Galeão International Airport is Rio de Janeiro's primary international airport, covering 1,788.2 hectares on Governador Island. Originally serving as a naval aviation base, the site evolved into a major aviation hub that handles millions of travellers each year. Today, it stands as the largest airport site in terms of area in Brazil, serving as a critical entry point for visitors traveling to the city.
Passenger operations are organized across two elliptical terminal buildings, featuring jetways and extended pier facilities designed to accommodate large aircraft. Since November 2016, all passenger check-in and baggage claim procedures take place exclusively in Terminal 2. From there, you will proceed directly through security to access the boarding gates across the airport complex.
Jointly managed by concessionaires RioGaleão and AENA, the facility shares space with the Galeão Air Force Base. Continuous infrastructure upgrades have added extensive apron space, expanded car parking, and modern maintenance facilities. Following shifting flight restrictions at neighboring Santos Dumont Airport, Galeão has reclaimed a central role for airlines operating domestic and long-haul international routes.
01 Terminals & concourses
Opened in 1977, this elliptical terminal features jetways for passenger flights. Its check-in and baggage claim areas are currently inactive, so boarding gates are accessed via Terminal 2.
Opened in 1999, this terminal handles all active passenger check-in and baggage claim operations. It connects travellers directly to boarding gates across the entire airport complex.
Airport map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the whole airport — terminals, concourses, access roads and the parking garages. Zoom in for gate-level detail.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official gate/terminal maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
Lost, delayed or damaged baggage at GIG
If your checked bag doesn't turn up on the belt, act before you leave the baggage-claim area — that's where every airline keeps its Baggage Service Office.
- Go to your airline's Baggage Service Office in the baggage-claim hall of your arrival terminal.
- File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and get your file reference (WorldTracer) number. Keep your bag-tag receipt and boarding pass.
- Track it online using that reference on your airline's baggage-tracking page — most bags are located within 24–48 hours.
- Claim your essentials. On delayed bags airlines reimburse reasonable interim purchases (toiletries, clothing) — keep receipts. International trips are covered by the Montreal Convention.
- If it's truly lost (generally after 21 days) or damaged, file the claim at the same office — damage must be reported before you leave the airport.
Left something in the terminal (not a checked bag)? That's handled by the airport Lost & Found. Items left at a TSA security checkpoint are held by the TSA, not the airline.
