São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), officially named São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport, serves as Brazil’s largest aviation hub and one of the most significant airports in Latin America. This bustling airport not only connects Brazil to the world but also functions as a vital economic engine for the region, handling millions of passengers and tons of cargo annually.
GRU History and Development
The history of GRU Airport can be traced back to the late 1940s when Congonhas Airport, São Paulo’s original aviation facility, began experiencing capacity issues. In 1951, the State Secretary of Transportation commissioned a technical team to identify potential locations for a new airport. Although they initially selected the District of Santo Angelo in Mogi das Cruzes, construction did not begin immediately.
The 1960s marked a turning point as Brazil’s industrial growth necessitated improved aviation infrastructure. In response, the Aeronautics Ministry established the Coordinating Committee of International Airport Project (CCPA) to develop guidelines for new airport facilities. After extensive studies, authorities identified the current Guarulhos location, which offered the advantage of combining commercial and military aviation interests.
The new São Paulo International Airport was finally inaugurated on January 20, 1985, replacing Congonhas as the city’s primary international gateway. Over the subsequent decades, the airport underwent numerous expansions to accommodate growing passenger numbers:
- Between 1989 and 2010, runway expansions increased the airport’s capacity from 8.25 million to 26.8 million passengers annually
- In 2012, a significant turning point came when management was transferred from Infraero (the state-run airport authority) to a private consortium called GRU Airport, comprising Invepar S/A, Airports Company South Africa, and Infraero
- Following privatization, the airport was rebranded as “GRU Airport” and underwent substantial modernization and expansion
One of the most notable additions came in May 2014 with the opening of Terminal 3, a modern facility primarily serving international flights. The 192,000-square-meter terminal increased the airport’s capacity by 12 million passengers annually and incorporated state-of-the-art technology comparable to leading global airports.
On November 28, 2001, the airport was officially named after André Franco Montoro, a former Governor of São Paulo state who served from 1983 to 1987.
GRU Quick Facts and Statistics
- IATA/ICAO Codes: GRU/SBGR
- Location: Guarulhos municipality, 25 km northeast of downtown São Paulo
- Area: 13,774,086 square meters (approximately 14 square kilometers)
- Passenger Traffic: 41.3 million passengers in 2023, making it the second busiest airport in Latin America after Mexico City International Airport
- Capacity: Currently handles approximately 31.4 million passengers annually
- Runways:
- Runway 10R/28L: 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) long, 45 meters wide
- Runway 10L/28R: 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) long, 60 meters wide (widened in 2015 to accommodate the Airbus A380)
- Operations: Operates with slot restrictions, handling a maximum of 45 aircraft operations per hour
- Cargo Handling: Brazil’s leading airport for cargo operations, handling approximately 586 million kilograms in 2021
- International Connectivity: Connects 34 countries through more than 720 daily flights operated by 40 national and international airlines
- Management: Operated by a consortium comprising Invepar S/A, Airports Company South Africa, and Infraero since 2012
Terminal Facilities
GRU Airport features three passenger terminals, each with distinct functions and facilities:
Terminal 1 is the airport’s smallest and oldest terminal. After a renumbering in December 2015 (previously Terminal 4), it primarily serves domestic flights, with Azul Airlines as the main operator. The terminal features two wings (A and B) and offers essential services including check-in counters, baggage claim areas, shops, restaurants, and ground transportation access.
Terminal 2 is a larger facility handling both domestic and some international flights, particularly from carriers within South America. Following renovations, it now features expanded check-in areas, improved baggage claim facilities, and enhanced retail and dining options. Its two wings (C and D) connect passengers to their flights via boarding bridges and bus gates.
Terminal 3 is the newest and most modern terminal, opened in May 2014 to handle primarily international flights. The 192,000-square-meter facility features state-of-the-art technology and is modeled after leading Asian and European airports. It is divided into two five-floor buildings: one for passenger processing (check-in, security, passport control, customs) and another serving as a pier with 20 boarding bridges for direct aircraft access.
The terminals are connected by free shuttle buses that operate every 15 minutes, allowing passengers to transfer between buildings.
