Drone Rules for Afonso Pena International Airport
Critical No-Fly Zone covering Afonso Pena International Airport (SBCT). All unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited within this airspace to eliminate collision risks with heavy domestic and international commercial jets. Only exceptional operations with explicit DECEA clearance via SARPAS NG are permitted.
Afonso Pena International Airport (SBCT), located in São José dos Pinhais and serving the Greater Curitiba area, is the main aviation hub for the state of Paraná. It handles an intensive flow of domestic passenger routes, long-haul international flights, and heavy logistical cargo aircraft.
Because the region frequently faces complex weather patterns like heavy fog, aircraft heavily rely on instrument-guided, low-altitude visual and electronic glide paths during their approaches and departures. Uncoordinated drone operations within these primary corridors or near the airfield perimeter pose a catastrophic threat to flight safety. Consequently, spontaneous or recreational drone flights in these zones are completely banned under federal law (Brazilian Penal Code, Art. 261).
Regulatory Authorities: DECEA, ANAC, and CCR Aeroportos.
Primary Framework: ICA 100-40 (DECEA) and Article 261 of the Brazilian Penal Code.
Flight Planning Portal: Operational safety grids and mandatory geofencing zones are managed via SARPAS NG and Aisweb.