Imagine you're an aviation planner facing the challenge of optimizing flight networks in Brazil's remote southern region. Before you lies data on Santa Vitória do Palmar Airport (CTQ/SSVP) - could this facility become a crucial regional economic link, or does it present risks requiring careful evaluation? This analysis examines the airport's key metrics through a data analyst's lens to inform strategic decisions.
Airport Fundamentals: The Baseline
Santa Vitória do Palmar Airport, alternatively called CTQ Airport, operates under IATA code CTQ and ICAO designation SSVP. Located in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the airport serves a sparsely populated agricultural region near the Uruguayan border.
Geographic Positioning: Strategic Implications
The airport's precise coordinates reveal its operational context:
- Latitude: 33° 30' 8.01" S
- Longitude: 53° 20' 39.00" W
These geospatial markers enable critical analysis when integrated with GIS systems. The location's proximity to regional economic centers, transportation corridors, and competing airports directly impacts its viability as a transportation node.
Analytical Framework: Beyond Surface Data
Five analytical dimensions emerge for comprehensive evaluation:
1. Throughput Patterns: Historical passenger and cargo volumes require examination for growth trends, seasonal fluctuations, and capacity utilization. Such analysis forecasts demand and informs infrastructure investments.
2. Surface Connectivity: The airport's integration with regional road and rail networks significantly influences its utility. Limited ground transportation options diminish accessibility despite favorable aerial positioning.
3. Competitive Landscape: Benchmarking against nearby airports - particularly Pelotas International (PET/SBKP) to the north and Chui's border facilities - reveals opportunities for niche service differentiation.
4. Meteorological Factors: The region's weather patterns, particularly coastal winds and fog frequency, affect operational reliability. Historical climate data informs scheduling and contingency planning.
5. Economic Impact: Quantifying the airport's contribution to local employment, tourism, and agricultural exports strengthens the case for infrastructure development funding.
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Data-driven insights enable targeted interventions. Demonstrated throughput growth might justify terminal expansions, while poor surface connectivity could prioritize road improvements. Competitive analysis may suggest specializing in agricultural cargo or seasonal tourist routes.
The airport's true potential emerges only through rigorous examination of these interdependent factors. For regional planners, such analysis transforms raw data into actionable intelligence for aviation network optimization.