Drone sightings cause chaos at São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport
The night of Wednesday, June 11, 2025, was chaotic at São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil’s largest and South America's second-busiest, after it was shut down for takeoffs and landings due to drones flying in the area.
Operations were disrupted starting at 9:27 p.m. (local time), when GOL flight 2127 reported the presence of at least one drone near the approach ramp to runway 10R, close to the Ayrton Senna Highway. The drone reportedly passed to the right of the Boeing 737, seemingly attempting to film landing aircraft.
Following the incident, airport operator GRU Airport suspended all landings. No other aircraft was able to land, as confirmed by audio recordings of communications between air traffic controllers and pilots.
Flight tracking platforms, including AirNav Radar and FlightRadar24, indicated that at least 28 flights were diverted until 10:40 p.m., mostly from LATAM and GOL, rerouted to alternate airports in Campinas, Curitiba, Confins, Galeão, and Ribeirão Preto, according to reporting by partner outlet AEROIN in Brazil.
At 10:45 p.m., takeoffs were also suspended after another drone was spotted near runways 28L and 28R, on the opposite side of the initial approach. LATAM flight 3690, aligned on runway 10L for departure to Londrina, was denied clearance for takeoff.
At 10:59 p.m., the Águia 12 helicopter (Airbus H125 Esquilo, registration PS-GER) from the São Paulo Military Police arrived to patrol the area, search for drones, and locate the responsible parties.
The airport finally reopened at 11:18 p.m., nearly two hours after the initial disruption. LATAM flight 8037 from Santiago, Chile, was the first to land, followed by the takeoff of LATAM 3690 to Londrina.
However, at 11:30 p.m., departures were once again suspended due to another drone sighting near the American Airlines hangars, though operations resumed ten minutes later.
In a statement, LATAM Airlines confirmed that over 20 flights were affected by the temporary suspension due to drone activity. “The company strongly condemns and regrets the situation, which was entirely beyond its control, and reiterates that the safety of passengers and employees is its top priority,” the airline said. “LATAM is providing all necessary assistance to affected passengers, in accordance with ANAC Resolution 400.”
AUTOR
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline. Base: ROS Origen: RES
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