Mário de Almeida Franco Airport

Overview

Aeroporto de Uberaba – Mario de Almeida Franco is the domestic airport serving Uberaba, a major city in the Triângulo Mineiro region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It primarily handles regional flights connecting Uberaba to other Brazilian cities, including São Paulo and Belo Horizonte. The airport is named after Mario de Almeida Franco, a local aviation pioneer, and plays a key role in supporting the region’s agribusiness and livestock industries. Business travellers, tourists attending events like Expozebu (the world’s largest Zebu cattle fair), and locals use the airport for efficient access to this important economic hub.

Location & Access

Uberaba Airport is located approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) from downtown Uberaba, making it quick and easy to reach. The airport sits on Avenida George Washington, the main thoroughfare connecting the city centre to the airport. By car, the journey takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Taxis and ride-sharing services (such as Uber and 99) are available at the terminal. There is no direct public bus service to the airport, but local shuttle services and hotel transfers can be arranged in advance. For those driving, the airport offers parking facilities, including a wheelchair-accessible car park.

The airport serves as a gateway to the Triângulo Mineiro, a fertile agricultural region bordered by the Grande and Paranaíba rivers. Nearby cities include Uberlândia (about 2 hours by road), Araxá, and Frutal. For international travellers, the most common connection is through São Paulo–Guarulhos or Belo Horizonte–Confins airports.

Facilities

Aeroporto de Uberaba provides a compact but functional set of passenger facilities. The terminal is small but accessible: there is a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible toilets, and a wheelchair-accessible car park, making it easy for passengers with reduced mobility to navigate. Baggage storage is available for those needing to store luggage temporarily. The airport also offers standard toilets with a changing table for families with infants.

While the airport does not feature extensive dining or shopping options, there are basic amenities such as a snack bar and small convenience shop inside the terminal. Wi-Fi is not listed as a confirmed amenity, so passengers should plan accordingly. The airport operates on a fixed schedule (see Practical Information) and is not open 24 hours a day.

About the Region

Uberaba is known as the ‘capital of the zebu’ – a breed of cattle originally from India that thrives in Brazil’s tropical climate. The city hosts Expozebu, the world’s largest zebu cattle fair, which draws thousands of visitors from across Brazil and abroad. The region is also a major producer of soy, corn, and sugarcane, and has a strong agribusiness sector.

Geographically, Uberaba lies on the Brazilian Highlands at an altitude of about 800 metres (2,600 feet), giving it a pleasant tropical climate with mild winters and warm summers. The city is a centre for veterinary medicine and animal genetics, with the renowned Embrapa research center located nearby. Tourists also visit the Serra da Canastra National Park (about 200 km away) for hiking and waterfalls, or the hot springs of Araxá (about 90 km away).

Practical Information

• Address: Aeroporto de Uberaba – Mario de Almeida Franco, Avenida George Washington, s/n, Bairro Aeroporto, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
• Phone: +55 34 3319-9400
• Website: http://www.aenabrasil.com.br/
• Operating Hours: The airport is not open 24 hours. It operates daily but with limited hours; it is advisable to check with the airport or your airline for current opening and closing times. Peak passenger traffic occurs around 3 pm and 4 pm.
• Parking: There is an on-site car park with accessible spaces.

Passengers arriving by car should note that the airport is close to the city centre, and taxis are readily available. For flight information or specific queries, contact the airport directly via the phone number or website.