Coari (Urucu)

Given that Porto Urucu Airport (RPU) is a private departmental facility of the Petrobras company and is located within a restricted oil and gas field area, there is no standard tourist information service here. Interaction takes place primarily through corporate channels.

• Official Website: The airport does not have its own website. All official information is under the management of the operating company, Petrobras.
• Operational Phone: +55 (92) 3616-6561 or +55 (92) 3616-6400. Please note: these numbers are for operational questions and technical flight coordination (AISWEB/Petrobras); there is no 24-hour tourist information service available on them.
• Airport Address: Aeroporto de Porto Urucu (SBUY), Província Petrolífera de Urucu, Coari — AM, Brasil.
• Email: There is no public e-mail for external enquiries; communication is conducted via the company's internal channels.
• Social Media: There are no separate accounts for the airport.
• Lost Luggage and Support: All issues regarding luggage and passenger service are resolved exclusively through the employer's logistics department (Petrobras) or representatives of the charter airline operating the flight.

Planning a route to Urucu Airport (RPU) differs fundamentally from a trip to any standard civil airport. Since the air harbour is located in a restricted territory of an oil and gas province deep in the Amazon jungle, usual methods of travel are not applicable here. Access is possible exclusively by air or water, provided you have the appropriate permits.

Below are the logistics details for those interested in the transport system arrangement in this remote corner of the Coari municipality.

Public Transport (Buses, Trains, Metro)

Due to the complete isolation of the Urucu province from Brazil's road network, ground public transport to the airport is completely absent. No roads or railways lead to the terminal from major settlements.

The only conditional analogue of public transport can be considered river connections along the tributaries of the Amazon; however, these deliver passengers not to the airport itself, but to the Porto Urucu river port, from where further internal transport is arranged. There are no regular commercial scheduled trips for tourists.

Taxi and Transfer

There are no classic taxi services (Uber, city carriers) within the province. Transport service is organised as follows:

• Corporate Transfer: All movements between the runway, residential blocks for rotational staff, and production facilities are carried out on service buses or off-road vehicles owned by Petrobras.
• Helicopter Transfer: Helicopters are often used to access drilling rigs that are most distant from the airport.

Car Rental

There are no car rental points at Urucu Airport. Even if rental were possible, there would be nowhere to use the car other than the limited network of internal technological roads, access to which is strictly regulated by security services.

Airport Parking

The parking zone is intended exclusively for special machinery, service buses, and emergency service vehicles. Paid parking services for private individuals are not provided, as private transport is not admitted to the territory.

Approximate Travel Time and Logistics

Since it is impossible to reach the airport by land, travel time is calculated from the nearest major hubs:

• By plane from Manaus: A direct charter flight takes about 1 hour. This is the fastest way to reach the facility.
• By plane from Coari City (CIZ airport): A flight on a small aircraft takes about 30–40 minutes.
• By river transport: The journey by speedboat from the city of Coari to the port of Urucu can take from 4 to 6 hours, while barges with cargo travel along the winding rivers for several days.

Cost of Various Transport Options

For Urucu Airport, the concept of "ticket price" is not applicable in the traditional sense:

• All flights are charter or departmental. Logistics costs are fully covered by the employer company.
• Tickets are not released for general sale, so it is impossible to book a seat via aggregators.

Features and Recommendations

If your trip is related to professional activity in this region, consider the following important points:

1. Strict Pass System: Access to board an aircraft flying to Urucu is possible only with a pre-issued pass and inclusion in the passenger lists by the logistics service.

2. Medical Control: Due to the remoteness of the facility and the specific nature of work in the jungle, confirmation of vaccination (particularly against yellow fever) and passing a medical examination are often required before departure.

3. Luggage: Strict luggage weight restrictions apply on flights to Urucu, often more stringent than on ordinary commercial lines, due to the use of smaller aircraft.

The terminal complex of Porto Urucu Airport (RPU) is designed exclusively based on the functional needs of the oil and gas industry. Unlike civil airports, you will not find confusing corridors or multiple levels here. The infrastructure is maximally compact, logical, and tailored for the rapid processing of rotational shifts and cargo.

Number of Terminals and Their Purpose

The airport has one small passenger terminal. This is a single-storey building serving simultaneously as the departure and arrival hall. The terminal services exclusively domestic corporate flights (charters from Manaus and Coari) and air ambulance flights.

Since the airport is not a hub for transit passengers, transfers between terminals do not exist. All processes take place within a single structure, eliminating the need for shuttles or travelators.

