Brazil and Uruguay inaugurate Latin America's first binational airport

14-12-23

• This is a facility where airlines from two different countries will be able to operate domestic flights simultaneously.

The first 'binational' airport in Latin America -consolidating regional integration in the subcontinent- and the second in the world has been inaugurated. It is the International Airport of Rivera "Presidente General (Military Aviator Pilot) don Óscar D. Gestido", located in Uruguayan territory, very close to the border with Brazil. As it is considered binational, both Uruguayan and Brazilian airlines will be able to operate domestic flights to and from the airport simultaneously.

Thus, the airport simultaneously serves the city of Rivera (Uruguay) and its neighbor Santana do Livramento (Brazil). It so happens that these cities, despite belonging to two different countries, are separated by just one street.

In fact, the facilities have been in operation for more than 40 years. However, it has now reopened after undergoing an extensive remodeling that has included the expansion of the terminal and the improvement of the control tower. In addition, it was declared bi-national in August this year, after the Uruguayan and Brazilian authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The inauguration event was attended by the President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, the Secretary of the Presidency of Uruguay, Álvaro Delgado, the Uruguayan Ministers of Tourism, Tabaré Viera; National Defense, Javier García; Foreign Affairs, Omar Paganini; Transport and Public Works, José Luis Falero; Industry, Energy and Mining, Elisa Facio; of Labor and Social Security, Pablo Mieres; as well as Brazilian authorities, such as the Chancellor of Brazil, Mauro Vieira, the Brazilian Minister of Social Communication, Paulo Pimenta; his counterpart of Ports and Airports of Brazil, Silvio Costa Filho; the Governor of Rio Grande del Sur, Eduardo Leite, the Director of Corporación América Airports in Uruguay, Diego Arrosa, and the Mayor of Rivera, Richard Sander.

On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the remodeled airport will be put into operation during the first half of 2024 with the arrival of the Brazilian airline Azul, which will operate a flight from Porto Alegre (Brazil).