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City Prepares For A New Milestone That Could Completely Transform Tourism And The Economy Of The Region.
Olímpia, a city located in the interior of São Paulo, famous for its water parks and tourist attractions, is about to take a big step in its history: the construction of an international airport.
Known as the “Brazilian Orlando,” a reference to the famous American city known for its theme parks and tourist attractions, Olímpia attracts millions of visitors every year.
Now, the city is preparing to receive international flights, an important milestone that promises to change the dynamics of the region.
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With an investment of R$ 500 million from the federal government’s Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), the city is set to inaugurate its new air terminal by 2027, significantly expanding the region’s tourism and transportation infrastructure.
The airport will be the third in São Paulo to be built with the capacity for international flights, joining the existing ones in Guarulhos (Cumbica) and Campinas (Viracopos).
Development Strategy For The City
The city of Olímpia is already a consolidated destination for Brazilian tourism, with 4.8 million tourists per year.
Its main attraction is Thermas dos Laranjais, one of the largest and most famous water parks in Brazil, as well as Hot Beach Olímpia, both internationally recognized.
The region also hosts the Valley of the Dinosaurs, a theme park that mainly delights children, with life-sized replicas of dinosaurs.
With the arrival of the airport, the city hopes to reach a new level.
In addition to expanding the existing 34,000 lodging beds, there are plans to reach 40,000 by 2027.
Olímpia stands out as a growing tourism hub, and the construction of the airport will only reinforce this trend.
Strategic Location Of Olímpia
With a privileged location, 430 kilometers from São Paulo, Olímpia is situated between two major cities in the interior of São Paulo, São José do Rio Preto and Ribeirão Preto, and is close to the Triângulo Mineiro.
The city receives tourists from all over Brazil, but it has also attracted international visitors, especially due to the quality of its parks and the growing supply of hotels and resorts.
The new airport will be built on a 200-hectare plot purchased by the city hall.
The chosen location is 20 kilometers from the urban center, with easy access via the region’s main highways, such as Rodovia Assis Chateaubriand and Estrada Municipal Diógenes Breda Filho.
Characteristics Of The New Airport
The new terminal will be designed to accommodate up to 1 million passengers per year.
With a runway of 2,100 meters in length and 45 meters in width, the airport will have the capacity to receive large aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, commonly used for international flights.
There is also the possibility of expanding the runway to 2,500 meters, which will allow for the accommodation of even larger planes in the future.
In addition to its passenger transport function, the new airport will be strategic for cargo, with an aircraft parking area of 200 meters, capable of accommodating up to six aircraft simultaneously.
This space will allow for efficient operations of large aircraft, especially cargo planes, which will be important for the distribution of products from the region.
In October 2024, the airport in Olímpia was federalized by the Ministry of Ports and Airports, transferring responsibility for the construction and management of the terminal to Infraero, a public company linked to the federal government.
According to the Olímpia city hall, the work is expected to begin sometime in 2025, with an estimated completion time of two years.
Economic Impact And Benefits For The Region
The new airport in Olímpia is expected to have a positive impact on the region’s economy.
According to the city hall, the terminal will have direct effects on 37 cities in the region, with an approximate population of 1 million people.
In addition, Mayor Geninho Zuliani stated in an interview that the airport will be essential for the flow of regional production, benefiting cities in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul.
The expectation is that the airport will also attract flights from neighboring South American countries, such as Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile, boosting tourism and international trade.
Olímpia, with its already consolidated and attractive infrastructure, could establish itself as a new tourism hub in Brazil, expanding its borders and attracting an even broader audience.
Critiques And Challenges To The Project
Despite the positive expectations, the airport project in Olímpia has also generated criticism in the aviation sector.
According to Raul Marinho, technical director of the Brazilian General Aviation Association (Abag), the runway of the new airport could be larger to accommodate the demand for larger international aircraft.
He believes that, with the planned runway size, the terminal will only be able to receive smaller aircraft, such as the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737, which are more common in domestic operations.
Marinho also questions the distance of Olímpia from the São Paulo capital, which could hinder competition with the airports in Guarulhos and Viracopos, which are closer to São Paulo.
In addition, he points out that other cities in the interior, like Ribeirão Preto, also have plans to build international airports, which could dilute demand.
The Future Of Olímpia As An International Destination
Despite the criticism, the new airport in Olímpia represents a tremendous opportunity for the city and for the state of São Paulo.
With the arrival of new tourists and the possibility of receiving international flights, Olímpia has the potential to establish itself as a world-class tourist destination, alongside other Brazilian cities that are already references, such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Florianópolis.
The transformation of Olímpia into an international tourism center can serve as a model for other Brazilian cities seeking to expand their borders and increase their relevance on the global stage.
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