Operations at São Paulo’s centrally located Congonhas Airport (CGH) returned to near-normal levels on Saturday, 30 November, following two days of heavy rain that wiped out more than 115 flights and stranded hundreds of passengers. Airport concessionaire Aena Brasil reported that only three arrivals were cancelled on Saturday, all due to knock-on effects at other airports rather than local conditions.
The disruption started on Thursday evening when torrential downpours reduced runway friction below minimums and forced a string of go-arounds. Airlines cancelled 72 rotations on Thursday and a further 43 on Friday, bussing some passengers 85 km to Viracopos (VCP) for re-accommodation. Business travellers complained of scant information and overnight stays in the terminal, highlighting CGH’s limited airside hotel capacity.
![São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport back on schedule after 100+ weather-related cancellations]()
For corporates, the timing was awkward: November’s end-of-month closing typically triggers a spike in last-minute day trips between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for finance and legal teams. Several firms told local media they reverted to virtual sign-offs or chartered helicopters to meet filing deadlines.
Aena said it will accelerate installation of the new Instrument Landing System CAT III—currently scheduled for commissioning in March 2026—which would allow operations in lower-visibility conditions. The concessionaire is also reviewing its crisis-communications plan after passengers criticised inconsistent updates across airline apps, the airport website and social media.
Mobility managers should note that summer thunderstorms are common in São Paulo from December through February. Experts recommend booking flexible fares or keeping a buffer night when mission-critical meetings depend on CGH operations, especially as the airport’s single runway limits recovery options once backlogs build.
The disruption started on Thursday evening when torrential downpours reduced runway friction below minimums and forced a string of go-arounds. Airlines cancelled 72 rotations on Thursday and a further 43 on Friday, bussing some passengers 85 km to Viracopos (VCP) for re-accommodation. Business travellers complained of scant information and overnight stays in the terminal, highlighting CGH’s limited airside hotel capacity.
For corporates, the timing was awkward: November’s end-of-month closing typically triggers a spike in last-minute day trips between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for finance and legal teams. Several firms told local media they reverted to virtual sign-offs or chartered helicopters to meet filing deadlines.
Aena said it will accelerate installation of the new Instrument Landing System CAT III—currently scheduled for commissioning in March 2026—which would allow operations in lower-visibility conditions. The concessionaire is also reviewing its crisis-communications plan after passengers criticised inconsistent updates across airline apps, the airport website and social media.
Mobility managers should note that summer thunderstorms are common in São Paulo from December through February. Experts recommend booking flexible fares or keeping a buffer night when mission-critical meetings depend on CGH operations, especially as the airport’s single runway limits recovery options once backlogs build.
