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| Barreirinhas Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Barreirinhas Airport |
| Nativename | Aeroporto de Barreirinhas |
| Iata | BRB |
| Icao | SJRH |
| Type | Public |
| Operator | Infraero |
| City-served | Barreirinhas |
| Location | Maranhão, Brazil |
| Elevation-f | 16 |
| R1-number | 04/22 |
| R1-length-m | 1,300 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt |
Barreirinhas Airport is a regional aerodrome serving the coastal municipality of Barreirinhas in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. It provides air access to the nearby Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, supporting tourism linked to São Luís, Paulino Neves, and other Atlantic littoral communities. The airport acts as a node connecting domestic operators to national hubs such as Tocumen and Brasília via feeder services.
Barreirinhas Airport functions as a public regional airport near the Parnaíba River delta and the Lençóis Maranhenses dune fields, facilitating flow from coastal and inland points including São Luís, Imperatriz, and Caxias. The facility sits within Brazilian Airspace administered under national civil aviation rules by ANAC and air traffic coordination by the DECEA. Its strategic role intersects with regional tourism networks linking to Jericoacoara, Parnaíba, and the Amazonas gateway towns.
The airport was established to support growing ecotourism to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park during the late 20th century, paralleling development seen in Fernando de Noronha and Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul). Initial operations involved small turboprop services akin to routes operated by regional carriers such as Avianca Brasil (predecessor regional partners) and MAP Linhas Aéreas. Infrastructure upgrades corresponded with state-led tourism initiatives tied to administrations from Governo do Maranhão and federal tourism promotion by Embratur. Events such as regional airshows and municipal festivals in Barreirinhas increased seasonal traffic, prompting runway resurfacing and modest terminal expansion in line with ANAC certification requirements.
The single-runway airport features an asphalt runway (04/22) of approximately 1,300 metres suitable for light and medium turboprops like the ATR 42, Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante, and Cessna 208 Caravan. The apron and taxiway layout accommodate charter operations, air taxi services affiliated with operators from São Luís Airport and regional fixed-base operators connected to Fortaleza. Passenger facilities include a small terminal building with check-in, baggage handling, and basic passenger services, comparable to other regional airports such as Santarém. Ground support equipment and firefighting are maintained to standards stipulated by state firefighting authority.
Scheduled services have historically been operated by regional airlines linking to hubs including São Luís and occasional charters to Belém and Fortaleza. Operators active in the regional market have included carriers similar to Azul Brazilian Airlines (regional affiliates), LATAM Brasil (feeder partnerships), and independent air taxi companies registered under ANAC certifications. Seasonal links to tourism-focused destinations increase during the dry season when access to Lençóis Maranhenses peaks.
The airport is accessed via municipal roads connecting to BR-402 and local routes toward Parnaíba River ferry crossings and the town center of Barreirinhas. Ground transport options include municipal taxis, passenger vans servicing ecotourism lodges and pousadas, and rented 4x4 vehicles common for transfers into the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park access points. Port connections along the nearby Atlantic coast link to regional maritime services operating from ports such as Tutóia and Tutoia for combined sea-air itineraries.
Passenger and movement statistics fluctuate seasonally, peaking during the dry season for Lençóis Maranhenses visitation, with annual passenger counts modest compared with state hubs like São Luís. Aircraft movements predominantly involve turboprop commuter flights, air taxi operations, and private charters associated with operators from Fortaleza, Belém, and São Luís. Cargo throughput is minimal, largely limited to supplies for lodges and local commerce in Barreirinhas.
Operational incidents at regional fields similar to this airport have included runway excursions, bird strikes involving coastal avifauna found in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park ecosystem, and minor technical malfunctions on commuter flights operated by turboprop aircraft such as the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante and Cessna 208 Caravan. Investigations of such events are conducted by the CENIPA and reported through ANAC channels when applicable.
Category:Airports in Maranhão