Santarém-Maestro Wilson Fonseca Airport is currently the 5thbusiest airport of northern region of Brazil and it is located half-way between Manaus and Belém, being an alternative for international flights. The airport was opened on March 31, 1977 and it was administrated by the Brazilian Air Force until it was transferred to Infraero in the early 1980s. It replaced another facility which was located in a district that is now called "Old Airport", presently a highly populated residential district of the same name. The old runway was made into a large avenue with several squares and event venues.
Airlines and destinations
Accidents and incidents
28 November 1995: a TABAFairchild Hiller FH-227 registration PP-BUJ operating a cargo flight from Belém-Val de Cans to Santarém crashed on its second attempt to approach Santarém. A passenger occupied the co-pilot's seat. The crew of 2 and 1 of the 2 occupants died.
11 September 2008: a W&J Taxi Aéreo Embraer 711C Corisco registration PT-NNM operating a cargo flight from Alenquer to Santarém crashed 11 kilometers from the airport. The pilot declared emergency and ditched the aircraft into the Tapajós river after running out of fuel. Of the 3 people aboard 2 survived and were rescued by a small boat that was passing by. The body of one passenger was later found 800m from the site. The aircraft was salvaged and investigated.
29 September 2011: A Beechcraft BE35 Bonanza registration PT-AVK lost radio contact with the control tower after departing. Officials later learned the aircraft had crashed in a nearby community. The pilot and a passenger perished in the crash. The investigation revealed the aircraft suffered an inflight catastrophic structural failure of the tail section due to poor maintenance and corrosion.
07 September 2017: A Piquiatuba Táxi AéreoCessna 210 registration PT-KKK on a medevac flight to Piquiatuba, 16km southeast of the airport. The airplane lost engine power and diverted to Santarém. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot decided to land the aircraft on a beach 4 km east of the runway. All 4 people onboard survived. The investigation concluded the airplane did not have enough fuel for the flights it made, ultimately resulting in the crash due to fuel starvation to the engine. This accident resulted in Brazil's Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center recommending the suspension of Piquiatuba Taxi Aéreo's license due to poor operational safety management.
Access
The airport is located from downtown Santarém. The airport is served by taxis, and has a regular bus line connecting the airport to downtown area.
