Senador Nilo Coelho Airport (SBPL)
Medium airport · Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
Airport data
| Name | Senador Nilo Coelho Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SBPL |
| IATA | PNZ |
| Elevation | 1,263 ft (385 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 9°21'45" W 40°34'9" -9.36242, -40.56910 |
| Location | Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/31 | 9,055 ft (2760 m) | 148 ft | ASP | No |
Senador Nilo Coelho Airport at a glance
Senador Nilo Coelho Airport is a medium airport in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil, known to airline systems as PNZ. The field elevation of 1,263 ft (385 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SBPL are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 13/31, offers 9,055 ft (2760 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 13 points roughly 130° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SBPL shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Senador Nilo Coelho Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Paulo Afonso Airport | SBUF | 254 km (137 NM) |
| João Durval Carneiro Airport | SDIY | 364 km (197 NM) |
| Aracaju - Santa Maria Airport | SBAR | 423 km (228 NM) |
| Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport | SBSV | 464 km (251 NM) |
| Quixadá Airport | SNQX | 518 km (280 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Senador Nilo Coelho Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,263 ft field elevation of Senador Nilo Coelho Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 138 airports and airfields we list for Brazil — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Senador Nilo Coelho Airport
What is the ICAO code of Senador Nilo Coelho Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Senador Nilo Coelho Airport is SBPL, and its IATA code is PNZ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Senador Nilo Coelho Airport above sea level?
Senador Nilo Coelho Airport sits at an elevation of 1,263 feet (385 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Senador Nilo Coelho Airport located?
The airport lies at -9.3624, -40.5691 — in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Paulo Afonso Airport, about 254 km away.
Does SBPL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SBPL appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Senador Nilo Coelho Airport?
Senador Nilo Coelho Airport has one runway. The longest, 13/31, measures 9,055 ft (2760 m) with a ASP surface.