Silvio Pettirossi International Airport

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Silvio Pettirossi International Airport

Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi
Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi International Airport.jpg
  • IATA: ASU
  • ICAO: SGAS
Summary
Airport typePublic/military
ServesAsunción
LocationLuque, Paraguay
OpenedJune 11, 1938 (1938-06-11)
Hub for
  • LATAM Paraguay
  • Paranair
Time zoneTime in Paraguay (UTC−04:00)
Elevation AMSL89 m / 292 ft
Coordinates25°14′23″S 057°31′09″W / 25.23972°S 57.51917°W / -25.23972; -57.51917Coordinates: 25°14′23″S 057°31′09″W / 25.23972°S 57.51917°W / -25.23972; -57.51917
Map
ASU is located in Paraguay
ASU
ASU
Location of airport in Paraguay
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 3,353 11,001 Asphalt
Statistics (2020)
Passengers311,813 Decrease 75%
Aircraft operations35,405 Decrease 34%
Metric tonnes of cargo11,704 Decrease 9%
Statistics: DINAC[1]

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (IATA: ASU, ICAO: SGAS) is the main national and international gateway of Paraguay, located at the municipality of Luque, and serving the capital city, Asunción and, indirectly, the nearby city of Clorinda, Formosa, Argentina. It is named after the Paraguayan aviator Silvio Pettirossi; between 1980 and 1989 it was known as President Stroessner International Airport, after the former head of state, General Alfredo Stroessner.

In 2019, Pettirossi handled a record 1.24 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in the country. It is the main international hub for LATAM Paraguay and Paranair.

Some of its facilities are shared with the Ñu-Guazú Air Force Base of the Paraguayan Air Force.

History[]

The airport was dedicated on 11 June 1938.[2] The original passenger terminal, located near threshold 02, is now used by the Grupo Aerotáctico (GAT) of the Paraguayan Air Force whereas the present terminal was dedicated on 20 March 1980.[3] The runway of the airport was constructed in the 1960s, and was resurfaced in 1985.[4]

The terminal building splits into two international concourses, the north concourse with two gates (5 and 6) and the south concourse with four gates (1 to 4). The airport is being expanded to accommodate more gates.

Iberia provided direct flights to Asunción from Madrid from around 1968 until the mid-nineties.[5] Lufthansa flew once a week from Frankfurt to Asunción from 1971 to 1980, with DC-10 service starting in 1974.[6] For both airlines, the flights included multiple stops in destinations throughout South America. Also, during the early 90s and until its liquidation, Lineas Aereas Paraguayas flew nonstop to Frankfurt with its DC-10.

2000s[]

The check-in at the airport in 2008

In November 2004, the DINAC's director told ABC Color that the airport's runway, which its works began in 2001,[clarification needed] would be renovated and fixed by the early months of 2005.[4]

In July 2007, there was an assault at the airport by a group of five men which saw them take USD $1 million from a money exchange on the bottom floor of the airport.[7][8] The robbery occurred at 05:10AM on 31 July.[9] Mega assaultant, Juan Pablo Ortigoza, and others, were then detained.[10] Later revealed by ABC Color that the robbery was planned in Asunción's Tacumbú prison.[11] An arrested confessed that he received USD $60 thousand for the robbery.[12] Another was captured in Encarnación.[13] The money was going to be sent on a flight to Uruguay.[14][15]

The interior of the airport in 2009

In May 2008, the airport faced the possibility of not operating when a report concluded that Paraguay's aeronautic systems were in critical situation and that the DINAC manifested its preoccupation about the support machines for the service of the protection of the flights.[16] In November 2009, the ILS began operating.[17] The equipment was acquired at a cost of € 967, 400 thousand euros.[17] The system replaced the previous one, which was installed in 1980.[17] The implementation of the system put Paraguay up to date with the requirements of international security as a member of the OACI.[17] The year earlier, the landing system already completed its util life as an instrument,[clarification needed] then being exposed to the possibility of not operating on days of rain, showers, mist or fog.[17]

2010'[]

By January 2013, there were various improvements to the airport terminal to elevate to 2 million annually the reception of passengers in travel.[18] By 2015, various airlines ceased operations at the airport, including American Airlines.[19] On 17 December 2015, the first Air Europa flight arrived from Madrid, Spain and provided the first direct connection between Paraguay and Europe in 21 years.[20] In 2017, estimations according to airport infrastructure specialist Carlos Achucarro that the Silvio Pettirosso International airport would require ampliation again for 2024.[19] In January 2018, the DINAC informed about ampliation labours to the airport to face great demands of services, being obliged to make modifications, resulted by the %15 raise in travellers at the airport from 2013 to 2017.[21] The service at the airport also became competitive, previously, with 20 daily flights compared to between 57 and 60 by 2018.[21]

