Rio de Janeiro-Galeao International Airport

Rio de Janeiro/Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport better known by its original name Galeão International Airport is the main airport serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is named after Praia do Galeão (), located in front of the original passenger terminal (presently the passenger terminal of the Brazilian Air Force) and where in 1663 the galleon Padre Eterno was built; and since January 5, 1999 also after the Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Operated by Infraero, it is the largest airport site in Brazil. In 2010, the airport was ranked 4^th in terms of transported passengers and cargo handled, and 6^th in aircraft operations in Brazil, placing it amongst the busiest airports in the country. Furthermore, it is the 2^nd busiest airport in terms of international air traffic in the country. Some of its facilities are shared with the Galeão Air Force Base of the Brazilian Air Force.

History

The history of the airport begins on May 10, 1923 when a School of Naval Aviation was established near Galeão beach on Governador Island. On May 22, 1941 with the creation of the Brazilian Air Force Ministry, the school became the Galeão Air Force Base; a terminal and hangars were built and the runway extended. Those buildings still exist and Galeão Air Force Base is still active. When Brazil declared war against the Axis on August 22, 1942, the...
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