History
Originally called Ibura Airport, the airport had its name changed to Guararapes Airport in 1948. The facility has its origins in the time of World War II when an airport was built to replace the earlier airfield Parque do Encanta Moça. With the end of the War, the facility acquired a strategic importance as technical and refueling stop in the route from South America to Europe.
On 18 January 1958 a new passenger terminal, replacing the original facility, was inaugurated. During this time, runway 14/32 was extended from 1,800m to 2,010m, and runway 18/36 was extended from 1,800m to 2,400m.
In 1979 an agreement with Infraero was made in order to further develop the airport complex. The passenger terminal underwent its first major renovation in 1982 and another enlargement in 1990.
In 2004 a brand new passenger terminal was built in which to a transportation facility was added a shopping mall, thus generating more traffic and revenue. Furthermore, a new parking facility was opened in 2002 and capacity of the airport was raised from 1.5 to 5 million passengers/year.
On 31 August 2009 Infraero unveiled a BRL8.75 million (USD4.6 million; EUR3.2 million) investiment plan to up-grade Guararapes International Airport focusing on the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup which will be held in Brazil, Recife being one of the venue cities. The investment was used on the conclusion of the passenger terminal renovation with installation of further 8 jetways. The work was completed on 1 July 2011 and the airport is now considered ready for the FIFA Cup.
The Brazilian Integrated Air Traffic Control and Air Defense Center section 3 (Cindacta III) is located in the vicinity of the airport.
Read more about this topic: Recife Airport
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