Airlines today present alternatives to the Porto Alegre terminal, closed due to tragedy

The airlines presented this Tuesday, 7th, to the Ministry of Ports and Airports a regional aviation plan with alternative routes to Porto Alegre airport, Salgado Filho, closed for an indefinite period due to the effects of the tragedy that is ravaging the state. According to Civil Defense, at least 85 people died, 134 are missing and another 1.2 million were affected in 385 cities.

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The airlines’ plan began to be discussed this Monday, 6th, with the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho. In addition to Salgado Filho, the state has 11 other airports and the projection is that up to six will be able to receive larger flights.

“In view of the closure of Porto Alegre airport, we are working so that airlines can take flights to other airports in the state, which can help with the movement of the population”, Costa Filho told the column, this Tuesday morning,

Porto Alegre’s main terminal is the largest in the state and receives, on average, 150 flights per day. The minister also put together a strategic planning and governance plan for the airport (see below).

“We need to wait for the water to recede and then move forward with the strategy for releasing and resuming airport operations,” said Costa Filho.

Damage assessment

At this Monday’s meeting, the ministry put together a plan to assist in the recovery of air services in Rio Grande do Sul. There are five main points:

1 – Work to guarantee the security of Porto Alegre Airport;

2 – Carry out diagnoses of damage caused to airport infrastructure;

3 – Develop a logistics strategy for the input chain, such as fuel, water, medicines, food, among others;

4 – Infraero will provide employees to assist at the airport;

5 – Present a plan to expand the air network in Rio Grande do Sul within 24 hours.

Executives from the following companies and bodies participated in the meetings with the minister on Monday night: Azul, Gol, Latam, from the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac), concessionaire Fraport Brasil SA at Salgado Filho International Airport, Brazilian Association of Airlines (Abear ), Infraero, ABR Aeroportos do Brasil, in addition to the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) and representatives of the Superintendence of Ports and Waterways of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Portos RS).

“We are working collectively under the coordination of the Civil House so that we can move forward with the restructuring of Porto Alegre airport and the ports of Rio Grande do Sul”, said Costa Filho.