VINCI Airports adds seven Brazilian gateways to global network

VINCI Airports has won the 30-year concession to operate and develop seven airports in the north of Brazil – Manaus, Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Boa Vista, Cruzeiro do Sul, Tabatinga and Téfé.

Considered the gateways to the Amazon region and neighbouring Brazilian states, the airports welcomed 4.7 million passengers between them in 2019, the bulk of them at Manaus, which handled three million visitors.

According to VINCI Airports, all seven are essential for opening up a vast region that covers more than 3.8 million square kilometres.

In addition to ensuring the operations, maintenance and modernisation of terminals and runways, VINCI Airports has agreed to transform the airports into “eco-efficient infrastructures”.

This is VINCI Airports terminology for having a net-zero emissions goal, which includes a commitment to opening photovoltaic farms, improved waste and water management,  the establishment of biodiversity laboratories, and carbon sinks projects with local NGOs.

To do this, VINCI Airports says that it will build on the successful environmental policy it has been successfully implementing since 2018 at Salvador Bahia airport in North East Brazil.

The global airport operator also intends to support Brazil’s post-pandemic economic recovery, by developing the passenger traffic and the cargo activity at Manaus, the third largest cargo airport in Brazil.

Pillar of the economic and community development of the Amazon region, Manaus plays a key role in the country’s economy, in particular for the high growth electronics industry.

The new additions mean that VINCI’s global network now extends to 52 airports across the world, including 16 in four Latin American countries –  Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

“Our roadmap is clear: green airports for green growth,” enthused Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports.

“In this remote region where air transport is essential, VINCI Airports will make these airports more resilient, and eco-efficient, in order to sustain economic recovery in Brazil, while preserving the planet.

“We are eager to start operations, together with Brazilian authorities and local communities.”

VINCI Airports’ successful bid followed a call for tenders initiated by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, ANAC.