Pelotas–João Simões Lopes Neto International Airport is the airport serving Pelotas, Brazil. This airport was named after the regional writer João Simões Lopes Neto (1865 — 1916). It is operated by CCR.

History

On June 22, 1927 the city of Pelotas received the first official commercial passenger flight operated by the first Brazilian airline, Varig, founded only a month earlier. The flight Porto Alegre/Pelotas/Rio Grande, operated by an amphibian Dornier Wal, used Pelotas River for landing and take-off operations. However, as early as 1930 a small terminal was built by a grass strip on the site where today is the airport. In 1935 the airport with all the necessary amenities was officially inaugurated and continues in operation ever since. In 1997 the whole airport complex was extensively renovated and a new terminal was opened in 1998. In 2001 it was upgraded to international status. Previously operated by Infraero, on April 7, 2021 CCR won a 30-year concession to operate the airport. Pelotas is commonly used by the Brazilian Air Force as the last stop in Brazil on its flights to the Brazilian Antarctic Base.

Airlines and destinations

Note:

Accidents and incidents

Access

The airport is located 8 km from downtown Pelotas.