Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport
Facts on GIG
GIG doesn't spell out 'Rio' because the airport takes its code from Galeão, the neighborhood and beach where it was built — Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach) is named for a galleon ship, the Padre Eterno, that was built there in 1663.
Source: Wikipedia - Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport
The airport's official name grew in 1999 to 'Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport,' honoring the bossa nova composer, who name-checked the airport in his song 'Samba do Avião.'
Source: Wikipedia - Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport
Galeão opened to commercial traffic on 1 February 1952 and, covering 1,788.2 hectares, is the largest airport site by area in Brazil.
Source: Wikipedia - Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport