Rivera Airport in Uruguay Becomes First Binational in Latin America, Ready to Welcome Domestic Flights from Brazil

In a significant development, Rivera Airport (RVY), Uruguay, was officially declared a binational complex on August 14th, following the agreement reached in January 2023 between presidents Luis Lacalle Pou and Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva. This allows airlines, both Brazilian and Uruguayan, to carry out domestic operations simultaneously, enhancing the trade flow between both countries.

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In this manner, the airport will primarily function as a hub for domestic operations of Brazilian companies.

This agreement ensures a seamless experience for Brazilian passengers arriving at the airport. Upon landing, they can enter Brazil without any hassle. If these passengers intend to enter Uruguayan territory, they would then initiate the necessary immigration procedures.

Rivera is 500 kilometers north of Montevideo, on the border between Uruguay and Brazil, separated from Santana do Livramento by just a street, granting a unique dynamic to the region.

Both cities form a binational metropolitan area of around 200,000 inhabitants.

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An airline interested in landing in Rivera

Reports indicate that a major airline has expressed interest in operating flights between Porto Alegre and Rivera. Azul has a fleet that includes ATR 72 and Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft based in Porto Alegre. Passaredo is also reportedly interested.

It’s important to note that the last time commercial flights operated at the Rivera Airport was in December 2013, when BQB Líneas Aéreas ceased flying due to insufficient demand. At that time, the airport used to offer flights to Montevideo, Porto Alegre, and Florianópolis.

Currently, the airport is undergoing comprehensive modernization. The renovation project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, in line with its inclusion in the National System of International Airports under the management of the Uruguayan subsidiary of Corporación América Airports, which will invest USD 12 million in renovating the runway and office spaces.

This move also aligns with Uruguay’s strategy to promote international connections and open itself to the global stage. Additionally, this operational improvement is expected to boost development and employment opportunities in the northern region of Uruguay.

You can observe the progress of the works at Rivera airport in this video: