The federal government's budget for this year includes R$ 104 million allocated to start the construction of an airport in Olímpia, a city 436 km from São Paulo, which has become a tourist attraction in the interior of the state. The ambitious idea aims for the airport to become international. One of the reasons for political efforts around Olímpia is the ongoing project in the National Congress regulating gambling in Brazil. The city, known for water parks and hotels, is being considered for the installation of a casino. The municipality is seeking at least US$40 million for the project.
The allocation of US$ 22 million for the works resulted from the efforts of local politicians, particularly with the Budget rapporteur, federal deputy Luiz Carlos Motta (PL), who is from Ribeirão Preto but has political influence in São José do Rio Preto. Olímpia, located between these two cities, currently has a population of 55,075, according to the latest data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
If Olímpia succeeds in establishing an international airport, it will surpass Ribeirão Preto, which has been seeking the internationalization of Leite Lopes Airport for over a decade, with promises of receiving international flights from 2025. São José do Rio Preto already has Professor Eribelto Manoel Reino Airport.
Airport becomes a political dispute in an election year
Politicians in Olímpia are vying for the "paternity" of the airport construction. Former federal deputy Geninho Zuliani (Union), who is expected to run for mayor of Olímpia this year, made it public that he met with Luiz Carlos Motta, Baleia Rossi (MDB), and Tourism Minister Celso Sabino.
"In addition to facilitating the arrival of tourists from Brazil and even other countries, the airport will enhance the economy as a whole, not only by generating jobs but also by helping in the trade balance through the export of products by the region's industries," said Zuliani, who was mayor of the city from 2009 to 2016. "Olímpia earned the nickname 'Brazilian Orlando' not by chance. And I will also work for the approval of casinos in the country," he added.
The current mayor is Fernando Cunha (PSD), a rival of Zuliani, who also sought support to secure funding for the city around the airport project. Last July, he met to discuss the matter with Alexandre Padilha (PT), Minister of Institutional Relations. "Our gratitude to all who contributed to this achievement, which, more than making Olímpia a national and Latin American destination, will provide the entire northern region of São Paulo with a structuring logistical factor for the development of the region," said Cunha upon learning of the approval of US$ 22 million for the airport in the budget.
Cunha completes his second term as mayor of Olímpia this year. For succession, he supports the local Santa Casa provider, Luiz Alberto Zaccarelli, who has already been a councilor in the city.
Former secretary of Cunha's administration, Councilor Sargento Tarcísio, also wants his merits recognized regarding the funding for the airport. With good connections to the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), Tarcísio negotiated and sought the grant for the airport.
Now, he will try to reap the rewards of his efforts and emerges as a third option in the race for the mayor of Olímpia. "While others tried unsuccessfully, with incredible determination, I obtained the grant for the airport and now, with great determination and dedication, we secured this investment of R$ 100 million that will transform Olímpia's history. Together, we will build an even more promising future for our city and region," he said on his social media.
Source: Estadão Column / Roseann Kennedy