2020s[]

In October 2020, the DINAC announced a ceremony to reopen commercial flights after 7 months of inactivity from the Coronavirus pandemic.[22][23] In November 2020, drugs were found by agents of the National Secretary of Antidrugs, that were disguised as parcels and were destined to distinctive countries of the world.[24] In February 2021, it was announced that plans for new works on the airport's second terminal were in place for 2022.[25] In October 2021, a new route was announced between Asunción and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in charge by the Paranair airline.[26]

Airlines and destinations[]

Passenger[]

AirlinesDestinations
Aerolíneas Argentinas Buenos Aires–Aeroparque
Air Europa Córdoba (AR), Madrid
Amaszonas Santa Cruz de la Sierra–Viru Viru
Avianca Bogotá
Copa Airlines Panama City–Tocumen
FlybondiBuenos Aires–Ezeiza (resumes 1 July 2022)[27]
Gol Transportes Aéreos São Paulo–Guarulhos (resumes 9 April 2022)[28]
LATAM Brasil São Paulo–Guarulhos
LATAM Chile Santiago de Chile
LATAM Peru Lima
Paranair Buenos Aires–Aeroparque, Montevideo, Santa Cruz de la Sierra–Viru Viru
Seasonal: Florianópolis, Punta del Este, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão

Cargo[]

AirlinesDestinations
Avianca Cargo Montevideo
LATAM Cargo Brasil Medellín-JMC

Statistics[]

Annual passenger traffic at ASU airport. See source Wikidata query.

These data show number of passengers movements into the airport, according to the Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil's Aviation Sector Summary Reports.

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Passengers 733,810 823,207 868,534 835,323 915,425 910,554 1,033,168 1,180,111 1,211,576 1,239,403 311,813
Growth (%) Increase 23.29% Increase 12.2% Increase 5.51% Decrease 3.82% Increase 9.59% Decrease 0.53% Increase 13.47% Increase 14.22% Increase 2.67% Increase 2.30% Decrease 74.84%
Source: Dirección Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (DINAC). Aviation Sector Reports (2010-2020)[29]

Top routes in 2018[]

Busiest routes from Asunción[30]
Rank City Flights/week Carriers
1 Argentina Buenos Aires–Ezeiza 40 Aerolíneas Argentinas, LATAM Paraguay
2 Brazil São Paulo–Guarulhos 32 Gol, LATAM Paraguay
3 Uruguay Montevideo 19 Amaszonas Uruguay, Paranair
4 Panama Panama City 16 Copa Airlines
5 Bolivia Santa Cruz–Viru Viru 13 Amaszonas
6 Peru Lima 12 Avianca Peru, LATAM Paraguay
7 Paraguay Encarnación 10 Paranair, Sol del Paraguay
8 Paraguay Ciudad del Este 9 Paranair, Sol del Paraguay
9 Chile Santiago 8 LATAM Paraguay
10 Spain Madrid 7 AirEuropa

Access[]

The airport, located within the municipality of Luque is located 10 km (6 mi) from downtown Asunción. It may be reached via the Aviadores del Chaco Avenue, which runs adjacent to nearby Ñu Guasú Park. Local bus line 30-A links the Asunción downtown with the airport terminal.

Accidents and incidents[]

  • 16 June 1955: a Panair do Brasil Lockheed L-149 Constellation registration PP-PDJ operating flight 263 from São Paulo-Congonhas to Asunción hit a 12m tree while on final approach to land at Asunción. Part of the wing broke off, the aircraft crashed and caught fire. Of the 24 passengers and crew aboard, 16 died.[31][32]
  • 27 August 1959: an Aerolíneas Argentinas de Havilland DH-106 Comet 4 registration LV-AHP operating a flight from Buenos Aires to Asunción, while on approach to Asunción under bad weather made a forced landing close to the airport. A crew member and a passenger died.[33]
  • 29 August 1980: a Transporte Aéreo Militar – TAM Paraguayo Douglas C-47B registration FAP2016 crashed on approach to Asunción. The aircraft was on a flight to Ayolas when an engine failed shortly after take-off and the decision was made to land back at Asunción. One person was killed.[34]
  • 4 February 1996: a cargo LAC Colombia Douglas DC-8-55F registration HK-3979X on an empty positioning flight around Asunción prior to a flight from Asunción to Campinas. At VR power was reduced on no. 1 engine and, after rotation, also on the no. 2 engine. With the gear still down and flaps at 15° the aircraft lost control and crashed on a playing field 2 km past the runway. The crew possibly used the positioning flight as an opportunity for crew training. All four occupants of the aircraft and 20 persons on the ground died.[35]

