โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Lauro Kurtz Airport (PFB), also known as Passo Fundo Airport, is a primary regional aviation hub serving the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Following a major modernization project completed in April 2022, the airport features a completely new and significantly expanded passenger terminal building. It acts as a vital infrastructure link for the region's agribusiness sector, connecting Passo Fundo to major national hubs like Sรฃo Paulo and Campinas via carriers such as Azul, GOL, and LATAM.
The modernized terminal infrastructure provides a variety of upgraded amenities, including a new air-conditioned boarding hall, expanded check-in modules, and streamlined security screening points. Travelers have access to multiple cafรฉs and retail kiosks offering travel essentials and local snacks, alongside free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the complex. The facility is fully accessible and designed for high-efficiency transit, ensuring short walking distances between the arrivals area and the main terminal exit.
Ground transportation to central Passo Fundo, located approximately 8 miles (13 km) to the southwest, is well-supported by official taxi ranks and widely used ride-sharing apps like Uber and 99. Several major car rental agencies maintain desks directly within the terminal, and the airport offers secure on-site parking situated along the BR-285 highway access point. The 2022 upgrades also included a full reconstruction of the 1,700-meter runway, allowing the airport to reliably accommodate larger commercial jet aircraft like the Boeing 737.
๐ Connection Tips
Lauro Kurtz Airport (PFB) is the primary gateway to the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Ground transport is efficient; official taxis meet every scheduled arrival from Sรฃo Paulo and Porto Alegre via Azul and Latam, reaching the city center in about 10-15 minutes for a fare of roughly 50-65 BRL. Ride-hailing apps like Uber are also highly active and reliable.
For those on a budget, intercity buses (e.g., Planalto) stop at the main terminal in Passo Fundo city, providing links to the rest of the state. The terminal was recently expanded and handles processing very quickly The city bus stop makes the airport handy for downtown Passo Fundo, but it is still the kind of field where business and health travel dominate the daily rhythm.
Arrive 90 minutes before domestic departures. Facilities include several cafes, souvenir shops, and car rental agencies. Ensure you have cash (BRL) for local transport Passo Fundo's airport is especially handy for medical, university, and agribusiness trips, because the city-side transfer is shorter than the ground journey to the next major hub. A city taxi or bus stop should be chosen before arrival, because Passo Fundo works best when the ride is already easy.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Deputado Joaquim d'Abreu Coelho Airport (AAI), serving the municipality of Arraias in the southeastern region of Tocantins, Brazil, functions primarily as a general aviation airfield with no scheduled commercial airline services. The airport's infrastructure is modern, having been completed in 2013, and the terminal building is small and functional, designed to accommodate the low volume of traffic from private planes, air taxis, and government aircraft. It includes a basic lounge area and parking facilities, providing essential services for those operating private flights into this remote part of the country.
The layout of the airport is very simple, consisting of a single runway and a small apron for aircraft parking. As there are no commercial flights, the usual passenger processing facilities such as check-in desks, security screening areas, and baggage claim carousels are not present. Operations are managed on a smaller scale, typically coordinated directly between pilots and the local airport administration. The environment is exceptionally quiet, with flight activity being intermittent and generally restricted to daylight hours due to the lack of advanced lighting systems.
Despite its new infrastructure, the airport remains uncertified by the Department of Airspace Control (as of late 2023), which limits its potential for future scheduled routes. For now, it remains a critical piece of local infrastructure, providing a vital connection for business in the region's agricultural sector and for private travel, significantly reducing travel time compared to the long overland journeys from major cities like Palmas or Brasรญlia.
๐ Connection Tips
Connections at Deputado Joaquim d'Abreu Coelho Airport require careful coordination within Brazil's general aviation network, as this uncertified facility in southeastern Tocantins exclusively handles private aircraft and air taxis supporting the region's agricultural economy. Located 15 kilometers from Arraias town center, serving a municipality of 10,534 residents across 5,787 square kilometers of agricultural land, the airport completed its infrastructure in August 2013 but remains uncertified by the Department of Airspace Control as of 2023, limiting operations to visual flight rules during daylight hours. This certification status requires all operators to verify current operational permissions with DECEA before planning any flights to or from the facility.
Transfers to Brazil's commercial aviation network necessitate ground transportation over considerable distances, with Palmas Airport 320 kilometers north via TO-110 highway requiring approximately four hours of driving through rural Tocantins terrain. Brasรญlia International Airport, 435 kilometers southwest, offers more extensive domestic and international connections but demands five to six hours of road travel across state boundaries. Alternative regional airports include Araguaรญna in northern Tocantins for connections to Belรฉm and Sรฃo Paulo, though this involves an even longer 600-kilometer journey. Agricultural aviation operators familiar with Brazil's 2,539-strong agricultural aircraft fleet may coordinate fuel stops at certified airstrips in nearby municipalities, as Arraias lacks refueling infrastructure.
Weather patterns significantly impact connection reliability, particularly during the October to March wet season when afternoon thunderstorms frequently develop across Tocantins plateau, potentially closing VFR operations without warning. The airport's role in supporting regional agriculture, particularly soybean and cattle operations characteristic of this cerrado region, means private aircraft movements often coincide with planting and harvest seasons, creating potential congestion despite the lack of scheduled services. Travelers must pre-arrange all ground transportation through local contacts or agricultural cooperatives, as the remote location offers no taxi services, rental cars, or public transit options, with most visitors relying on farm vehicles or pre-booked transfers from Arraias town.
โ Back to Lauro Kurtz Airport