โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
45
minutes
Interline Connections
75
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Forquilhinha - Criciรบma Airport (CCM), also known as Diomรญcio Freitas Airport and identified by its ICAO code SSIM, serves the city of Criciรบma in Santa Catarina, Brazil. This regional airport plays a vital role in supporting private aviation, aeroclubs, flight schools, air medical services, and organ transport for transplants. While it has not operated scheduled commercial flights since late 2016, it remains an essential facility for general aviation and critical services in the southern region of Santa Catarina.
The airport's passenger terminal, with a total area of 529.54 square meters, is compact but thoughtfully designed to cater to its current operational needs. It includes a boarding room, a disembarkation area, and a check-in queue area, alongside a spacious public lounge. These facilities are maintained to provide a functional and comfortable environment for pilots and passengers using the airport for private and specialized flights. The terminal's simplicity reflects its focus on efficiency for non-commercial operations.
Operational infrastructure at CCM includes an aircraft fueling station and four existing aircraft hangars, with provisions for future expansion. The airport is strategically located approximately 6 kilometers from downtown Criciรบma and 8 kilometers from downtown Forquilhinha, with easy access via major highways. This accessibility, combined with its robust general aviation support, ensures its continued importance for regional connectivity and emergency services, even without scheduled commercial traffic.
๐ Connection Tips
Forquilhinha - Criciรบma Airport (CCM), also known as Aeroporto Diomรญcio Freitas, is primarily a general aviation and executive flight hub serving the southern region of Santa Catarina. Because major commercial carriers have transitioned their operations to the newer Humberto Ghizzo Bortoluzzi Regional Airport (JJG) in Jaguaruna, "connecting" here often involves a ground transfer. JJG is located approximately 40 kilometers to the east, about a 45-minute drive via the BR-101 highway.
If your itinerary involves a commercial arrival in Jaguaruna and a private or charter departure from Forquilhinha, you should allow at least 2 to 3 hours between flights to account for luggage retrieval, ground transport, and potential regional traffic. There is currently no official shuttle service connecting the two airports directly. The most reliable options for transfer are rideshare apps like Uber or 99, or pre-arranged private car services from local Criciรบma providers.
For those who prefer to drive, major car rental agencies like Localiza and Movida have presences in the region, allowing for a vehicle pickup at one airport and drop-off at the other, though it is wise to confirm one-way rental fees in advance. Additionally, for travelers connecting to the state capital, Florianรณpolis International Airport (FLN) is located about 200 kilometers to the north, roughly a 3-hour drive. Always verify your departure airport twice, as many travelers confuse the regional facility in Forquilhinha with the commercial hub in Jaguaruna.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Avelino Vieira Airport (AAG) is a small civil airstrip located in the municipality of Arapoti, in the state of Paranรก, Brazil. The facility primarily serves the regional agricultural and industrial needs of the area, providing a landing site for private aircraft, air taxis, and occasional government flights. There is no formal passenger terminal building with typical commercial amenities; instead, the airport features a simple administrative structure and hangars that support local general aviation operations. The layout is rudimentary, consisting of a single runway and a basic apron area for aircraft parking.
Because the airport does not host scheduled commercial services, it lacks standard passenger infrastructure such as check-in counters, security checkpoints, and baggage carousels. Travelers using this facility are typically doing so via private charter or personal aircraft and coordinate directly with the airport management or local services. The environment is extremely quiet, with activity usually limited to daylight hours and pre-coordinated operations. The proximity of the airport to the city centerโjust 6 kilometers awayโmakes it a convenient point of entry for business visitors to Arapotiโs industrial sector.
Facilities at AAG are exceptionally limited, with no dedicated lounges, cafes, or shops available to the public. There are no on-site fuel services or night lighting, which restricts flight operations to visual flight rules (VFR) during the day. Passengers should arrive fully prepared with any necessary provisions, as there is no infrastructure for food, water, or telecommunications for transient travelers at the airstrip itself. This is a purely functional facility designed to support the logistical needs of one of Paranรก's key agricultural regions.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting at Avelino Vieira Airport requires understanding its role as a general aviation facility serving Arapoti's major industrial operations, particularly the BO Paper (formerly International Paper) complex with its 150,000 tons annual paper production capacity and nearby timber operations processing 220,000 cubic meters from surrounding pine plantations. The airport, operated by the Municipality of Arapoti under Aeroportos do Paranรก supervision, exclusively handles private aircraft, air taxis, and business aviation supporting the region's industrial executives and technicians, with no scheduled commercial services available. Located just 6 kilometers northeast of downtown Arapoti, the facility's single runway 05/23 operates under visual flight rules during daylight hours only, lacking the lighting systems necessary for night operations.
Transfers to Brazil's commercial aviation network require careful coordination, with Afonso Pena International Airport in Curitiba approximately 240 kilometers southeast via BR-376 and PR-092, typically requiring a three-hour drive through mountainous terrain. Alternative connections include Londrina Airport 180 kilometers north or Ponta Grossa Airport 120 kilometers south, though neither offers the extensive domestic and international connections available at Curitiba. Ground transportation must be pre-arranged through local operators or industrial contacts, as the airstrip lacks rental car agencies, taxis, or public transit connections, with most visitors coordinating transfers through their host companies or utilizing vehicles from the paper mill's logistics fleet.
Weather conditions in this humid subtropical climate zone can significantly impact connection planning, particularly during the October to March rainy season when afternoon thunderstorms frequently develop over the Paranรก highlands, potentially closing the VFR-only airfield with minimal notice. Business aviation operators familiar with the region typically schedule morning arrivals to avoid afternoon weather buildups and coordinate fuel stops at larger airports, as Avelino Vieira lacks on-site refueling infrastructure. Industrial visitors should maintain flexible itineraries and backup commercial flight options from Curitiba, as the combination of weather limitations, daylight-only operations, and the absence of instrument approach procedures can result in unexpected diversions or cancellations affecting onward travel connections.
โ Back to Forquilhinha - Criciรบma Airport