Santos Dumont Airport (SBRJ)
Large airport · Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Airport data
| Name | Santos Dumont Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SBRJ |
| IATA | SDU |
| Elevation | 11 ft (3 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 22°54'37" W 43°9'46" -22.91040, -43.16282 |
| Location | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02L/20R | 4,134 ft (1260 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 02R/20L | 4,341 ft (1323 m) | 138 ft | ASP | Yes |
Santos Dumont Airport at a glance
Santos Dumont Airport is a large airport in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known to airline systems as SDU. The field elevation of 11 ft (3 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SBRJ are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 02R/20L — offers 4,341 ft (1323 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02R points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SBRJ 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 Santos Dumont Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport | SBGL | 14 km (8 NM) |
| Jacarepaguá - Roberto Marinho Airport | SBJR | 23 km (12 NM) |
| Campo Délio Jardim de Mattos Airport | SBAF | 23 km (12 NM) |
| Santa Cruz Air Force Base | SBSC | 57 km (31 NM) |
| Umberto Modiano Airport | SSBZ | 124 km (67 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Santos Dumont Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 11 ft field elevation of Santos Dumont 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 Santos Dumont Airport
What is the ICAO code of Santos Dumont Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Santos Dumont Airport is SBRJ, and its IATA code is SDU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Santos Dumont Airport above sea level?
Santos Dumont Airport sits at an elevation of 11 feet (3 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Santos Dumont Airport located?
The airport lies at -22.9104, -43.1628 — in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport, about 14 km away.
Does SBRJ publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SBRJ 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 Santos Dumont Airport?
Santos Dumont Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 02R/20L, measures 4,341 ft (1323 m) with a ASP surface.