Government evaluates concession of Santos Dumont airport.
Minister Silvio Costa Filho states that the terminal could be handed over to the private sector and defends a new role for Infraero.
247 - The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, declared this Monday (22) that the government may soon discuss the concession of Santos Dumont Airport, in Rio de Janeiro, to private initiative. The information was published by Valor Econômico.
During the Macro Day event, organized by BTG Pactual in São Paulo, the minister stressed that Infraero should rethink its role. “I've already discussed this with Minister Rui Costa, regarding Infraero's role. I think it needs to be better discussed for the future, effectively. I think it can be much more of a builder than a manager of airports, like Santos Dumont,” he said.
Silvio Costa Filho also suggested that, with the concession, the country would reach a milestone in the airport sector. "I think that in the near future we can discuss the possibility of making a major concession at Santos Dumont airport, so that we can have 100% of the major Brazilian airports managed by international concessionaires," he stated.
Aviation concessions and expansion
In the same panel, which included the Minister of Transport, Renan Filho, the head of the Ports and Airports Ministry celebrated Latam's announcement of an order for up to 74 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. "Today Latam announced the purchase of up to 74 new aircraft that will strengthen Brazilian aviation, creating new destinations, new routes, and expanding our connections with South America. This should also happen with Gol and Azul," he highlighted.
According to him, strengthening Embraer's position in the domestic market is still a challenge. "While in the United States 50% of aviation is done with Boeing aircraft and in France the French Airbus share is 48%, in Brazil Embraer aircraft still represent only 12%. This is a sector that will advance significantly," he said.
The minister also highlighted the importance of regional aviation for the development of tourism and the local economy. “We are working hard to strengthen aviation, from aviation concessions to advancing business tourism, leisure tourism, especially with a regional focus, since every four tourists who arrive in the city generates a job opportunity. This is a sector that will advance significantly,” he added.
