Presidente José Sarney Airport (PDR)

Presidente José Sarney Airport (PDR), designated by the ICAO as SJKE, is a domestic aviation facility serving the municipality of Presidente Dutra in the central-western state of Maranhão, Brazil. The airport functions primarily as a basic regional landing ground and does not feature a formal commercial passenger terminal building. It acts as a vital infrastructure link for the surrounding agricultural community and local government, providing essential connectivity for private pilots, air taxis, and medical transport. Facilities at the airstrip are extremely minimal and reflect its status as an uncontrolled regional airfield. There are no on-site commercial amenities such as retail shops, full-service restaurants, or passenger lounges, and the environment typically consists of a modest administrative structure used for essential flight coordination. Travelers and pilots are advised to be completely self-sufficient and to coordinate all logistical needs, including food and water, in the nearby Presidente Dutra town center prior to arrival. The airfield features a single 2,592-foot (790m) asphalt runway and operates strictly during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), as it is not equipped with modern instrument landing systems or nighttime lighting. Ground transportation to central Presidente Dutra, located approximately 1.8 miles (3 km) from the airstrip, is informal and typically managed via local taxi services or private vehicle arrangements. Most commercial travelers to the region utilize larger hubs like Imperatriz (IMP) or São Luís (SLZ) and complete their journey via the regional highway network.