Technical Fault Shuts São Paulo Airspace, Flights Resume With Delays

Overview

• Following Thursday's technical failure at São Paulo's regional air‑traffic control center, authorities halted takeoffs and landings across the Terminal São Paulo airspace that covers Congonhas, Guarulhos, Viracopos and Campo de Marte.
• Controllers briefly evacuated the control building at Congonhas after smoke was detected outside, and the Air Force’s DECEA opened an inquiry into the cause.
• Anac counted 53 flights affected and about 7,500 passengers, and some planes diverted to Rio’s Galeão and other airports.
• Flights resumed with heavy delays, and Congonhas kept operating until midnight Thursday to clear the backlog under mitigation steps coordinated with airlines.
• Official timelines differ, with Aena citing an 8:58–10:09 stop and the Air Force reporting 9:30–10:06, and both stress that aircraft were sequenced to maintain safety.