Santa Catarina Considers Chinese Aircraft to Expand Regional Air Connectivity in Southern Brazil
The Government of Santa Catarina Considers Adding Chinese Aircraft to Regional Aviation Network, Focusing on Short-Haul, Low-Cost Routes as Part of a Statewide Connectivity Strategy
The government of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil, is evaluating the use of Chinese-made aircraft to enhance regional air connectivity.
The initiative was discussed during an official visit by Governor Jorginho Mello to China, where the state delegation toured the headquarters of Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, a subsidiary of the state-owned AVIC and one of China's largest aircraft manufacturers. The aircraft under review has a 19-passenger capacity and can be converted into a cargo plane in just 30 minutes.
According to Beto Martins, Secretary of Ports, Airports and Railways (SPAF), two private-sector regional aviation projects have already been submitted to the state government. One of them involves the Chinese aircraft and focuses on short-haul routes. The proposal is currently undergoing technical analysis by SPAF. “We are now moving into deeper discussions on the feasibility of each proposal,” Martins said. He was part of the official delegation in China, as reported by AEROIN, our media partner in Brazil.
Although the government did not specify the exact model, indications point to the Y-12F, a versatile turboprop aircraft seating 19 passengers and known for its ability to convert quickly into a freighter. The Y-12F is not yet certified by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) but is already in operation in several countries, especially in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
The Harbin visit marked the first stop of the Santa Catarina delegation’s Asia mission. In the coming months, representatives from the Chinese manufacturer are expected to visit Brazil to advance negotiations. The initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to enhance multimodal logistics, with a focus on regional air transport and rail infrastructure.
To move the project forward, Governor Mello has ordered the formation of a Regional Aviation Working Group composed of representatives from SPAF, the State Departments of Finance and Planning, InvestSC, and the State Attorney General’s Office. This team will develop an action plan to structure regional aviation in Santa Catarina, connecting several of the state’s 24 airports to a central hub in Florianópolis.
According to Cirium data obtained by Aviacionline, only five airports in Santa Catarina currently receive regular commercial flights: Florianópolis (FLN), Jaguaruna (JJG), Chapecó (XAP), Navegantes (NVT), and Joinville (JOI).
The project aims to introduce new modes of air transportation tailored to the logistical needs of municipalities with limited connectivity. The use of small, low-cost, and operationally flexible aircraft is considered strategic to link remote areas with the state capital and regional economic hubs.
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline. Base: ROS Origen: RES
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