As other Brazilian general aviation airport proposals fight paperwork battles, Aerovale will finish earthmoving next month and begin paving its 5,000- by 98-foot Category V runway, to meet an opening date of May 30. The airport is in Caçapava, next to São José dos Campos, and 66 miles from São Paulo and 198 miles from Rio de Janeiro–a location that might make the planned 320,000-sq-ft of ramp space a favored option for business jets visiting Brazil for the World Cup in June and July.
Permitting began eight years ago for what was as recently as August to be a business condominium with a runway. “It was enormously gratifying when minister Moreira Franco called to ask if we would like a license to operate as a commercial airport,” developer Rogero Penido told reporters last week. “We’ll be inviting you back in a few weeks for the signing ceremony.”
Aerovale’s access to the Carvalho Pinto highway it borders should be finished on December 5, with access to the main Rio-São Paulo Via Dutra. The rugged terrain required moving 5.6 million yards of earth, and a planned 12-story building rising from the highway will have its terrace level with the runway.