Airport Map and Service Zones

The layout of the building is extremely simple and intuitive; it is impossible to get lost here. The internal space is zoned as follows:

• Check-in and Screening Zone: Located immediately at the entrance. Here you will find counters for document checks (company passes) and baggage weight control.
• Waiting Hall (Departure Zone): A spacious room with seating, equipped with a powerful air conditioning system, which is critically important in the equatorial climate of the Amazon. Screens demonstrating safety briefings are often installed in this zone.
• Arrival Zone: The sector where passengers enter immediately after disembarking from the aircraft stairs. Baggage claim here follows a simplified scheme: cargo is often unloaded directly onto the area in front of the terminal or into a specially designated room, from where it is collected by employees or logistics services.

Terminal Features

The main characteristic of the Urucu terminal is utility and austerity. There are no Duty Free shops, souvenir stalls, or restaurants here. Infrastructure is limited to the bare essentials:

• Sanitary facilities and drinking water points.
• A medical point for emergency situations and pre-flight examination.
• Information boards with the schedule of rotational buses and helicopter transfers.

Processing Times

Despite its compactness, control procedures at Urucu Airport are distinguished by strictness comparable to international aviation security standards, supplemented by corporate requirements.

• Check-in and Screening: It is recommended to arrive at the terminal no later than 1 hour before departure. Verification includes not only luggage scanning but also checking personnel lists. Special attention is paid to prohibited items (alcohol, weapons, and flammable substances are strictly forbidden in the province).
• Boarding: Carried out on foot: passengers exit the terminal building and walk to the aircraft across the apron accompanied by security staff.

Navigation Recommendations

For a passenger arriving in Urucu for the first time, navigation will not be difficult. The main rule is to follow the instructions of ground coordinators. Upon arrival, the flow of people is immediately directed to waiting corporate transport (buses or SUVs), which distributes specialists to residential modules or production sites. Independent movement across the apron is strictly prohibited.

The history of Urucu Airport (RPU) is a unique chronicle of man's conquest of nature for the sake of industrial development. Unlike most air harbours in the world, which emerged to connect cities, this airport appeared on the map solely due to the discovery of rich natural resources in the depths of the Amazon.

Inception and Opening

The history of the airport is inextricably linked to 1986, when geologists from Petrobras discovered huge reserves of oil and natural gas in the Solimões River basin. The area where the discovery was made was in complete isolation: impassable jungles and swamps stretched for hundreds of kilometres around. Building roads in such conditions was impossible and ecologically risky.

To deliver equipment and the first shift of specialists, a landing strip was urgently organised. Initially, it was a dirt strip cleared in the middle of the forest, capable of receiving only light aircraft and helicopters. The official start of the airport's operation can be considered the late 1980s, when commercial exploitation of the Urucu field began.

Stages of Development and Modernisation

The development of the air harbour proceeded in parallel with the growth of hydrocarbon extraction. The airport evolved from a temporary site to a full-fledged transport hub:

• 1990s: With the increase in production volumes, a need arose for the regular rotation of hundreds of employees. The dirt strip was replaced with a full asphalt surface, which allowed for the reception of heavier turboprop aircraft such as the ATR-42 and Embraer Brasília.
• 2000s: Large-scale modernisation of navigation equipment was carried out. Given the complex weather conditions of the Amazon (frequent downpours and fog), the installation of modern approach systems and lighting equipment became critically important for flight safety.
• Terminal Construction: A permanent passenger terminal was erected, equipped with air conditioning systems to ensure the comfort of rotational workers awaiting departure in the equatorial heat.

Records and Achievements

Despite the fact that Urucu Airport is private and closed to the general public, it boasts impressive statistics:

• Traffic: During certain periods of active field development, Urucu Airport ranked 3rd or 4th in the state of Amazonas in terms of take-offs and landings, second only to Manaus International Airport and major regional centres.
• Logistical Feat: The construction and maintenance of the runway (1,320 metres) in this region is considered an engineering achievement. All construction materials, including heavy machinery and asphalt, had to be delivered by river on barges, which took weeks of travel.

Interesting Facts from History

The existence of Urucu Airport is accompanied by a number of curious features that distinguish it from others:

Firstly, it is one of the few airports in the world that is effectively located on an "island" in the jungle. It is not connected by road to any settlement in Brazil, not even to the administrative centre of the municipality of Coari. Its entire history is a history of autonomous existence.

Secondly, the airport played a key role in preserving the ecology of the region. Thanks to the air bridge, the need to cut multi-kilometre clearings through the jungle for highways was eliminated, which allowed the unique ecosystem of the Amazon to be preserved almost intact around the production facilities.

Today, Porto Urucu Airport continues to be a symbol of technical progress, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the region's energy heart and the safety of thousands of people working far from civilization.

The infrastructure and service at Porto Urucu Airport (RPU) differ radically from what travellers are accustomed to seeing in civil aviation hubs. Since the airport is a departmental facility serving exclusively rotational staff and specialists of the oil and gas industry, there is no commercial component here. All service is subordinated to one goal — ensuring safety and basic comfort for employees before a flight or immediately after it.

