The Spanish operator completed the transaction after winning a March auction; the airport concession runs through 2039.
Spanish airport operator Aena has taken over management of Rio de Janeiro’s Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport, known as Galeão. CNN Brasil reported that the transfer was formalized on Tuesday with the signing of a share purchase agreement for the terminal’s concessionaire.
Aena won the assisted-sale auction in late March with a bid of 2.9 billion reais. The company will operate the airport through 2039. With Galeão added to its Brazilian network, Aena Brasil will manage 18 airports in the country, handling more than 63 million passengers a year. The Spanish group operates 81 airports across five countries globally.
Aena president and chief executive Maurici Lucena called Galeão important to Brazil’s transport connectivity and to Rio de Janeiro, and said it had potential to expand domestic and international connections. The company also expects to coordinate the airport with other sites in its network, particularly Congonhas in São Paulo, and to strengthen Galeão’s role as an international hub.
Aena said its management would focus on operational efficiency, improving passenger experience, developing air cargo and generating value for the city and state of Rio de Janeiro. The company plans to hold a press conference next week to provide more detail on its plans. In March, Aena said it had acquired Galeão’s concessionaire through an assisted-sale process; the concession is due to expire in May 2039, according to the company.