Presidente Médici International Airport
Encyclopedia
Presidente Médici International Airport, formerly , was the airport that served Rio Branco
, Brazil
until 1999, when Plácido de Castro International Airport
was opened. On that very occasion the airport was closed.
, Brazil
. Because of its proximity to the urban center and a legal dispute concerning ownership of the land where it was located, the airport was closed on November 22, 1999, when Plácido de Castro International Airport
was opened at a different location.
Today the former runway is used as an avenue and at one of its ends is located the main football stadium of Rio Branco, called Arena da Floresta. The former passenger terminal and control tower still exist, albeit abandoned.
Rio Branco
Rio Branco is a Brazilian city, capital of Acre. Located in the Valley of Acre in northern Brazil, it is the most populous county in the state, with 305,954 inhabitants, according to a 2009 estimate - almost half the state population....
, 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...
until 1999, when Plácido de Castro International Airport
Rio Branco International Airport
Rio Branco-Plácido de Castro International Airport is the airport serving Rio Branco, Brazil. Since April 13, 2009 the airport is named after José Plácido de Castro a politician leader of the Acrean Revolution.It is operated by Infraero....
was opened. On that very occasion the airport was closed.
History
Pres. Médici International Airport was the first airport of Rio BrancoRio Branco
Rio Branco is a Brazilian city, capital of Acre. Located in the Valley of Acre in northern Brazil, it is the most populous county in the state, with 305,954 inhabitants, according to a 2009 estimate - almost half the state population....
, 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...
. Because of its proximity to the urban center and a legal dispute concerning ownership of the land where it was located, the airport was closed on November 22, 1999, when Plácido de Castro International Airport
Rio Branco International Airport
Rio Branco-Plácido de Castro International Airport is the airport serving Rio Branco, Brazil. Since April 13, 2009 the airport is named after José Plácido de Castro a politician leader of the Acrean Revolution.It is operated by Infraero....
was opened at a different location.
Today the former runway is used as an avenue and at one of its ends is located the main football stadium of Rio Branco, called Arena da Floresta. The former passenger terminal and control tower still exist, albeit abandoned.
Airlines and destinations
The following airlines once served the airport:- Cruzeiro do SulServiços Aéreos Cruzeiro do SulServiços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
- Panair do BrasilPanair do BrasilPanair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
- VarigVarigVARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
- VASPVASPViação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
Accidents and incidents
- September 28, 1971: a Cruzeiro do SulServiços Aéreos Cruzeiro do SulServiços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
Douglas DC-3 A-414ADouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
registration PP-CBV crashed after take-off from Sena MadureiraSena MadureiraSena Madureira is a municipality located in the center of the Brazilian state of Acre. Its population is 34 230 and its area is 25,278 km², making it the largest city in the state. It has a climate which combines temperatures of almost 100F with humidities in the upper 90s percent, all year...
bound to Rio Branco. The aircraft suffered an engine failure at climb-out. The pilot tried to return to the airport but because the turn was done at very low altitude, the right wing struck trees causing the aircraft to crash. All 32 passengers and crew died. - June 22, 1992: a VASPVASPViação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
cargo Boeing 737-2A1CBoeing 737The 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...
registration PP-SND en route from Rio Branco to Cruzeiro do SulCruzeiro do Sul International AirportCruzeiro do Sul International Airport is the airport serving Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil.It is operated by Infraero.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
crashed in the jungle while on arrival procedures to Cruzeiro do Sul. The crew of 2 and 1 occupant died.