Restaurants, Cafés, and Shops

The terminal lacks the usual cafés, restaurants, coffee shops, or Duty Free stores. You will not find souvenir stalls or newsstands here.

• Catering: Employee catering is organised centrally in residential complexes (campuses) within the province, not in the terminal building. Only water coolers may be available in the waiting area.
• Shopping: It is impossible to purchase food or goods for the road directly at the airport. Passengers must have everything they need with them in advance.

Lounges and VIP Service

There is no division into business classes or VIP zones at Urucu Airport. All passengers, from ordinary engineers to senior management, wait for departure in a common hall.

• Comfort: The main convenience of the waiting hall is a powerful air conditioning system, providing relief from the equatorial heat and humidity. The hall is equipped with standard rows of seats.
• Entertainment: Televisions are often installed in the hall, broadcasting news or corporate safety briefings.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Access to the internet and mobile communication on the airport territory is strictly regulated by Petrobras security policy.

• Wi-Fi: The wireless network is generally a closed corporate intranet system. Access to the public internet for personal devices may be limited or completely absent.
• Charging Stations: The waiting hall provides a sufficient number of sockets for charging work laptops and mobile phones, as maintaining communication is a work priority.

Financial Services

There are no ATMs, currency exchange points, or bank branches in the terminal. Since cash is practically not used within the production facility (the company takes care of all provisions), there is no need for financial infrastructure here.

Medical Services

This is perhaps the only area where the level of service exceeds many civil airports. Due to the remoteness of the facility and industrial risks, medical provision is given priority attention.

• Medical Point: Qualified medical personnel are on duty in the immediate vicinity of the terminal or inside it.
• Emergency Aid: The airport is fully equipped for urgent medical evacuation (air ambulance) to Manaus in case of injuries or sudden illness.

Services for Passengers with Children

Urucu Airport is not intended for family travel. People arrive here exclusively for work purposes. Mother and child rooms, play areas, or changing tables are absent in the terminal.

Accessible Environment

Despite its utilitarian nature, the airport meets basic accessibility standards. Since boarding is carried out from the apron (without airbridges), ground service staff provide necessary assistance during boarding and disembarking for passengers with reduced mobility, if required (for example, during medical transport).

Accommodation: Hotels

There are no commercial hotels (Booking, Hilton, etc.) in the airport itself or near it. Accommodation for arriving personnel is provided in specialised residential modules (alojamentos) located on the production base territory.

• Conditions: Residential blocks are hotel-type dormitories with air conditioning, canteens, and recreation zones.
• Access: Allocation of places occurs strictly according to the employer company's lists.

Business Services

There are no special conference halls directly in the terminal building. All business meetings, briefings, and conferences are held in the administrative buildings of the field, which are equipped with all necessary equipment for presentations and video conferencing.

The dining situation at Coari (Urucu) Airport (RPU) differs fundamentally from the usual standards of civil aviation. It is important for passengers planning a departure or arrival in this remote corner of the Amazon to know in advance: there are absolutely no commercial food outlets in the terminal. You will not find cafés, restaurants, fast food, or even vending machines with snacks here.

Restaurants and Cafés: The Reality of a Departmental Airport

Since the airport serves exclusively oil and gas industry employees and is located in a restricted area, the concept of a "pre-flight snack" is not implemented here commercially. The terminal building performs a transit function, and infrastructure is limited to the waiting hall. It is impossible to buy food in either the airside or landside zones.

Drinking Water

The only thing passengers can count on inside the terminal is access to drinking water. Water coolers or fountains are usually installed in the waiting hall. Given the hot and humid climate of the region, it is strongly recommended to carry an empty reusable bottle to fill with water before boarding the plane.

Recommendations for Dining Before Departure

Since food cannot be bought at the airport, dining logistics are structured as follows:

• For Departing Passengers: A full lunch or breakfast should be planned before leaving for the airport. Employee dining is organised in canteens (industrial restaurants) within the residential complexes at the field. The menu there usually consists of a buffet with Brazilian cuisine (rice, beans, meat, salads), but access is restricted to authorised employees at strictly allocated times.
• For Arriving Passengers: Upon arrival, passengers are immediately distributed to transport and taken to their places of residence or work, where their first meal will be organised.

Advice for Vegetarians and People with Special Diets

Due to the absence of shops and cafés, passengers with strict dietary restrictions (vegans, gluten-free diet, halal) or specific needs must bring food with them. Do not count on being able to purchase something suitable on-site.

