โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Antรดnio Correia Pinto de Macedo Airport (LAJ), identified by its ICAO code SULB (formerly SBLJ), is a regional aviation facility located in the highlands of Santa Catarina, Brazil, serving the city of Lages. The airport is currently undergoing a significant R$ 2.3 million infrastructure upgrade, scheduled for completion in May 2025, which includes a full renovation of the passenger terminal roof and the installation of a new 2.4-meter high perimeter fence to meet rigorous ANAC safety standards. While regular scheduled commercial services for the region have primarily migrated to the neighboring Correia Pinto Airport (EEA), Lages remains a critical node for executive aviation and regional logistics.
The terminal building provides a functional environment tailored for non-commercial flight operations, managing approximately 70 rotations per month. Inside, the facility serves as a primary hub for specialized services including organ transport, aeromedical evacuations, and public safety flights for the Santa Catarina military police. Travelers utilizing the airport for private charters or business aviation will find essential waiting areas and administrative support, with the facility's design emphasizing rapid processing and high security for its niche operational focus.
Infrastructure at Lages is centered around a 1,530-meter asphalt runway (16/34) equipped for both night operations and instrument landings (IFR). Ground transportation is well-supported by its proximity to the city center, situated just 6 kilometers from downtown Lages, providing a significantly faster connection than the 30-kilometer journey required for commercial jet services at Correia Pinto. As of 2026, the facility continues to play a vital role in supporting the region's prominent cattle ranching and timber industries, maintaining its status as a critical emergency and business aviation link for the Serra Catarinense highlands.
๐ Connection Tips
Lages Airport (LAJ), officially known as Antรดnio Correia Pinto de Macedo Airport, is a significant regional aviation facility serving the city of Lages and the surrounding Santa Catarina highlands, Brazil. The airport is located approximately 6 kilometers from the city center. Lages is a major center for regional trade and is famous for its rural tourism and its cold, highland climate; if you are visiting for the Festa do Pinhรฃo or exploring the spectacular Serra do Rio do Rastro, ensure your ground transport is confirmed before landing. The regional climate is unique in Brazil for its high elevation, which can lead to localized morning fog and occasional snow groundings during the winter months (June-August).
The airport primarily handles domestic flights operated by regional carriers like Azul, connecting Lages to major national hubs such as Campinas (VCP). Upon arrival, local taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are the most reliable modes of ground transportation. Arriving at least 90 minutes before domestic departures is typically sufficient to navigate the thorough but generally fast security screening. When connecting back to a long-haul international flight from Campinas or Sรฃo Paulo, always allow for a minimum 4-hour buffer to account for potential regional delays.
For international travelers, the most efficient route is to fly into Sรฃo Paulo or Campinas and take a short domestic flight to Lages. It is standard practice to negotiate the fare beforehand, as ride-hailing apps have inconsistent coverage in this interior part of the state. Facilities at LAJ are functional and professional, offering basic passenger amenities including a waiting lounge and a few local snack kiosks serving regional specialties. LAJ provides a professional and remarkably direct entry point for those looking to explore the unique cultural heritage and natural beauty of the southern Brazilian highlands.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Romeu Zema Airport (AAX) is a domestic airport located in Araxรก, Minas Gerais, Brazil, serving the city and its surrounding region. The airport operates a single, compact passenger terminal designed for efficient processing of domestic arrivals and departures. Its straightforward layout ensures that all key areas, including check-in counters, security screening, and departure gates, are easily accessible within the same building, making navigation intuitive for travelers.
Despite its modest size, the terminal provides essential facilities for passengers. While there are no extensive luxury lounges, a basic lounge area with comfortable seating is available for travelers awaiting their flights. Dining options are modest, typically limited to one or two small cafes or snack bars (lanchonetes) located in the public area before security. These offer refreshments and light meals.
The airport prioritizes efficiency, and pre-flight formalities, including check-in and security screening, are generally quick. This allows for a more relaxed experience compared to larger, busier airports. The airport does not handle international flights directly, so all international processes for connecting travelers would occur at larger Brazilian international airports.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Romeu Zema Airport serves Brazil's thermal spa tourism market with Azul's specialized route network linking Araxรก to Sรฃo Paulo Guarulhos and Belo Horizonte Confins airports using Embraer E190 aircraft. The airport, located 4 kilometers from Araxรก city center, operates as a wellness tourism gateway with Azul providing Monday and Friday direct service to Guarulhos in partnership with the iconic Grande Hotel Termas de Araxรก, while daily connections via Belo Horizonte enable access to Azul's broader domestic network serving 14 cities across Minas Gerais state.
Domestic connections require coordination through Brazil's hub system, with Belo Horizonte offering the most comprehensive onward routing including Azul's international services to Curaรงao and Fort Lauderdale launched in 2023, while Guarulhos provides extensive domestic and international connectivity through multiple carriers. The compact terminal processes passengers efficiently with minimal connection times, though travelers must account for longer transfer periods at destination airports where security rescreening and potential terminal changes can extend connection requirements to 90-120 minutes during peak spa tourism seasons from May through September.
Azul has increased Araxรก's weekly capacity from 63 to 280 seats, reflecting growing thermal wellness tourism that drives passenger traffic to the region's famous therapeutic mineral waters and mud treatments. Weather patterns during Brazil's wet season (December-March) can occasionally impact operations at this VFR-dependent regional airport, requiring flexible scheduling particularly for connecting flights during afternoon thunderstorm periods. Ground transportation coordination is essential for spa guests, with the 15-minute drive to Grande Hotel's thermal facilities requiring pre-arranged transfers, while the airport's strategic position in the Triรขngulo Mineiro region enables access to multiple therapeutic resorts and wellness centers that form the foundation of Araxรก's tourism-dependent aviation market.
โ Back to Lages Airport