On the 17th, Aena Brasil will celebrate 1 year of managing Congonhas Airport, the second busiest air terminal in the country. During this period, the concessionaire has already implemented a series of improvements, with priority given to operational efficiency and enhanced flight safety.
Aena's efforts have already been recognized by national and international organizations. With investments in the area of safety, the airfield in the capital of São Paulo was the first in Brazil to receive an A grade, the highest possible, from ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) in the Operational Capacity Certificate (ACOP) in Emergency Response (REA). In seven months of management, Congonhas went from a C grade to an A, achieving 96,1% compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring greater safety for all engers.
The various interventions in the operational area have brought multiple benefits to engers and airlines. Aena took over Congonhas with a flight punctuality rate of around 65%. In the first year of Aena's management, Congonhas has already been elected for two consecutive months by the Cirium consultancy firm as the most punctual airport in the world in the Large Airports category, with a punctuality rate of over 86%. Another indicator that is also quite noticeable to engers is the occurrence of gate changes, which has been reduced to less than half of what was practiced before Aena took over.
Investments in mobility have also improved comfort for those arriving at or departing from Congonhas Airport. Opened in July, the new parking lot and the new boarding area for ride-hailing cars have become much more efficient and better organized local traffic. In addition to greater convenience, the changes have significantly reduced enger waiting times and traffic on the airport's internal roads.
enger comfort has also been improved by offering more food and shopping options at the terminal. In one year, more than ten commercial outlets have already opened at Congonhas Airport, improving the enger experience by providing new and varied options.
To further improve boarding comfort, work is underway to create a new 3.000 m² area, including a marketplace and two large VIP lounges, expanding the options for engers while they wait to board their flight. In addition, work will begin this October to expand the remote boarding lounge, which will provide twice the area for engers. Also in October, work will begin to renovate all of the terminal's bathrooms, increasing comfort and availability for all engers.
Aena has also already started work to adapt the air conditioning system, which includes replacing old equipment that was over 60 years old and had a historical lack of maintenance.
Regarding acoustics, actions are underway with airlines to standardize and streamline communication at boarding gates, ed by the implementation of a new public address system and call automation. The implementation of a flight information communication system via WhatsApp is also in the proof-of-concept process, which will also help to make the boarding process more efficient, reducing the need for last-minute calls.
Aena took over Congonhas Airport with several complex and historical problems, stemming from years of lack of investment and maintenance. In addition to the changes that are more visible to engers, Aena made improvements to systems and operational areas. Repaving the taxiways solved recurring problems with sinking that put aircraft at risk. In addition, painting and signage were carried out in the maneuvering and parking areas, investments were made in safety equipment, buses for enger transportation were modernized, and the terminal was lit.
Main improvements already implemented by Aena in Congonhas in the first year of management:
- Asphalt resurfacing on the roads leading to the airport
- Opening of the pocket for app car drivers
- New enger boarding area for app-based cars
- Reduction in local traffic by an average of 30% after implementation of the first phase of the mobility project
- New commercial mix with more than 10 new stores and restaurants
- Repaving of aircraft taxiways
- Painting of signage in the aircraft maneuvering and parking area
- First airport in the country to obtain grade A in the Operational Capacity Certificate in response to an emergency
- Improvements in operational efficiency. Voted the most punctual airport in the world for two consecutive months, increasing from 65% in October 2023 to over 86% in June and July 2024
- Reinforcement of security and cleaning teams
- Cleaning and sanitizing the air conditioning system
- Reinforcement of staff and early opening of the X-ray facility
- Expansion from 10 to 13 inspection channels, with a forecast of 16 by the end of 2024
- Change in the departure lounge layout for better enger flow
- Increased availability of seats in the boarding lounge
- Increased power points in the terminal (sockets), replacement of tactile flooring and other improvements for enger accessibility and convenience
- Revitalization of buses and ambulifts
- Revitalization of baggage conveyor belts
Start of modernization works
According to the schedule defined in the concession notice, Aena has a five-year deadline to complete the modernization works at Congonhas Airport. Aena has already begun the first interventions to prepare the airport area for the major modernization works, which include the construction of a new enger terminal, which will double the current space for boarding and disembarking.
The process of hiring the construction company responsible for the works is in the final phase, with work expected to begin between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 and an investment of more than R$2 billion.
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Street: aena brazil
