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A billion-dollar project that promised to revolutionize the economy remains hampered by bureaucracy and contradictory decisions. Andaraguá Airport, which could generate 58 jobs, awaits a solution, while environmental licenses remain suspended. What is needed for this project to come to fruition?
Have you ever imagined the impact of a giant airport, capable of generating 58 thousand jobs, becoming stopped for almost two decades? A grand project, which promised to transform the economy of Baixada Santista, remains stalled, and is increasingly distant from completion.
With an estimated value of R$1,5 billion, the Andaraguá Airport and Business Complex in Praia Grande is facing bureaucratic issues and suspended environmental licenses. But what really happened? And what are the chances of this project getting off the ground?
Blocking the project and suspending the environmental license
According to information from the Daily Coastal newspaper, in 2014, Cetesb (Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo) granted a preliminary environmental license for the development of the project, which included the construction of a runway larger than that of Santos Dumont Airport, in addition to 847 thousand square meters destined for industrial warehouses, inspired by Export Processing Zones (ZPEs).
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However, in 2020, CETESB backtracked, revoking the license and referring the decision to the Court of Justice of São Paulo (TJ-SP). This move has stalled the project ever since, and left the future of the region in limbo.
The area, located on the border of Praia Grande and São Vicente, covers 12 million square meters. Interestingly, only 19% of this immense area would be used for the construction of the airport and industries. The vast majority, around 81%, would be transformed into a Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), ensuring ongoing preservation and environmental education.
Court decisions and the inertia of the enterprise
According to a decision by the Court of Justice, in October 2021, the body issued a favorable ruling for the project, apparently removing obstacles to the project. However, even after this decision, the licensing process remains stalled.
Why, then, does such a significant investment remain on hold, even with judicial approval? Businessman André Ursini, from Icipar Empreendimentos, responsible for the area, questions this inertia to the aforementioned newspaper and believes that direct intervention by the governor could unlock the situation.
According to Ursini, he has already met with Governor Tarcísio de Freitas. “I think he could help us by bringing everyone involved together to find a solution.” According to him, the concern goes beyond economic loss: the risk of invasion of the area and waste of land are real and alarming.
Cetesb and changes in discourse
A curious point in this long saga is the constant change of position of Cetesb itself. Initially, the environmental agency justified the suspension of the license based on the decision of the TJ-SP.
However, in recent statements, Cetesb began to state that the cancellation of the license was due to “repeated non-compliance with the imposed technical requirements”. This change of version causes surprise. According to Ursini, Icipar was never formally informed about this alleged non-compliance with technical requirements.
According to Diário do Litoral, Cetesb itself filed a statement of clarification, taking the case to the TJ-SP and obtaining a favorable decision in October 2021, which eliminated the obscurities and contradictions in the previous ruling. However, Even with this legal victory, the project remains at a standstill.
Economic impact of the shutdown
If the airport were in operation, the generation of direct and indirect jobs could reach the mark of 58 thousand jobs, according to estimates from Icipar itself.
Additionally, we bring the project would have the power to transform the socioeconomic profile of Baixada Santista, taking the region to a new level of development. The construction of industrial warehouses in the area would promote a flow of investments, attracting new companies and creating a robust production chain.
Businessman André Ursini regrets the constant bureaucratic obstacles, and highlights that the first phase of the project was ready to start, with 247 thousand square meters of warehouses planned. “In two years, we would complete this stage and begin the second phase with the construction of the airport and another 200 thousand square meters of warehouses,” said Ursini.
What to expect from the future of the Andaraguá project?
The uncertainty regarding the future of the Andaraguá Airport and Business Complex continues to be a headache for investors and residents of the region. While Cetesb and the Court of Justice continue to exchange justifications, time is running out for the enterprise, which remains surrounded by uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, some believe that political support could be the key to unlocking the project. According to Ursini, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas has already been consulted, and there is an expectation that he will take measures to mediate the situation.
While environmental licenses remain suspended, and judicial injunctions do not bring concrete relief, the question remains: what else needs to happen for this billion-dollar investment to finally be released?
