Florianópolis Airport realises cargo-handling potential with first B747-400F flight

Brazilian hub Florianópolis International Airport, which is a subsidiary of the Zurich Airport Group, welcomed its first ever incoming Boeing 747-400 flight on yesterday (June 11).

The freighter flight, which was operated by Terra Avia air company from the Republic of Moldova, flew from China to Brazil carrying 700 cu m of hospital supplies, including of personal protective equipment, from a private importer.

Florianópolis International Airport said that the handling of the aircraft has helped it to realise its potential to process cargo from freighter flights in the future.

Meanwhile, general director Ricardo Gesse, said Florianópolis International Airport “is on the same level as that of the five major airports in the country, in [terms of] cargo handling”.

“This flight is the realisation of the great potential of the Florianópolis International Airport, which Floripa Airport has always believed in and worked hard to demonstrate, namely, that our airport is excellently equipped to handle cargo,” he said.

Gesse also observed that the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, where Florianópolis International Airport is located, has what it takes to be a logistical hub in southern Brazil ⁠— partly due to apron and runway renovations carried out in 2018 and 2019.

“Our state has unique conditions for international transportation of goods by air, with one of the most attractive tax incentive programs in Brazil for this segment,” he said.