The annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) takes place Aug. 8-10, 2023 at Congonhas (SBSP). Higher than normal general aviation (GA) traffic is expected during this period at SBSP.

The following is an overview of what you need to know:

Primary airport

As the event takes place at SBSP, this is the preferred airport for visiting GA operators. The static display will be on the ramp while exhibits will be adjacent in a large tented area. Note that as SBSP is a domestic airport so operators coming from outside the country will need to plan additional stops into/out of Brazil for customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) clearance. As international operators to SBSP will be making more than one stop in Brazil they’ll need both an overflight permit from ANAC (Brazil CAA) and a domestic permit, validated by Customs upon first landing.

Parking Options

During LABACE, GA operators seeking parking, and not part of the static display, will need to request private hangar space. This should be requested as early as possible due to limited options. The good news is that parking for aircraft not associated with the event should not be an issue this year, due to hangar space availability.

Planning Tips

Sao Paulo Campinas Airport (SBKP)

If you’re bringing an aircraft for static display purposes, additional requirements apply for domestic permits as the aircraft must be temporarily imported. At least one-month lead time is needed for this and it’s recommended to use a customs broker.

For operators just attending the event, a few days lead time will be sufficient for arrangements and permits. If you’re not able to arrange hangar parking at SBSP plan to park at Campinas (SBKP) and Guarulhos (SBGR), they are both 24-hour airport of entry (AOE). SBGR has parking availability at the open-sky hangar. You may find their overnight prices, which start after 3 hours on the ground and after every 24 hours period.

In-Flight Catering

For in-flight catering at SBSP, a minimum of 24 hours advance notification is needed. If you’re stopping in Brazil to clear CIQ, en route to SBSP, you will normally be able to retain certain catering that is onboard. Items such as vegetables, meat and fruits will need to be discarded.

Fuel Uplift Considerations

When operating in Brazil it’s important to carry a fuel release, as some fuelers do not accept cards for domestic legs. During the LABACE period, fuel uplifts may be accomplished either on arrival or departure. SBSP has dedicated fuel trucks for hangar operations, and we do not foresee delays so long as fuel arrangements have been made in advance.

Hotels and Local Transport

During the August LABACE timeframe, we do not anticipate issues with hotel availability. However, hotels close to the airport will likely be busier than normal. Plan on 200-300 USD/night for 4-star crew accommodations. For local transport we recommended pre-paid (car and driver) options, and your ground handler can assist with this.

Airport Slots and Airport Closures

Universal Aviation Brazil can support your request at SBGR and any other airport throughout the country.

SBGR and SBKP do not mandate airport slots, but prior permission required (PPR) is needed. The minimum lead time for a PPR request is three hours prior to arrival, but it’s recommended to make requests one week prior due to restricted parking availability.

For SBGR and SBKP PPR, full schedule, full operator and aircraft information is always needed.

To operate at SBSP, a Slot letter is required in advance. Slots are scarce and highly contested since they become available only 5 days prior operations. This affects FPL filing.

Landing Permits

If you’re only making one stop in Brazil, all you need is an overflight permit. This is processed by ANAC (Brazil CAA) with lead time of 48 hours. Required documentation includes airworthiness and registration certificates, worldwide insurance, pilot licenses and first class medicals. Charter (non-scheduled commercial) operators also need to provide an AOC and the Ops Specs.

For more than one stop in country, a domestic permit is also required. To obtain this, your entire schedule for Brazil is needed and private non-revenue operators must provide a customs letter stating that the flight is not for revenue purposes. Charter operators will need to provide a copy of the charter agreement. Note that authorities in Brazil are strict on cabotage rules.

Flight Plan Requirements

Specific information is always needed on the flight plan. You’ll need to provide PIC name, origin/departure point, overflight permit number, GENDEC CFM, landing fee number, airport slot confirmation, operator name and phone, and field 19 is mandatory. If a flight plan does not include this information it will not be approved. Be mindful that minimum lead time for filing a flight plan is 45 minutes prior to departure. So, if you have a flight delay you’ll not be able to takeoff within this 45-minute timespan. Lead time for FPL filing at SBSP is 1h30 due to slots.

Passport and Visa Considerations

Passports must have at least six months remaining validity. Effective, June 17, 2019, U.S., Australia, Canada, and Japan citizens will no longer need visas for tourist, flight crew, or standard business trips to Brazil.

CIQ Options

Choosing an airport to clear CIQ on the way to/from SBSP will be determined by your departure/destination points. For aircraft arriving from North America, Manaus (SBEG) and Brasilia (SBBR) are often considered. Other options are Guarulhos (SBGR) and Campinas (SBKP). For those coming in from Europe, Recife (SBRF) is a good CIQ clearance stop. When arriving/departing from/to Argentina clearance stops to consider include Florianopolis (SBFI) and Porto Alegre (SBPA).

CIQ Procedures

CIQ clearance is in the main terminal at all airports in Brazil. There are no separate lines for GA passengers, and average clearance time is approximately 30 minutes. Be mindful that if you’re arriving during a peak period for scheduled commercial activity, CIQ clearance time could take longer. There’s a private terminal (GATGRU) at SBGR, that can accommodate one operation at a time and costs 2000 USD per use and SBJH (private airport) that costs 4000 USD (parking fee not included).

Conclusion

During the LABACE period, SBSP will have higher than normal traffic, but we don’t expect parking issues due to hangar space available at the field. Note that SBSP is a domestic-only airport so additional stops into and out of the country are needed for those looking to travel here. Also, if you are looking for hotels close to the airport, it’s best to request this now.

Be aware of permit requirements depending on the number of stops you make in Brazil. Certain documentation needs to be furnished for both the overflight and domestic permit. Note the flight planning and CIQ requirements when traveling to Brazil.

If you plan to clear customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) at an airport of entry (AOE) in Brazil and continue on to Congonhas (SBSP), the domestic permit requirement, and associated longer lead time, kicks in.