Airport Type & Size
Major domestic airport with 2 runways 02R/20L at 1,323m/4,341ft and 02L/20R at 1,260m/4,134ft, supports B738/A320, 6.2M pax/year.
Why should this airport be added to World of Airports?
It’s a dual runway airport with limitations on aircraft sizes allowed to be operated into it. The 737-800 and A320 are the largest types permitted so it would be a good challenging airport.
Major Airlines & Routes
GOL, Azul and LATAM but if this is modelled within the 2000s, after 2006 when the new terminal had opened or before with the old terminal, you also had TAM, VARIG, VASP, Rio Sul, Ocean Air, TRIP, Passaredo and Webjet amongst others.
Unique Features or Challenges
Terminal complexity, limited stand space, limited aircraft size, double runways requiring crossing, awesome landing over downtown Rio with Christ the Redeemer overlooking the airport, plus the high rise buildings of downtown Rio, the Rio–Niterói Bridge, Brazilian Navy base and the Museo do Amanha all within local distance.
The airport dead centre from across the estuary in Niterói, Christ the Redeemer is either just in the cloud or behind the oil rig.
Santos Dumont would honestly be an amazing addition too. Even though it’s a smaller airport, the approaches and the scenery are absolutely iconic. Landing surrounded by the bay, mountains and the city skyline would make it one of the most beautiful airports in the game.
My thoughts exactly. You bringing me back to GIG and I suddenly remembered the iconic TAM A319 photo I’ve put in the post and realised SDU was it’s own airport haha. There’s a chap on Instagram who keeps asking for CGH but SDU would be a much cooler C Class airport with so many good planespotting opportunities and some quite challenging ops, plus I can’t see it being too hard to setup but it would be a really fun time for those chaps who model the surroundings as there’s so much close to the airport, a bit like BOS in that respect.
This is an airport I would only want if historic airlines were included. Otherwise its just the same boring trinity of Brazil’s airlines with even less variety than a USA airport lol!
The current terminal was finished in 2006 and opened at the start of 2007 but aside from that, it hasn’t changed much in many years. Having the Fokker 50s of TAM and Rio Sul, Passaredo’s mixed fleet which is unique in Brazil plus the Fokker 100s of Ocean Air would make the early 2000s ideal imo. Though I’d love to also have some earlier types. It really could be a great airport for operating how you want in what era you want due to its lack of changes over the years.
Haha exactly! SDU has such a unique personality compared to most airports. The short runway, difficult approaches, bay views and the city literally surrounding the airport would make it a really memorable C Class airport in WoA. It would probably become one of the most visually iconic airports in the game.
I get your point haha, but I think airports like GIG or SDU would stand out more because of the operational experience and scenery rather than airline variety alone. Some airports become memorable because of their approaches, atmosphere and layout — not just the airlines.
I honestly agree. A historical setup would make Brazilian airports far more unique in WoA. Seeing TAM Fokker 50s, Ocean Air F100s and older regional operations would give the airport a completely different identity and atmosphere compared to modern operations.
There’s a ton of airports around the world with as good or better scenery, similar or more interesting operations, and serve as hubs for airlines that increase livery diversity though. With the devs going through remodel processes and making new airports to a significantly higher standard than older airports, they only have so much time, and I can’t see airports like this truly being worth the time to prioritize.
And honestly, the scenery around SDU makes it even more special. Few airports in the world have that combination of bay views, mountains, city skyline and close approaches. It has a really unique atmosphere.
That’s a fair point, honestly. But I think some airports become memorable not just because of airline diversity, but because of the overall atmosphere and identity they bring to the game. Airports like SDU or GIG have a very recognizable environment that could create a unique experience even with fewer liveries.
Airport Name and ICAO/IATA Code
Location (City, Country)
Airport Type & Size
Why should this airport be added to World of Airports?
Major Airlines & Routes
Unique Features or Challenges
Optional: Links, images, maps, or videos
,