Throughout the terminals, passengers can access various amenities and services:
- Free Wi-Fi with up to 4 hours of complimentary access
- Extensive duty-free shopping areas
- A diverse range of dining options, from quick-service restaurants to sit-down establishments
- Banking services and ATMs
- Currency exchange facilities
- Pharmacies and medical services
- Children’s play areas
- Baby changing facilities
- Luggage wrapping services
- Post office
- Prayer rooms
- VIP lounges in all terminals
- Sleep pods in Terminal 2 (Fast Sleep)
- Hotel accommodations within the airport complex, including the TRYP by Wyndham inside Terminal 3
For passengers with extended layovers, GRU Airport offers several accommodation options, including an 80-bedroom hotel inside Terminal 3 specifically designed for international passengers in transit, and larger hotels nearby that offer shuttle service to the terminals.
The airport also features Brazil’s largest airport cold storage complex, with approximately 30,000 cubic meters of import and export storage capacity, making it particularly important for pharmaceutical and perishable goods transportation.
Airlines and Destinations
GRU Airport serves as a major hub for several Brazilian carriers:
- LATAM Airlines Brasil (formerly TAM) uses GRU as its primary international hub
- GOL Transportes Aéreos operates significant domestic and regional international services
- Azul Brazilian Airlines maintains a substantial presence, particularly in Terminal 1
In total, approximately 40 airlines operate more than 720 daily flights from GRU Airport, connecting Brazil to 34 countries and all Brazilian state capitals and major cities.
Ground Transportation
GRU Airport offers various transportation options for passengers traveling to and from São Paulo:
Train: The Aeroporto-Guarulhos Station on CPTM Line 13 (Jade) connects the airport to Engenheiro Goulart station, from where passengers can access Line 12 (Sapphira) to reach Tatuapé, Brás, and Luz stations in São Paulo. The line operates from 4 am to midnight Sunday through Friday, and 4 am to 1 am on Saturdays. The station is located opposite Terminal 1, and passengers must use a free shuttle bus to reach Terminals 2 and 3.
Bus Services:
- Airport Bus Service operated by EMTU connects the airport to various points in São Paulo, including major hotels and business districts
- GUARUPASS TRANSURBANO provides transportation to regions within Guarulhos
- LIRABUS offers transfers between Campinas and Guarulhos
- Litorânea provides service to the North Coast of São Paulo state
- Cometa Highway offers transportation to South Coast towns and Sorocaba
Taxi Services: All three terminals have taxi stands operated by Guarucoop, the official airport taxi cooperative that operates 24 hours daily. The journey to downtown São Paulo typically takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions, with fares around R$120-150 (approximately US$20-30).
Ride-Sharing Services: Companies like Uber and 99 operate at GRU, with designated pickup points outside the arrivals areas of each terminal.
Car Rentals: Major international and local car rental companies have counters at the airport, located primarily in Terminal 2’s arrivals area.
Inter-Terminal Transport: Free shuttle buses operate between all terminals approximately every 15 minutes.
Airline Shuttle Services: GOL and LATAM offer shuttle services for their passengers between GRU and Congonhas Airport for connecting flights.
Future Development Plans
GRU Airport continues to evolve with several significant development initiatives planned or underway:
In April 2025, GRU Airport announced plans to invest BRL 1.4 billion (approximately USD 239 million) in infrastructure expansions, scheduled for completion by 2029. These investments include:
- Construction of T3B and T2L passenger piers (BRL 525 million)
- Development of new aprons and taxiways (BRL 274.7 million)
- Technology and security upgrades (BRL 172.8 million)
- Installation of a baggage system connecting Terminals 2 and 3 (BRL 126.5 million)
- Acquisition of advanced 3D X-ray baggage scanning equipment (BRL 278.6 million)
The Brazilian federal government has amended GRU Airport’s concession contract, extending it until November 2033 to facilitate these long-term infrastructure improvements.
For cargo operations, the airport is investing USD 20 million to renovate and expand its air cargo terminal, with construction that began in late 2022. The expansion includes three new warehouses of 40,000 square meters each, increasing the overall cargo covered area to nearly 200,000 square meters.
Transportation infrastructure is also set to improve with a planned people mover system to connect the CPTM train station directly to all three passenger terminals. This 2.6-kilometer monorail project will replace the current shuttle bus service, offering a six-minute journey time and capacity for 2,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The project is estimated to cost approximately BRL 175 million (USD 47.7 million).
By the end of the concession period, GRU Airport expects to have invested approximately BRL 4.5 billion (in 2012 values) to double the airport’s capacity from 30 million to approximately 60 million passengers annually, while also enhancing safety, service quality, and implementing new technologies.
These development projects align with GRU Airport’s strategic vision to strengthen its position as Brazil’s premier international gateway and one of Latin America’s most important aviation hubs, supporting the region’s economic growth and global connectivity.
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