Aena announces expansion plans for Rio de Janeiro's Galeão Airport

Aena, the Spanish concessionaire that recently assumed management of Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport, has announced an aggressive expansion plan. By January 2027, the company aims to increase weekly flight frequencies by over 50 for nine existing international destinations, including Paris, Miami, and Frankfurt. Additionally, Aena plans to launch or resume service to nine new foreign cities, such as New York, Toronto, and Lima.

The expansion is supported by a coordinated R$ 1 billion investment package from private partners over the next three years. Key projects include the construction of a 232-room international hotel, a new logistics warehouse, a BYD testing center, and a maintenance hangar for GOL Linhas Aéreas valued at over R$ 100 million. These developments are expected to generate approximately 3,860 jobs.

While Galeão is projected to reach 19 million passengers this year, it remains well below its 37-million-passenger annual capacity. The company stated that the reopening of Terminal 1, which has been closed for a decade, will only be considered if passenger demand justifies the space. Meanwhile, Minister of Ports and Airports Tomé Franca noted that flight restrictions at Santos Dumont Airport will remain in place until 2029 to support Galeão’s growth.