The airport had its origins on a runway built in the 1930s and which was used by Ceará Flying School until 2000. During World War II, the airport was an important allied base supporting Southern Atlantic operations. On May 13, 1952 the original name, Cocorote Airport, was changed to its present name paying tribute to Ceará-born aviator Euclides Pinto Martins. In 1966 a passenger terminal and apron were built. This former passenger terminal, on the north area, now serves as a General Aviation Terminal for private aircraft, where general aviation, executive and air taxi operations take place. From January 7, 1974 to December 31, 2017 the facility was operated by Infraero and in 1997 it was upgraded to international category. Through a partnership between Infraero, federal government and state government, a 35,000 m² passenger terminal was built in the southern area, and dedicated in February 1998. It has a capacity for 3.8 million passengers per year, 14 aircraft parking positions and with automation systems. It was auctioned on March 16, 2017 to the consortium Fraport AG of Frankfurt, Germany for R$425 million for use for 30 years. Among the established in the contract is the reform of the current terminal and termination of the attached work, abandoned by Infraero, as well as increase of the only runway. From June 2017 to 2018 both companies run the entire airport, as of 2018, it manages the airport entirely in its operations. The contract signed on July 28, 2017 says to renew and complete the investments of Infraero for the passenger terminal and the lengthening of the single runway. On January 2, 2018, the airport started to be administrated by Fraport. In February 1998 a new passenger terminal was opened in south area. On August 31, 2009, Infraero unveiled a BRL 525 million investment plan to upgrade the International Airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Brazil, Fortaleza being one of the venue cities. The investment was distributed in the renovation and enlargement of passenger terminal, apron, and parking with completion due in November 2013, however after abandoned. Just a removable Tent was made. In November 2018, it was reported the structure construction of terminal extension was 37% complete. In April 2019, the expansion construction was 60% completed after one year of work. The company provided expansion of terminal and tracks, remodeled taxi and traffic area, and redesigned the airport road system, with a Viaduct, received automatic baggage management, security control and new aircraft boarding bridges. On April 27, 2018 started the beginning of the construction of the two-story terminal extension with completion expected to April 14, 2020. More than R$ 1 billion was invested till 2021. On June 25, 2019 a 60 clerk Check-in area was opened, with 40 domestic to Azul, Gol, Latam and 20 international to Air France, KLM and Tap, in which 78% of works were concluded. On 15 October 2019, 92% was concluded.
Airlines and destinations
Statistics
Year
Passengers
% Difference
Aircraft Movement
% Difference
International Guests
2003
1.868.699
36.486
156.366
2004
2.317.869
24.0%
39.618
8.5%
252.895
2005
2.774.240
19.6%
42.537
7.3%
249.634
2006
3.282.979
18.3%
46.567
9.4%
268.281
2007
3.614.439
10.0%
47.226
1.4%
267.881
2008
3.465.791
4.1%
47.703
1.0%
242.908
2009
4.211.651
21.5%
51.861
8.7%
223.899
2010
5.072.786
20.4%
62.570
20.6%
229.463
2011
5.649.604
11.4%
65.853
5.2%
232.550
2012
5.964.223
5.6%
65.388
0.7%
199.965
2013
5.952.535
0.2%
66.819
2.6%
207.207
2014
6.500.649
9.2%
68.695
2.8%
222.420
2015
6.347.543
2.0%
61.556
10.0%
219.126
2016
5.706.489
10.0%
53.133
14.0%
224.133
2017
5.935.288
4.0%
54.177
1.7%
247.958
2018
6.648.967
12.0%
57.465
9.9%
2019
7.211.701
8.5%
59.693
3.9%
Accidents and incidents
June 8, 1982: a VASPBoeing 727–212 registration PP-SRK operating flight 168 from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Fortaleza collided with a mountain south to airport. Aircraft descended too low during approach. All 137 passengers and crew died.
October 21, 1998: a Capital Taxi Aéreo Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia registration PT-WKH crashed on approach to Fortaleza. The thrust reversers of the aircraft were positioned below the idle position due to a pilot error, causing loss of control. Both crew members and the sole passenger died, as well as one person inside a house. Seven other peopleon the ground were injured.
Access
The airport is located south of downtown Fortaleza.
