Maraba Airport

João Correa da Rocha Airport (Maraba Airport) is the main air gateway serving the city of Marabá and the southeastern region of the Brazilian state of Pará. Opened in 1978, today it serves as a vital transport hub for both business travellers and tourists exploring the wonders of the Amazon. The airport plays a key role in the logistics of the region, known for its mining industry and agriculture, ensuring reliable connections with the largest cities in Brazil.

Features and Advantages of the Airport

Since 2022, Maraba Airport has been managed by AENA, one of the world's largest airport operators, which contributes to its modernisation and the improvement of passenger service quality. The airport is equipped with a 2,000-metre runway and is capable of accommodating medium-haul aircraft. Despite its compact size, the terminal offers all necessary basic services for a comfortable wait, including rest areas and small cafés.

The main advantage of the airport is its strategic location, which makes Marabá accessible from major centres such as Belém, Brasília, and Belo Horizonte. It is a small but functional airport that effectively fulfils its task of providing air connectivity in a dynamically developing region of Brazil.

Below is the main contact information for the airport in the city of Marabá, which is managed by Infraero.

• Official Website: www.infraero.gov.br/aeroportos/aeroporto-de-maraba-joao-correa-da-rocha (information available in Portuguese).
• Information Desk Phone: +55 (94) 3324-1358 (for calls from outside Brazil) or (94) 3324-1358 (for domestic calls).
• Address: Rodovia Transamazônica, BR-230, km 5, Marabá, PA, CEP: 68508-900, Brazil.
• Email: A specific email for general passenger inquiries is not published. It is recommended to use the phone or forms on the operator's official website for communication.
• Social Media: The airport does not have its own social media pages. General information can be found on the Infraero operator accounts.
• Lost & Found: For all matters regarding lost or damaged luggage, please contact the representative of the airline you flew with directly.
• Passenger Support Service: For enquiries and assistance at the airport, please contact the main information desk number.

Getting to Maraba Airport (MAB) from the city centre is quite simple, as it is located just a few kilometres from the main districts. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose one of several convenient ways to move around this city in Brazil.

Taxis and Transfers. This is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the airport. The journey from the centre of Marabá will take just 10–15 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The estimated cost of the trip is 20–35 Brazilian Reals (BRL). You can use official taxi services or book a car via popular apps in the country, such as Uber or 99. This is an excellent option if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with family.

Public Transport. For budget-conscious travellers, city buses are the best choice. This is the cheapest way to get to the terminal — the ticket price is usually around 4–5 BRL. Routes and schedules may change, so it is recommended to check current information on the spot — at bus stops or with locals. Please note that travelling by bus may not be very convenient with bulky luggage and will take a little more time.

Car Rental and Parking. If you plan to actively explore the region, renting a car will be the ideal solution. Several rental company offices operate in the city. Maraba Airport provides parking for both short-term and long-term stays, which is convenient for those arriving in their own vehicle. It is recommended to arrive with a little time to spare to calmly find a spot and walk to the terminal.

Maraba Airport (MAB) is a compact and functional aviation hub serving domestic flights. Its structure is simple and intuitive, making navigation for passengers extremely easy.

The airport consists of one passenger terminal, which unites all service zones under one roof. You will not have to worry about transfers between terminals, as all processes — from check-in to boarding — take place in one building. This is particularly convenient for passengers travelling with children or a large amount of luggage.

The terminal layout is logical. Upon entry, you find yourself in the general hall where airline check-in counters are located. After receiving your boarding pass and dropping off luggage, you proceed to the security screening area. Beyond that lies a small waiting hall with boarding gates. The arrivals area is also located in this same terminal and includes a baggage claim belt and an exit to the main hall, where you can meet arrivals or use taxi services.

Due to the small size of the airport, completing all formalities usually does not take much time. For check-in and screening before a domestic flight, 30-40 minutes is usually sufficient during quiet times. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 1.5-2 hours before departure to avoid rushing in case of increased passenger flow. Navigation through the terminal presents no difficulties: all zones are clearly marked with signs, and staff are always ready to assist.

The history of Marabá Airport, officially known as João Correa da Rocha Airport, is inextricably linked to key stages in the development of the southeastern region of the state of Pará in Brazil. Although the first airstrips in this area appeared as early as the 1930s, the modern airport complex was built by the Brazilian Air Force and officially opened on 20 May 1978.

Initially, the airport performed an important strategic function, serving as a support base for military operations in the 1970s. However, it gained world fame and colossal traffic in the 1980s during the famous "gold rush" at the Serra Pelada mine. During that period, the airport became one of the busiest in the world in terms of take-offs and landings, daily servicing hundreds of small aircraft transporting prospectors, equipment, and gold. This chaotic but vital air bridge went down in the history of the Amazon's development.

Since 1980, the management of the airport passed to the state company Infraero, which marked the beginning of its development as an important civil facility. Due to the growing economic importance of Marabá as a centre of the mining and metallurgical industry, significant modernisation was carried out in 2010, and a new, more spacious and modern passenger terminal was opened. This allowed for increased capacity and significantly improved the level of comfort for passengers.

