Londrina Airport / Governador José Richa is a domestic airport in southern Brazil, third largest in the state of Paraná and fourth in the southern region of Brazil. The airport operates regional and national flights and has the capacity to receive medium-sized planes such as the Boeing 737, the Fokker 100 and the Airbus A320, although there are records of landings of model aircraft Boeing 757 and the widebody Douglas DC-10. It is also eventually used as a destination for Brazilian Air Force airc... Londrina Airport / Governador José Richa is a domestic airport in southern Brazil, third largest in the state of Paraná and fourth in the southern region of Brazil. The airport operates regional and national flights and has the capacity to receive medium-sized planes such as the Boeing 737, the Fokker 100 and the Airbus A320, although there are records of landings of model aircraft Boeing 757 and the widebody Douglas DC-10. It is also eventually used as a destination for Brazilian Air Force aircraft in training.
History The arrival of the first pioneers to the city that today is called Londrina in 1923. Despite the great development of the region, the first airport was only created in 1936. But it was only after 1945, with the end of the second world war, that airlines started offering more flight options.
In the 50s, aviation peaked in Londrina. To accommodate the growing movement of aircraft, two large hangars were built. In 1956 the paving of the runway was inaugurated. Two years later, a new passenger terminal would replace the wooden facilities.
The name of the airport is a tribute to José Richa, who was the 47th governor of the State of Paraná, between 1983 and 1986, being the first governor elected after the end of the Military Regime.
After a few years, in 2000, work began on expanding the new passenger terminal. The chosen project, by architect André Silvestri, is inspired by the shapes of the wings of an airplane.
In 2010, the release of approximately R $ 20 million was confirmed, for the extension of the runway by 600 meters, installation of ILS (CAT I), a meteorological station (DMS I), Approach lights system (ALS I) and the installation of a DVOR next year.
Track and ILS The expansion of the runway is also planned, but it is part of the “ILS package”, according to the superintendent. “We are excited that the ILS soap opera can be resolved soon. Unfortunately, the installation of the device depends on a number of factors. However, in the last year, the shares advanced more than in the previous 13 years, ”he said.
The works that are already being done in the yard are preventive. “We are doing preventive maintenance, to avoid future problems. It is almost like maintaining a swimming pool, ”he explained. According to Pio, passengers and airlines are not being harmed. “We do it by modules to avoid problems. Even so, 120 days before we started, we communicated to companies to avoid any problems ”, he explained.
