The operational takeover follows the completion of the required joint transition period with Infraero, the state-owned authority that previously ran both airports. Fraport won the two concessions in March 2017 during a public auction of four airports under Brazil’s third round of airport privatisations. Some BRL600m is expected to be invested at each airport for infrastructure improvement and development projects during the respective concession periods.
Dr Stefan Schulte, Fraport’s Executive Board Chairman, commented on the opening. “We are proud to welcome these two best-located gateways to the Fraport global portfolio. With Porto Alegre and Fortaleza, we now have three airports in South America and a total of 30 airports where we are active worldwide. Our mandate is to enhance the passenger experience while strengthening the role of these airports for their respective stakeholders and regions.”
Andreea Pal, CEO of Fraport Brasil, added: “We strongly believe in the potential of Fortaleza and Porto Alegre airports. We are focusing our efforts on raising the attractiveness of these two airports through ongoing improvements in infrastructure and operational processes.”
The Fraport Brasil Fortaleza operating company has been established to run the Fortaleza concession in the federal state of Ceará for 30 years, while Fraport Brasil Porto Alegre has been created for the 25 year Porto Alegre concession in Rio Grande du Sol.
