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| Location Lat 5° 54' 41S 35° 14' 52W Natal Airfield is located at an elevation of 169' to the east of Parnamirim in Rio Grande do Norte in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Natal is located roughly 11 miles to the north. Also known as Parnamirim Airport. On November 24, 1951 renamed Augusto Severo International Airport. Today still in use as Natal Air Force Base (Natal AFB). Construction Built prewar as Natal Airport. Also known as Parnamirim Airport. Prewar Used by Air France as part of their air mail route for aircraft and flying boats flying from French Guiana eastward via Natal Airfield then across the Atlantic Ocean to Dakar Airfield in French West Africa (Senegal). Also, used by Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) and Panair do Brasil flying boats. During 1940 and 1941 Linee Aeree Transcontinentali Italiane (LATI) operated a weekly Savoia-Marchetti tri-motors for flight from Rome via Natal Airfield to Rio de Janeiro. By early December 1941, these flights ceased due to covert efforts of British spies in South America. World War II After the United States entered World War II, Natal Airport became an important link in the ferry route for U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft flying the "Africa Route" from the United States via South America and across the Atlantic Ocean to west Africa. During World War II, Natal Airfield was used by the Brazilian Air Force, U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) and continued commercial flights. The airfield, maintenance and security was provided by the U.S. Army in the South Atlantic (USAFSA) until the end of World War II. Postwar Natal Airfield remained in use as a military and civilian airport. On November 24, 1951 renamed Augusto Severo Airport in honor of Brazilian aviator Augusto Severo de Albuquerque Maranhão (1864–1902). During the late 1970s, major renovations were completed. On March 31, 1980 the Ministry of Aeronautics transfered ownership to Infraero. Today During 2000, the final passenger terminal was completed with four jet bridges and could handle 1.5 million passengers a year. Around 2009 in preparation for Brazil hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup construction began for a new airport that would become Greater Natal International Airport opened in 2014. Natal Airport remained in use until early June 2014 when the Greater Natal International Airport opened as the new airport serving the Natal area. By May 31, 2014 all domestic flights moved to the new airport followed by all international flights a few days later. Today, the Augusto Severo International Airport is only used by the military as Natal Air Force Base. Airport codes: IATA: NAT (formally), ICAO: SBNT. The airport is a dual military and civilian airport and an airport of entry with three runways. The first oriented 30/12 measures 5988' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. The second runway is oriented 34L/16R measures 5,905' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. The third oriented 34R/16L measures 8,531' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. Contribute
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