The Porto Alegre Salgado Filho International Airport, located in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is the largest airport in the southern region of Brazil. The airport is named after the former Brazilian aviation pioneer, Major Mário de Oliveira Salgado Filho. Major Salgado Filho was the first Brazilian military aviator and was responsible for the development of Brazilian military aviation. He is credited with establishing the first military aviation school in Brazil.

The airport began operations in 1950 with a single runway. In 1954, a 2nd runway was constructed, and in 1956, the facilities were renovated and expanded to include a new terminal building. The airport was then renamed from Porto Alegre Airport to Porto Alegre Salgado Filho International Airport. The name was chosen to honor Major Salgado Filho’s contributions to aviation in Brazil.

The airport’s three letter code, POA, is derived from the Porto Alegre. The code was assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Today, the Porto Alegre Salgado Filho International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Brazil. It has over 1,500 flights operating each day and serves as a hub for several major airlines, including LATAM Airlines, Gol Airlines, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and Avianca Brazil.

The airport also serves as a major cargo hub and is home to the largest cargo terminal in South America. It has a total of three cargo terminals, which can handle over 60,000 tons of cargo each year. The airport also has a wide range of shops and restaurants, as well as several lounges for passengers.

The Porto Alegre Salgado Filho International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Brazil and an important hub for air travel in the region. It is named after the pioneering aviator Major Mário de Oliveira Salgado Filho, and its airport code, POA, was assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airport has over 1,500 flights operating each day and is served by several major airlines. It has three cargo terminals and a wide range of shops and restaurants.