Gallery[]

  • Lateral del Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi.jpg
  • Aeropuerto de Asunción Paraguay by Felipe Méndez.jpg
  • Passport Control Asuncion Airport.jpg

  • A vintage aircraft on display in the main concourse

See also[]

References[]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  1. ^ "Aeropuerto Internacional "Silvio Pettirossi" Informe Estadístico del Transporte Aéreo" (PDF). DINAC (in Spanish). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Reseña Historica", DINAC (in Spanish), 9 January 2010, archived from the original on 4 December 2021, retrieved 25 February 2021
  3. ^ "Un día como hoy se inauguraba la actual terminal del aeropuerto de Asunción". Aeronauticapy (in Spanish). 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b "En marzo de 2005 finalizará bacheo de la peligrosa pista del "Silvio Pettirossi" - Economía - ABC Color". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. ^ "A 50 años del primer vuelo de Iberia a Asunción". 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Un día como hoy de 1974 Lufthansa llegaba a Asunción con DC10". 5 July 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Los megaasaltos más sonados en Paraguay". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  8. ^ https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/implicado-en-robo-en-aeropuerto-fue-desplumado-a-dos-dias-del-atraco-1004971.html%3foutputType=amp[dead link]
  9. ^ https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/suplementos/judicial/golpe-en-aeropuerto-1618000.html%3foutputType=amp[dead link]
  10. ^ https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/arrestan-a-megaasaltante-por-el-robo-del-millon-de-dolares-1000666.html%3foutputType=amp[dead link]
  11. ^ https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/el-robo-de-un-millon-de-dolares-fue-planificado-en-la-carcel-de-tacumbu-999676.html%3foutputType=amp[dead link]
  12. ^ https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/habria-recibido-us-60000-tras-robo-en-el-aeropuerto-1011076.html%3foutputType=amp[dead link]
  13. ^ [1][dead link]
  14. ^ https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/policiales/roban-un-millon-de-dolares-en-asalto-en-el-aeropuerto-999321.html%3foutputType=amp[dead link]
  15. ^ "Detenidos en San Lorenzo tuvieron vinculación con robo en el aeropuerto - Nacionales - ABC Color". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  16. ^ "El aeropuerto de Silvio Pettirossi podría dejar de operar en 45 días | Innovación". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Comenzó a operar el nuevo ILS del aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi muestra nueva imagen - Interior - ABC Color". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Sostienen que ampliación de aeropuerto internacional de Asunción solamente requiere US$30M | AméricaEconomía | AméricaEconomía". Archived 6 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Color, ABC. "Llegó a Paraguay primer vuelo de Air Europa - Nacionales - ABC Color". Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  21. ^ a b Noelia Ferreira. "Dinac modifica el Silvio Pettirossi para mejorar calidad del servicio - .::Agencia IP::". Ip.gov.py. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  22. ^ "La Nación / Dinac se prepara para la reapertura comercial del Silvio Pettirossi". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  23. ^ "La NaciĂłn / Este jueves reinician vuelos comerciales en el aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi". Lanacion.com.py. 21 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  24. ^ "La Nación / Alerta aeropuerto Paraguay: Drogas disfrazadas de encomiendas". Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  25. ^ "La nueva terminal del aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi recibirá financiación del MOPC" (in Spanish). Icex.es. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Nueva ruta que conecta Asunción con Santa Cruz de la Sierra fue habilitada". Ultimahora.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  27. ^ "Flybondi: nuevo cambio de fecha para regreso a Paraguay". Aeronauticapy (in Spanish). 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  28. ^ "Gol anuncia oficialmente regreso a Paraguay". Aeronauticapy (in Spanish). 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Datos Estadísticos mensuales del Transporte Aéreo Comercial en Paraguay". DINAC (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  30. ^ "Asuncion Silvio Pettirossi International Airport". flightradar24. January 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  31. ^ "Accident description PP-PDJ". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  32. ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Noite do Paraguai". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 145–149. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
  33. ^ "Accident description LV-AHP". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Accident description FAP2016". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  35. ^ "Accident description HK-3979X". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2011.

External links[]

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