Congonhas Airport turns 89 this Saturday (12) with many reasons to celebrate. The airport in the city of São Paulo, beloved by the people of São Paulo, is the second busiest in the country and the most important and strategic for the national air network. The terminal has been under the management of Aena since October 2023. The largest airport operator in Brazil and the world, the concessionaire has already started work on the major transformation that the airport will undergo in the coming years.
Aena is investing R$2,4 billion to increasingly improve the enger experience and operational efficiency.
“Congonhas is a symbol of national aviation. Its impact goes far beyond air transport: it drives the economy, generates jobs and connects millions of Brazilians. Celebrating its 89th anniversary is recognizing its history and looking to the future with a focus on innovation and excellence,” says Santiago Yus, CEO of Aena Brasil.
A true icon of São Paulo, located in the heart of the capital, Congonhas is also a driving force of the economy of São Paulo. Around 10% of the national GDP is generated within a 15 km radius of its surroundings. The airport also employs over 7.000 people and has around 100 shops and restaurants.
The airport operates around 540 daily commercial flights, connecting 45 Brazilian destinations. It is also the main hub for executive aviation in the country. More than 23 million engers through Congonhas each year – around 63 every day.
The superlative numbers don't stop there. Every month, engers using the terminal make more than 180 calls for ride-hailing vehicles and another 25 taxi rides. Approximately 51,5 cars through the parking lot every 30 days.
The airport also plays a key role in the healthcare sector. Every day, several organs for transplants through Congonhas to save lives across the country. Aeromedical aircraft carrying patients seeking treatment in the capital of São Paulo are always a priority and receive special attention.
Executives on business trips, artists in transit, university professors, families on vacation and many other types of people through Congonhas every day, bringing a variety of Brazilian and foreign accents. The airport is a reflection of the cultural richness and diversity that make São Paulo the most dynamic city in the country.
The thousands of engers who use its infrastructure every day are already beginning to feel the transformation of the airport. Changes to the boarding area for ride-hailing cars and the creation of a waiting area for drivers have reduced traffic on the lower floor by around 50% and on the ground floor by 30%.
From a commercial perspective, the new features bring comfort and sophistication: 75 customers use the VIP lounges every month. At the beginning of the year, the terminal began to have one of the largest lounges for domestic flights in the country, with more than 1.000 m². A new lounge of the same size is under construction and should open its doors in the coming months.
To provide greater convenience to s and speed up the boarding process, the X-ray area has been expanded, from 11 to 16 inspection channels. The first fully renovated bathrooms have already been delivered and the air conditioning system is in the final stages of updating. In the coming months, the remote boarding lounge will double in size and the main lounge will be expanded. A new pick-up area for ride-hailing cars on the top floor of the garage building will be inaugurated by the end of the year.
Congonhas is also becoming more sustainable. Ten electric buses for enger transportation operate in the internal area, providing comfort with zero emissions. All energy consumed now comes from renewable sources and a new waste recycling program has been implemented. Aena encourages the operation of modern aircraft, which generate less noise and emissions.
Safety is another key factor for Congonhas Airport. With constant improvements, the airfield is one of the safest in the country. Since 2021, the runway has had a special pavement covered with a porous friction layer (A). Three centimeters thick and with a perforated structure, the A is a modern coating that allows liquids to drain more quickly and efficiently, preventing the accumulation and formation of sheets of water on the asphalt surface.
In March 2022, the only EMAS in Latin America was inaugurated at the aerodrome, installed at both ends of the runway. The Engineered Materials Arrestor System (EMAS) allows aircraft to quickly decelerate if they leave the braking point, without causing damage to the aircraft or engers. The EMAS was installed by creating escape areas at the end of the runway, which did not exist until then. There are 72 meters at threshold 17R (near Avenida dos Bandeirantes) and 64 meters at threshold 35E (near the Jabaquara neighborhood).
Combining comfort, technology, innovation and safety, Congonhas Airport is preparing for even greater growth. By June 2028, Aena's investments will enable the construction of a new terminal, more than double its current size, from 40 m² to 105 m². engers will have access to expanded spaces, comfort and new commercial offerings, in more than 22 m² dedicated to stores and restaurants, capable of elevating the traveler experience to the standard that the city of São Paulo deserves. In addition, 19 new boarding bridges, an increase from 30 to 37 stopping points and improved aircraft circulation, with 215 m² of new pavement, will provide greater accessibility, punctuality and convenience in accessing aircraft.
