Pedro Vieira Moreira Airport

Aeroporto Regional de Cajazeiras - Pedro Vieira Moreira (IATA: SJZA, ICAO: SNZA) sits 6 kilometres from downtown Cajazeiras, a city of roughly 60,000 people in western Paraíba. Opened 12 years ago, the airport claims the second-longest runway in the state at 1,600 metres, with a PCN of 26 that can theoretically handle larger aircraft. Currently, Azul Linhas Aéreas operates direct flights to Recife using a Cessna Grand Caravan, giving the sertão interior a scheduled air link to the coast. The terminal is compact and functional, reflecting the scale of current demand.

Getting There

The airport is located along PB-391, a paved road that connects to the centre of Cajazeiras in about 10 minutes by car. Taxis are available for the trip, and ride-sharing services operate in the city. Buses do not run directly to the terminal, so private transport is the only option. From neighbouring cities, expect longer drives: Patos is about 1 hour 45 minutes (130 km) east, Juazeiro do Norte in Ceará is roughly 70 km north-west (1 hour by car), and Sousa is 40 km east (35 minutes). For those flying from São Paulo or other distant cities, consider flying into Juazeiro do Norte (a larger airport with more frequencies) and driving the remaining distance — tickets to Cajazeiras from São Paulo often exceed 2,500 reais, even when booked four months in advance. The alternative of driving from Juazeiro do Norte can save significant money and offer more flight options.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal building is single-storey and straightforward. Passengers check in at a small counter near the entrance. Security screening is basic and quick — show up 30 minutes before departure for a domestic flight and you will have time to spare. The waiting area offers limited seating and no airside shops or restaurants. A toilet is available before security, and the facility is wheelchair-accessible, with designated parking and an accessible entrance. The boarding process is simple: walk across the tarmac to the aircraft. For arrivals, baggage arrives on a small carousel. The terminal lacks air conditioning in some areas, so bring water. The atmosphere is unhurried; staff are known to be accommodating. The airport closes at night and does not operate 24 hours, so plan accordingly if your flight is delayed.

Aeroporto Regional de Cajazeiras - Pedro Vieira Moreira and Cajazeiras

Cajazeiras occupies a spot in the semi-arid sertão of Paraíba, near the border with Ceará. The city’s economy centres on agriculture (cotton, beans, corn), small-scale commerce, and education — it hosts campuses of the Federal Institute of Paraíba (IFPB) and the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), drawing students from across the region. Historically, Cajazeiras is known as the birthplace of Father Rolim, a priest who played a role in the colonial era, and it retains a quiet, traditional character. The main square, Praça do Padre Rolim, features a church and a market where locals sell regional produce. Nearby attractions include the Açude de Cajazeiras, a reservoir that provides some green space, and the Serra do Armado, a hill with views of the surrounding plains. But many visitors use Cajazeiras as a base to explore the larger attractions of the region: Juazeiro do Norte’s religious tourism linked to Padre Cícero, the dinosaur footprints in Sousa (Vale dos Dinossauros), and the Engenho Triunfo, a historic sugar mill. The airport itself is a point of pride — its 1,600-metre runway and night lighting (PAPI soon to be approved) make it the most robust airstrip in the Paraíba hinterland. However, passenger traffic remains low, and ticket prices from São Paulo are notoriously high. The contrast with Recife flights is stark: a short hop to the state capital costs about 400-600 reais one-way, making it a practical connection for locals. The airport’s future depends on growing demand; for now, it serves a niche but important role in linking the sertão to the coast.

Practical Information

The airport is open only during flight times, typically around scheduled Azul departures and arrivals. Confirmed hours are not posted, so check with the airline or call +55 83 99378-3671. The official website (https://aisweb.decea.mil.br/?i=aerodromos&codigo=SJZA) provides technical data but no passenger information. For booking issues — notably, attempting to buy tickets to Patos may produce an error — use Azul’s main reservation system or contact them directly. Note that there is no luggage storage or 24-hour access. If you have a long layover or flight cancellation, plan to head into Cajazeiras (6 km away) for food and accommodation. The busiest times, based on flight schedules, tend to be Monday at 4 pm, Tuesday at 9 am, Wednesday at 9 pm, and Thursday at 11 am — these correspond to Azul’s Recife rotations. One concrete tip: for better rates and flexibility on longer journeys, fly into Juazeiro do Norte instead, then drive the 70 km to Cajazeiras. The time saved on the ground compensates for the higher cost and hassle of direct tickets.