Brazil Approves Construction of New Serra Gaúcha Regional Airport 

In a move to expand Brazil’s aviation infrastructure amid booming air travel demand, the federal government has given the green light for a new regional airport in the Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul. The project, centered in the city of Caxias do Sul, is set to boost tourism, create jobs, and relieve pressure on existing airports in the state. 

Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, visited Caxias do Sul on October 16 to officially announce the authorization of construction bidding for the long-awaited airport. The R$200 million (approximately US$40 million) development will be fully financed by the National Civil Aviation Fund, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving regional connectivity. 

Green Light for Long-Awaited Airport 

Local communities and businesses in Serra Gaúcha have advocated for a new airport for years, as the current regional airfield in Caxias do Sul (Hugo Cantergiani Airport) has limited capacity and little room for expansion. The government’s approval to start the tender process marks a major milestone for the region. “It is a very important day for all of us because, after so many years, we have the privilege of beginning the bidding process for this long-awaited airport. This project will be fundamental to boost tourism, strengthen the productive sector, and generate jobs and income for the region,” Minister Silvio Costa Filho said. 

Bidding for construction will proceed in late 2025, and work is expected to commence by early 2026. The new Serra Gaúcha Regional Airport will be built in the Vila Oliva district of Caxias do Sul, a site chosen after studies identified constraints at the old airport. The project timeline foresees 36 months of construction, with completion by 2029. 

Modern Facilities to Expand Capacity 

The investment will deliver modern aviation infrastructure tailored to regional needs. Plans for the airport include a 1,930-meter runway capable of handling commercial jets such as the Boeing 737-800, an apron with eight aircraft stands, and a passenger terminal of about 4,700 square meters. Supporting infrastructure will cover taxiways, internal access roads, drainage systems, security fencing, and parking for 500 vehicles. Once completed, the new airport is expected to handle up to seven million passengers per year, greatly expanding the area’s air transport capacity. 

Boosting Tourism and Regional Economy 

Serra Gaúcha is one of Brazil’s top tourist regions, known for its vineyards, mountain resorts, and cultural festivals. The new airport will fuel further growth in tourism and commerce across the region. The city of Gramado alone expects to receive 8.5 million visitors in 2025, underscoring the high demand. By providing closer air access to destinations like Gramado and Bento Gonçalves, the airport will make it easier for travelers and businesses to reach the area. 

National officials see the project as a catalyst for the local economy. “This airport will strengthen tourism, create jobs and expand Serra Gaúcha’s air connectivity, integrating passengers and cargo from across the country,” Costa Filho said. 

Local Leaders Welcome Development 

Local leaders have lauded the federal investment as transformative. Caxias do Sul’s mayor, Adiló Domênico, noted that the airport project is the result of a joint effort between the city and the national government. “This project represents a long-held dream that is finally becoming reality. With the support of Minister Silvio Costa Filho and the federal team, we are taking a decisive step to strengthen tourism, logistics, and job creation in the region,” Domênico said. 

In addition to passenger travel, the new airport will support cargo operations, giving local industries a logistical boost. It will also complement Rio Grande do Sul’s main gateway in the capital, Porto Alegre’s Salgado Filho International Airport, by providing an alternative hub and easing congestion. 

Final Thoughts 

The Serra Gaúcha project aligns with a nationwide upswing in aviation. Brazil’s airports handled 61.8 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a record high and a 10% jump over the prior year. This boom has prompted greater investment in airports under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), which earmarked R$100 billion for infrastructure. The new Caxias do Sul airport is among the projects benefiting from federal funding. “President Lula has a special focus on Rio Grande do Sul… This new airport is part of that effort and will be essential to receive tourists and cargo from Brazil and around the world,” Costa Filho said.