BH Airport celebrates record number of passengers and announces new commercial mix for 2025

BH Airport celebrates a year of achievements in 2024, with records in passenger and cargo movement, consolidating its position as a hub for connections and efficiency in the airport sector. Approximately 11.3 million people passed through the Minas Gerais international terminal between January and November 2024, a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This historic figure points to the excellent performance of the aviation sector in Minas Gerais, which grew 4 times more than the market average in other states. In cargo movement, the increase was 26% compared to the previous year, reaching the level of 15 thousand tons processed, in the consolidated period from January to November 2024. For 2025, BH Airport announces new developments, including the expansion of the commercial mix and the opening of new VIP lounges.

BH Airport CEO Daniel Miranda celebrates the achievements and points out that, despite the difficult scenario imposed by the pandemic, the sector has been recovering. “Today, we celebrate the results that are the result of hard work always focused on expanding connectivity and constantly improving the passenger experience. Even challenged by the historical repercussions and impacts of the world's biggest health crisis, we have evolved and consolidated ourselves as a modern and efficient airport – one of the country's main hubs”, he states.

In 2024, BH Airport launched 9 destinations, consolidating itself as the second airport in Brazil in terms of the number of domestic destinations and the third in total destinations. “This result also reflects the strategic partnership with InvestMinas and the Government of the State of Minas Gerais, which are fundamental for the development of new air routes and the growth in demand. Joint actions have expanded Minas Gerais' connectivity with Brazil and the world, enhancing BH Airport's role as an economic engine and catalyst for investments in the state”, says Daniel.

The excellent performance in cargo movement is also highlighted by BH Airport COO Rodrigo Côrtes as one of the main milestones for 2024. “We are the first airport in Brazil to offer an integrated multimodal logistics solution, connecting sky, land and sea. This innovative model was essential to achieve the historic movement of R$ 10 billion in imports from January to November 2024. In addition, our strategic location – just a one-hour flight from 70% of Brazil's GDP – further strengthens BH Airport's role as an essential driver for the growth of the national economy”, he highlights.

BH Airport's achievements in 2024 also include the expansion of its commercial mix. In total, 17 stores were opened, totaling more than 100 commercial operations. “We operate almost like a shopping mall, where passengers and visitors find everything in one place, within a modern, functional and comfortable environment. In 2025, our goal is to launch at least 20 new stores and two VIP lounges – one on the mezzanine floor of the public area and another in domestic departures, near Gate 1,” says the CEO.

“The outlook is to continue growing in 2025, with an optimistic outlook for the future. We continue to strengthen our role as drivers of the country’s economic development, expanding Minas Gerais’ connectivity with Brazil and the world, exceeding our operating capacity, supported by high standards of quality and efficiency, always committed to providing the best airport experience for our customers,” concludes Daniel Miranda.

Dia Nacional da Mata Atlântica: BH Airport reforça compromisso com a preservação do bioma no sítio aeroportuário

On Atlantic Forest Day, celebrated on May 27, BH Airport reaffirms its commitment to preserving the ecosystems of the region around its airport site, protecting significant areas of the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. With responsible environmental practices and sustainable management, the airport maintains 310 hectares of Legal Reserve, of which approximately 790 hectares are remnants of native vegetation. All environmental management is carried out based on official guidelines, in accordance with the current Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), and the focus is to ensure that reserves and permanent preservation areas continue to play an essential role in the ecological balance of the territory.

In addition to conservation, BH Airport carries out environmental monitoring actions, technical visits and monitoring of inspections by environmental agencies. The airport also maintains a wildlife passage – located under the access road to the terminal – which helps to preserve animals typical of these biomes, preventing them from being run over on the road. BH Airport has already identified 12 species from the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado using the passage, including anteaters, deer and armadillos.

BH Airport's Engineering and Maintenance Manager, Emerson Chaves, highlights the importance of preservation work, which is one of the airport's commitments to the environment. "These measures ensure that the airport remains integrated into the region's natural landscape, reinforcing its environmental and sustainable responsibility. We have a dedicated and attentive team to monitor and carry out other actions to preserve flora, fauna and water resources in this area", he says.

The issue of preservation is urgent, considering that, according to MapBiomas, today only 24% of the original forest cover of the Atlantic Forest remains in Brazil. The proportion is well below the minimum acceptable limit, which should be 30%, according to a study published in the journal Science. On the other hand, the most recent data from the Atlantic Forest Deforestation Alert System (SAD) indicate good news: a significant 55% reduction in deforestation in the biome in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.

“The cause of the Atlantic Forest is essential for maintaining biodiversity, and BH Airport is committed to preserving this biome, ensuring that our natural areas continue to be protected and fulfilling their ecological function,” says Emerson. Committed to environmental practices, BH Airport has been recognized twice in a row by ANAC as the Most Sustainable Airport in Brazil. It has also received the Green Airport title four times by the Airports Council International (ACI).

BH Airport tops passenger satisfaction rankings in April, in the large airports category

BH Airport reached a significant milestone in the satisfaction survey conducted by the Civil Aviation Secretariat (SAC) last April, with an overall satisfaction rating of 4.59. The score guaranteed the terminal first place in the ranking for the period, in the category of airports with more than 10 million passengers.

