Regulatory Action Taken by ANAC
Brazil's civil aviation regulator, the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), announced on January 26, 2026, a freeze on new flight slots at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). This measure will remain in effect until the airport operator, GRU Airport, completes necessary safety upgrades identified during a recent inspection. The decision was made public during a Jornal Hoje news segment.
Identified Safety Deficiencies
A surprise inspection conducted earlier this month by ANAC revealed several air-side safety deficiencies at Brazil's largest airport. These critical issues include:
- Worn taxi-lane markings, which can compromise ground navigation.
- Inadequate apron lighting, affecting visibility during low-light conditions.
- Several stand-guidance systems out of service, essential for precise aircraft parking.
- Insufficient signage in two remote parking positions, which were cited as contributing factors to two minor wing-tip collisions in December.
ANAC's technical report mandates that GRU Airport address these issues within 60 days. The required corrective actions include repainting pavement markings, restoring the lighting circuit on aprons 3 and 4, and recalibrating all visual docking-guidance systems.
Impact on Airport Operations and Airlines
The slot freeze means that no new domestic or international flight frequencies will be authorized until ANAC officially approves the completion of the remedial work. This effectively caps the airport's traffic at approximately 900 daily movements, which is the current high-season average.
Airlines planning to increase capacity or add new frequencies, particularly on popular routes such as São Paulo–Miami and São Paulo–Lisbon, will need to defer these plans or consider alternative airports like Campinas (VCP) or Viracopos. The restriction is also expected to lead to tighter seat inventory and potential fare increases during peak travel periods, including the Easter and July school holidays.
GRU Airport, while calling the ruling 'disproportionate,' has stated that it is mobilizing contractors to undertake the corrective work. ANAC has also indicated that it will conduct spot audits throughout the remediation period, which could potentially trigger temporary ground-delay programs if inspectors need to access movement areas. Travelers transiting between domestic and international terminals are advised to allow at least a three-hour buffer until the restrictions are lifted.
5 Comments
Muchacha
While it's good to see ANAC taking safety seriously, the immediate impact on travel plans and potential fare increases is a huge concern for many. It's a tough balance between strict regulation and maintaining operational fluidity during peak seasons.
Donatello
Finally, a regulator with teeth. No compromises on air safety.
Leonardo
The identified deficiencies like worn markings and faulty guidance systems are serious and need addressing for passenger safety. However, GRU's claim of a disproportionate ruling has some merit, given the potential economic fallout for airlines and travelers during peak seasons.
Raphael
It's crucial for airports to maintain safety standards, but freezing all new slots seems like a heavy-handed approach that impacts many stakeholders beyond just GRU management. Perhaps a more phased approach could have been considered to mitigate economic fallout.
Donatello
Another example of regulations stifling growth. Unnecessary drama.