Having secured a tender in October 2017 to install and manage a general aviation terminal (GAT) and FBO at São Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport (GRU/SBGR), partners Jetex Flight Support from Dubai and Brazil’s CFLY Aviation are advancing in their plans to create the terminal under the GATGRU project. While Jetex is focusing primarily on the flight-support functions of the new facility, CFLY is managing aircraft parking and storage elements.

Currently, there is a two-hour parking limit for private domestic flights at GRU, and three hours for international flights. Since its inception in October, the GATGRU scheme has offered a 100,000-sq ft apron for long-term parking, which can accommodate up to 16 business jets and three helicopters.

Another hindrance to business aviation operations—at any Brazilian airport—is the lack of customs/immigration at any FBO, with international passengers having to clear these formalities within the airport terminal. Jetex and CFLY aim to position Federal Police facilities within the GATGRU complex so that border formalities can be undertaken on-site—a first for Brazil. The new facility has been strategically located at GRU so that it will enjoy exclusive access away from commercial passenger traffic, a feature that is attractive to both private and government users.

In the current phase of development, the GATGRU partnership is installing a temporary general aviation terminal, built out of containerized units and offering a 5,700-sq-ft space that can provide trip support, while processing up to 60 passengers per hour. This could be ready to begin operations as early as next January. Later next year a heliport facility with four spaces is to begin operations.

Beyond that, the GATGRU complex is scheduled to gain hangarage and expanded apron with accommodation for 39 jets, and also a permanent 20,800-sq-ft terminal with a throughput capacity of up to 200 passengers per hour. Under current plans, this is scheduled to open in July 2020.

GATGRU represents another major step into Latin America for Jetex, which already operates FBOs at Toluca in Mexico and Santiago in Chile. A successful partnership with CFLY, and implementation of the terminal and Jetex-branded FBO at GRU, is expected to pave the way for further expansion in the region, including at other locations in Brazil.