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| Sao Paulo, Brazil |
Background:
Most major cities have an airport, but never are they built five miles from the city middle, in metropolises like Sao Paulo. Congonhas' close propinquity to downtown can be attributed in part to the fact that it was done in 1936, with the city experiencing fast development in the following decades.
Why It is Matchless:
While having an airport only five miles from the city middle could be a convenience for commuters, it places a strain on both pilots & air traffic control crews. "It becomes a challenge in terms of safety to get the plane in there," Schreckengast says. "Then you throw on noise restrictions & these terribly awkward arrival & departure routes that are needed to minimize your noise-print & it becomes challenging for pilots." Fortunately, Sao Paulo's lots of high-rise buildings are far away from the airport that they are not an immediate hindrance for pilots landing or taking off.
