronha Airport.
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, offshore from the Brazilian coast. The main island has an area of and had a population of 3,012 in the year 2010...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
History
Fernando de Noronha is the biggest island of the archipelago with the same name, located on Brazilian territorial waters, 545 km (339 mi) away from RecifeRecife
Recife is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper...
and 360 km (224 mi) away from Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
.
The first runway was built in 1934. In 1942, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the runway was extended and a passenger terminal was built by the United States Army Air Force Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
under the Airport Development Program. It provided technical support for the Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
-Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
air route, which provided a transoceanic link between Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and French West Africa
French West Africa
French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan , French Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Upper Volta , Dahomey and Niger...
for cargo, transiting aircraft and personnel.
The airport was transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on 5 September 1944. After the end of the war, the administration of the airport was transferred back to the Brazilian Government.
In 1975 another extension of the runway was made allowing the operations of aircraft up to the class of a Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
. In March, 1999, the present passenger terminal was opened for service.
On 1 June 2009, Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
flight 447
Air France Flight 447
Air France Flight 447 was a scheduled airline flight from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Paris-Roissy involving an Airbus A330-200 aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on 1 June 2009, killing all 216 passengers and 12 aircrew. The investigation is still ongoing, and the cause of the...
, an Airbus 330-203
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
registration F-GZCP en route from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 550 km (342 mi) northeast of Fernando de Noronha. Search and rescue operations were based at Fernando de Noronha Airport.
Airlines and destinations
Accidents and incidents
- 14 December 1987: a Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
Lockheed C-130H HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
registration FAB-2468 flying from Recife to Fernando de Noronha, crashed into the sea shortly before landing. All 29 crew and passengers died. - 20 September 1990: an Embraer EMB110P1 BandeiranteEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
registration PT-PAW belonging to the Government of Pernambuco flying from Fernando de Noronha to Recife crashed into the sea shortly after take-off. All 12 crew and passengers died.