Today, Maraba Airport is not just a transport hub, but a living witness to the region's turbulent history. It continues to play a key role in economic life, serving as an air gateway for business and tourism, and symbolises both the legacy of an adventurous past and the dynamics of modern industrial development.

Maraba Airport (MAB) is a regional aviation hub that provides passengers with all necessary services for a comfortable wait for their flight. Despite its compact dimensions, the terminal is well-organised and offers amenities for both tourists and business travellers.

Within the airport, you will find several cafés and snack bars where you can have coffee, grab a sandwich, or try local pastries. There are also small shops selling travel goods, souvenirs, and press. The selection is not as large as in major metropolises, but sufficient to satisfy basic needs before departure.

For comfortable waiting, general halls with seating are provided. Passengers can use Wi-Fi access to stay connected, as well as find counters and sockets for charging mobile devices. Information regarding the availability and conditions of access to premium lounges or VIP zones should be checked in advance with your airline representatives, as such services may be limited.

ATMs for cash withdrawal are installed in the terminal. Currency exchange points may also be available, but it is worth checking their operating hours in advance. In case of feeling unwell or needing medical assistance, a first aid post operates at the airport.

The airport is equipped for the needs of passengers with reduced mobility: there are ramps and specially adapted restrooms. Families travelling with small children can use the mother and child room, where you can feed and change your baby in a quiet environment.

Although there are no hotels directly on the airport grounds, the city of Marabá, located a few minutes' drive away, offers a wide selection of accommodation options. Specialised conference halls or business centres are absent at the airport, as it is primarily oriented towards serving passenger flights.

Maraba Airport (MAB), being a regional hub, offers travellers basic but convenient options for a snack or lunch. Most catering establishments are concentrated in the main passenger terminal, offering both quick snacks and more substantial meals for those with time before departure.

The majority of cafés and snack bars are located in the public area before security control (landside). Here you will find typical Brazilian `lanchonetes` (snack bars) where you can drink coffee, fresh juice, and try various `salgados` — popular local pastries such as `coxinha` (teardrop-shaped chicken croquettes) or `pão de queijo` (cheese buns). This is the best place for a full lunch: some establishments offer `prato feito` — a set meal consisting of rice, beans, salad, and meat or fish.

After passing through screening, in the departure zone (airside), the selection is usually more limited. Typically, a small kiosk or café operates here, where you can buy beverages, packaged sandwiches, crisps, and chocolate. If you plan to have a substantial meal, it is strongly recommended to do so before passing security control.

When travelling through Brazil, it is worth paying attention to local gastronomic specialities. At Marabá Airport, you can sometimes find authentic `açaí` — a thick berry paste served unsweetened with cassava flour, which is very different from popular dessert smoothie bowls. For vegetarians, combinations of rice with beans and salad are always available, and pão de queijo is an excellent gluten-free option, as it is made from tapioca flour.

Prices at the airport are expectedly higher than in the city but remain at a moderate level for airports of this type. The opening hours of most establishments are tied to the flight schedule: they open in the morning and work until the departure of the last evening aircraft. Night flights are not always serviced, so it is better to check information on the spot or have a snack in advance.

To ensure your journey through the airport of Marabá city goes smoothly and without unnecessary stress, use these useful tips. Maraba Airport (MAB) is an important regional hub, so navigating it usually does not cause difficulties, but preparation is never amiss.

Arrival Time and Check-in. For domestic flights within Brazil, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. This time is enough to calmly drop off luggage, pass security control, and find your boarding gate. To save time, use online check-in on your airline's website — this will allow you to avoid queues at the counters.

Seat Selection on the Plane. Do you want to enjoy the views during the flight? Choose a window seat. If the ability to stand up and leave freely without disturbing neighbours is more important to you, your choice is an aisle seat. For quicker disembarkation upon arrival, try to book seats in the front part of the cabin.

Hand Luggage Rules. Pay attention to standard restrictions for hand luggage. All liquids (perfumes, gels, creams) must be in containers of no more than 100 ml and packed in a single transparent bag. Sharp and cutting objects, such as knives and scissors, are prohibited in the cabin. Power banks can be taken in hand luggage but must not be checked in.

Transfer Passengers. If you have a connecting flight in Marabá, check with the airline whether you need to collect and re-check your luggage. The airport is small, so navigating between boarding gates will not take much time, but always leave a sufficient buffer of time between flights.

Saving Time and Money. To save money, take an empty water bottle with you and fill it after passing security control. You can also bring light snacks — this is cheaper than buying them at the airport. Download films or music in advance so as not to spend time and money on entertainment during the flight.

What to Do in Case of Flight Delay? In the event of a delay or cancellation of a flight, contact your airline representative immediately. Find out about your rights: depending on the duration of the wait, you may be provided with drinks, meals, or even hotel accommodation. Keep all receipts for unforeseen expenses to request compensation later.