A ceremony took place at the Porto Velho Airport, attended by minister of Ports and Airports of Brazil, Silvio Costa Filho, the national aviation secretary, Thomé França, and local authorities.
This massive works plan was part of VINCI Airports’ commitment when it acquired the Amazon airports in 2021. With a total investment of R$1.4bn, the works covered the airports of Manaus, Tefé, Tabatinga, Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Rio Branco and Cruzeiro do Sul, with the aim of improving safety, accessibility, comfort and operational efficiency. The improvements provide a better experience for passengers and boost local economic development by strengthening air connections between the Amazon and the rest of Brazil and the world.
Julio Ribas, VINCI Airports CEO in Brazil, said: “We have concluded this important phase with the commitment to transform these airports into safer, more efficient and more comfortable environments, meeting the growing demand of passengers. We will continue to invest and work to attract new flights, boosting local economic development and strengthening the Amazon’s connection with the rest of the country and the world.”
In addition to delivering structural improvements and ensuring operational safety, VINCI Airports has carried out strategic work to increase connectivity and, consequently, increase passenger traffic in the seven terminals. Eleven new destinations were made available, eight of them domestic and three international.
The improvements
At Porto Velho International Airport, the venue for the inauguration ceremony, the works included expanding the passenger terminal, modernising the runway, and installing new refrigeration and accessibility systems. These improvements significantly increased the airport’s operational capacity, enabling it to handle domestic and international flights with greater efficiency and comfort.
New facilities such as elevators and escalators were installed, ensuring easier and safer ac-cess for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility. The restoration of the landing and take-off runway, which meets the highest safety standards, was also an important focus of the interventions, ensuring safer and more reliable operations.
Manaus Airport, the main airport in the region, underwent a series of modernisation work aimed at increasing operational capacity and improving the passenger experience. The works included the renovation of the departure and arrival lounges, modernisation of the baggage conveyor belts, installation of new refrigeration systems, and replacement of the lighting with LED technology stand out. In addition, an automated domestic boarding system was implemented, and the international boarding flow was revamped, offering greater comfort and agility.
Environmental implications
Sustainability was a priority, with the creation of a Sustainability Complex, including a new power substation and an advanced effluent treatment system.
At Tefé and Tabatinga, improvements focused on safety and sustainability. Both received a new solar-powered nighttime lighting system, using autonomous LED lights to ensure safe operations under an unprecedented sandbox procedure in partnership with the civil aviation, ANAC, which aims to serve as proof of concept of such innovative solution in Brazil and allow regulation to advance accordingly. In addition, renovations were made to the boarding and disembarking areas, revisions to the waste treatment plants and improvements to accessibility.
Boa Vista
The modernisation and expansion works at Boa Vista Airport began in April 2023 and were completed in October 2024, resolving runway limitations and improving infrastructure to meet growing passenger demand.
The main improvements include the expansion of the boarding lounge, the arrivals hall, the baggage claim area and the food court, which has been completely modernised.
The new area, which at 375m2 is more than twice the size of its predecessor, features new public restrooms, including facilities for families and people with disabilities (PWDs), inspection areas for agencies such as Anvisa and Vigiagro, passport control, customs, and baggage claim belts. In addition, 12 new check-in counters with automated belts were in-stalled, providing greater operational security and preventing damage to bags. The baggage carousels are larger, offering greater comfort to passengers.
Rio Branco and Cruzeiro do Sul
At Rio Branco Airport, the modernisation works resulted in a more functional terminal, with significant improvements to the infrastructure, restrooms and boarding area. The modernisation of the landing and take-off runway brought greater safety and efficiency to operations, ensuring that the airport is prepared to meet the growing demand for passengers and cargo, VINCI said.
In Cruzeiro do Sul, the interventions focused on accessibility and security, with improvements to the terminal and runway infrastructure. The renovations included the installation of new signage, adapted restrooms and more comfortable boarding and disembarking areas.
