Drone Rules for Manaus International Airport
Critical No-Fly Zone covering Manaus International Airport (SBEG). All unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited within this airspace to eliminate collision risks with scheduled national and international commercial jetliners, massive cargo transports, regional air taxis, and military aviation.
Manaus International Airport – Eduardo Gomes (SBEG), located on Avenida Santos Dumont in the Tarumã district, is the primary aviation hub for the North Region of Brazil and a critical logistical lifeline for the Amazon. Because surface transport options are highly limited in the region, SBEG handles an immense volume of heavy domestic and international cargo flights supporting the Suframa (Manaus Free Trade Zone) industrial complex, alongside high-frequency commercial passenger jets, regional turboprops, and essential aeromedical missions. Furthermore, it shares complex airspace with the adjacent Manaus Air Force Base (BAMN).
The airport is surrounded by expanding urban neighborhoods, major highways, and dense Amazonian environmental reserves. Because arriving and departing aircraft—ranging from small regional single-engine planes to massive transatlantic cargo freighters—execute low-altitude instrument (IFR) and visual (VFR) approaches directly over these sectors, any uncoordinated drone activity introduces an immediate risk of a catastrophic aviation accident. Spontaneous or recreational drone flights within the airfield perimeter, its active traffic patterns, or its urban approach corridors are completely banned under federal law (Brazilian Penal Code, Art. 261).
Sources
Regulatory Authorities: DECEA, ANAC, and the airport's concessionaire (Concessionária dos Aeroportos da Amazônia / VINCI Airports).
Primary Framework: ICA 100-40 (DECEA regulations on Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and Article 261 of the Brazilian Penal Code.
Flight Planning Portal: Operational safety grids, Terminal Control Area (TMA Manaus) parameters, and airspace restrictions are managed via SARPAS NG and Aisweb.