Paraná infrastructure and Afonso Pena Airport face regulatory and operational hurdles

Infrastructure and aviation developments in Paraná are facing different operational and regulatory challenges. Environmental licensing through the Instituto Água e Terra (IAT) is a critical requirement for major projects, including the Guaratuba Bridge, the expansion of Afonso Pena International Airport, and the duplication of the PR-445 highway. These processes involve strict environmental controls and mitigation measures, such as the relocation of wildlife or addressing archaeological findings.

Simultaneously, Afonso Pena International Airport has experienced significant service disruptions. Data from AirHelp indicates that between June and August 2026, approximately 22,300 passengers were affected by flight cancellations, while another 8,000 passengers faced delays of two hours or more. Despite an increase in the absolute number of affected travelers, the proportion of affected passengers relative to total air traffic decreased slightly compared to the previous year, as overall passenger volume in Brazil grew by approximately 25.2%.