What to Bring: "Strategic Reserve"

To avoid discomfort during the wait for a flight (which can be prolonged due to weather conditions) or the flight itself, we recommend packing the following in your hand luggage in advance:

• Energy bars, nuts, or dried fruits.
• Crackers or biscuits.
• Fruits (convenient to eat without utensils, such as apples or bananas).

Remember that all supplies must be brought with you from Manaus or taken from the residential block, as there is simply nowhere to spend money at Urucu Airport — the average bill here is zero.

Travelling through Coari (Urucu) Airport is a non-standard experience even for a seasoned tourist. Since RPU (Urucu) is a private corporate airport serving an oil and gas province in the depths of the Amazon, the rules of the game here are dictated not by an airline, but by the specifics of working at an industrial facility and the harsh conditions of the jungle. Below are tips to help make your business trip or technical visit as smooth as possible.

Arrival Time Recommendations

Unlike civil airports where passengers plan their arrival time themselves, logistics in Urucu are strictly centralised.

• Follow the Coordinator's Schedule: The departure time from the residential block (when flying out) or arrival at the terminal in Manaus (when flying "in") is appointed by the logistics department. Being late is unacceptable: the plane will not wait, and the next flight might only be in several days.
• Time Buffer: Even if the terminal seems empty to you, arrive at the meeting point exactly at the specified time. Document checks and briefings take more time than standard check-in.

Registration and Security Features

Control procedures here resemble entry to a secure facility, which is essentially what the airport is.

• Documents: Always keep your ID and, most importantly, your corporate badge (crachá) or visit permit at hand. Boarding is impossible without them.
• Medical Documents: You may be asked to present a vaccination certificate (specifically for yellow fever) and work authorisation (ASO), as the region is an epidemiologically active tropical zone.
• Dress Code: Often, adherence to clothing rules is required to board an aircraft flying to the field: closed shoes and long trousers. Shorts and flip-flops may be grounds for refusal of carriage.

What Can and Cannot Be Carried in Hand Luggage

The list of prohibited items here is broader than in ordinary aviation due to safety rules at oil and gas facilities.

• Strict Alcohol Ban: A "dry law" is in effect throughout the Urucu province. Any alcoholic beverages in luggage or hand luggage will be confiscated, and the violator may face disciplinary action.
• Medicines: If you take specific prescription drugs, be sure to carry a doctor's prescription to avoid questions from security.
• Electronics: Laptops and phones are allowed, but be prepared to present them for inspection. Power banks (external batteries) must be in hand luggage only, as on regular flights.

Tips for Choosing a Seat on the Plane

Usually, there is no advance online seat selection on charter flights to Urucu; seating may be free or determined by the aircraft's load.

• Window Views: If you have the opportunity, take a window seat (preferably not over the wing). Flying over the endless green "sea" of the Amazon jungle and winding rivers is the main visual impression of the trip. The views here are truly breathtaking.
• Noise: Flights are often operated on turboprop aircraft. If you are sensitive to noise, choose seats in the rear of the cabin (away from the propellers) or use noise-cancelling headphones.

Customs and "Corporate" Control Features

There is no international customs here, as all flights are domestic. However, there is strict entry control to the field territory.

• Personal Belongings Inspection: Be prepared for your luggage to be searched for prohibited substances, weapons, or alcohol. This is a standard security procedure.
• Bio-control: The import of plants, seeds, or animals may be restricted to preserve the ecosystem of the protected zone surrounding the airport.

Recommendations for Transfer Passengers

Urucu Airport is a final destination, a dead-end route. Connections occur mainly at Manaus or Coari airports.

• Allow Large Intervals: If you have a scheduled flight home on a regular airline from Manaus after returning from a shift, leave a time buffer of at least 4–6 hours. Weather conditions in the jungle (sudden downpours, fog) often delay departures from Urucu.

Tips for Saving Time and Money

• Money is Not Needed: There is nowhere to spend money in the airport itself. Saving happens automatically.
• Pack a Snack: To avoid hunger during a flight delay, bring snacks (nuts, bars) with you. This will save your nerves, as it is impossible to buy food on-site.
• Luggage Organisation: Use soft bags instead of hard suitcases. They are easier to stow in the small luggage compartments of regional aircraft and are less likely to be damaged during loading.

What to Do in Case of Flight Delay

Flight delays and cancellations due to weather conditions are a frequent occurrence in the Amazon.

• Stay Calm: Arguing with staff is useless — pilots will not take the machine into the air until they receive the "go-ahead" from the meteorological service. Safety is paramount here.
• Stay in the Air-Conditioned Zone: Do not go outside unnecessarily; the humid heat is quickly exhausting.
• Keep in Touch with the Coordinator: In case of flight cancellation, it is the company's logistics coordinator, not an airline representative, who will resolve the issue of your overnight accommodation in a residential module and meals.