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Operations at Guarulhos Airport Were Interrupted for About Two Hours This Sunday After Drones Invaded the Airspace, Affecting More Than 30 Flights and Delaying the Boeing to Lisbon, in a Scene of Chaos for Passengers.
Guarulhos Airport, the main international terminal in São Paulo, was closed for about two hours this Sunday after at least eight drones were spotted in the airspace of the landing and takeoff area, forcing the temporary suspension of operations twice until safety was restored.
More than 30 flights were affected, including cancellations and rerouting to other airports, and a flight bound for Lisbon, operated by a Boeing with a capacity for 410 passengers, was delayed. Passengers scheduled to board around 5:40 PM faced delays and uncertainty until the flight was released, around 7:10 PM.
Eight Drones on the Route of Guarulhos Airport
According to information from Guarulhos Airport itself, the restriction occurred because at least eight drones were sighted in the airspace near the takeoff and landing route.
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Air traffic control failure causes momentary chaos in São Paulo and forces planes to fly over longer before landing at Guarulhos and Congonhas.
The presence of these devices forced the operation to close for safety, interrupting landings and takeoffs on a Sunday afternoon.
The command center at Guarulhos Airport called the Military Police to investigate the presence of the drones in the area.
The suspicion is that the devices were in positions that could directly interfere with the maneuvers of the aircraft, which led to the decision to temporarily halt operations at the terminal.
More Than 30 Flights Affected and Boeing to Lisbon Delayed
During the time Guarulhos Airport was closed, more than 30 flights were impacted, some canceled and others redirected to different airports. Passengers relying on the terminal during this period faced delays, rebookings, and route changes.
Among the affected flights was one bound for Lisbon, on a Boeing with a capacity for 410 passengers, which was scheduled to take off at 5:40 PM.
Due to the presence of drones in the airspace of Guarulhos Airport, the flight could not depart on time. The release only occurred around 7:10 PM when the aircraft returned to the runway and was finally able to continue its journey.
According to the airline responsible for the flight, passengers received assistance during the waiting period until operations at Guarulhos Airport normalized.
Action of the Military Police and Signal Blocking
After being notified by the command center at Guarulhos Airport, Military Police teams were dispatched to the terminal area.
The occurrence also involved support from the Special Operations Command, which used a signal jammer to attempt to neutralize the drones’ activity in the sensitive airport area.
The use of the signal jammer aimed to restore safety in the airspace of Guarulhos Airport, allowing landings and takeoffs to resume with the least possible risk to passengers, crews, and aircraft.
With the action of the security forces and the adoption of containment measures, Guarulhos Airport returned to normal operations after a period of approximately two hours of interruption.
Investigations into the Drone Incident
After the episode, an investigation was launched to understand why the drones were in the airspace of Guarulhos Airport and under what conditions they were operated.
Authorities have not yet detailed how the devices were initially detected or where they were controlled from.
The administration of Guarulhos Airport reported that, after the critical period, flights returned to normal, but the incident still raises concerns about the vulnerability of large terminals to the irregular use of drones in approach and takeoff areas.
Episodes like this show how small devices can have a significant impact on the routine of thousands of passengers.
Now, the investigations should focus on clarifying the circumstances of the drones’ flight, those responsible for the operation, and the potential legal consequences of the incident.
And you, what do you think should change to prevent drones from paralyzing Guarulhos Airport and affecting so many flights in a single day?
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