BH Airport's Operations, Security and Passenger Experience Manager, Fabiano Reis, celebrates the score. "This result shows that the path we have taken with total focus on the customer journey is once again placing our airport as a reference. And we will continue working to achieve even higher scores. To this end, we are closely monitoring passenger opinions, creating actions with quick and efficient solutions and directing the entire team towards this goal", he states.

The survey, which included 428 interviews at times predetermined by SAC, revealed that 97.66% of passengers rated their experience at BH Airport as "good" or "very good". It is composed of indicators that assess passenger satisfaction with the airport services offered, in addition to indicators that monitor the time taken for the processes to which passengers are subjected. Among the indicators that improved in April were the comfort of the boarding lounge; availability of reserved seats; general cleanliness of the airport; and food and commercial establishments.

The April result also represents a significant improvement compared to March, with an increase of 3.61%. Compared to the same period in 2024, there was a growth of 2.46%, highlighting BH Airport's commitment to continuously improving the passenger experience. In addition to leading the category, the airport recorded a significant improvement in the overall ranking, rising nine positions and reaching 3rd place among all Brazilian terminals.

International award

The pursuit of the best customer experience was also recognized last year by the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation program. BH Airport has reached level 2 of the program, which is part of the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) of Airports Council International (ACI) Word and helps airports evolve in their traveler experience practices.

Yellow May: BH Airport and the Government of Minas Gerais hold a day to raise awareness among passengers about road safety

Crash impact simulator, 3D glasses to simulate the effects of alcohol and drugs, blitz and educational theater. Anyone passing through BH Airport this Wednesday (21) has the opportunity to learn about a very serious subject while playing: traffic safety. The action in celebration of Yellow May has the theme “Slow down. Your greatest asset is life” and is carried out by BH Airport in partnership with several traffic and security agencies of the Government of Minas Gerais. The goal is to raise awareness among passengers who use the airport, reminding them about the journey they will make immediately after landing, but also at other times in their lives, whether as drivers or pedestrians.

BH Airport CEO Daniel Miranda reinforces the airport's social role in spreading awareness about topics like this. He explains that the initiative is aimed at both passengers who use various modes of transport to get to the terminal, as well as employees who also make this journey daily. The campaign is also extended to professionals who work in the apron, where there are specific traffic rules.

“Our airport is like a city: more than 35,000 people pass through the terminal every day. We have a high flow of cars, buses, vans, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, so traffic safety and pedestrian movement are essential to us. We believe that by raising awareness about Yellow May, we are contributing to a better experience for our passengers before they even arrive at the airport or their destinations,” says Daniel.

The impact simulator is one of the experiences that passengers can try out. It simulates the seat of a car that crashes, so that the seatbelt-wearing passenger feels the sudden impact of what would be a real collision. The simulation shows the importance of using safety equipment. In addition, the public can also experience, through virtual reality, what it would be like to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The 3D glasses simulate the sensation of drugs and teach about the risks of driving or even walking on the street under the influence. The program also includes a fun play and educational blitzes, which addressed drivers and pedestrians.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION PASSENGERS ARE EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH BH AIRPORT IN MAY

Following an April marked by large vacancies and high demand, the BH Aeropuerto maintains its upward trend in May. The expectation is that more than 1 million passengers will circulate through the terminal over the last month, which represents an increase of 6.2% compared to May 2024 and a significant increase of 16.9% compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic. The data supports the consolidation of the Minas Gerais international airport as one of the country's most dynamic.

It is also expected that the terminal will register more than 9,500 landing and departure operations, an increase of 11.2% compared to the same month last year. In comparison with May 2019, during the pandemic, the growth is even more significant: an increase of 20.3% in the number of operations.

"This constant growth directly reflects our efforts to strengthen aerial connectivity in Minas Gerais, with a focus on quality and cutting-edge infrastructure. More than just numbers, this represents new opportunities for tourism, business and regional development", says Rodrigo Côrtes, director of operations at BH Airport.

Stationary routes within sight

With the arrival of winter in the southern hemisphere, Aeropuerto BH is preparing for new operations in the coming months. In June, the inhabitants of Minas Gerais could once again connect with Santiago de Chile, with the renewal of the route operated by Sky Airline, chosen as the best low-cost airline in South America. A new international destination will also be launched: Bariloche, Argentina, with direct flights from Azul. In July, the same airline reopened direct flights between BH and Fort Lauderdale, in the United States.

Destinations served in Mayo

El Aeropuerto BH offers around 70 destinations in Brazil and around the world. Check active operations this month:

Regional flights:

Araxa; Divinópolis; Governor Valadares; Ipatinga; Manhuacu; Clear mountains; Paracatu; Patos de Minas; Salt pans; Teófilo Otoni; Uberaba; Uberlandia; Varginha.

Domestic flights:

Aracaju (SE); Barreras (BA); Belen (PA); Brasilia (DF); Campina Grande (PB); Campinas (SP); Cuiabá (MT); Curitiba (PR); Florianopolis (SC); Fortaleza (CE); Foz do Iguaçu (PR); Goiânia (GO); Guanambi (BA); Guarulhos (SP); Comandatuba Island (BA); Ilhéus (BA); Emperatriz (MA); Jericoacoara (CE); Juan Persona (PB); Linhares (ES); Maceió (AL); Manaos (AM); Marabá (PA); Natal (RN); Palmas (TO); Parauapebas (PA); Porto Alegre (RS); Porto Seguro (BA); Porto Velho (RO); Recife (PE); Ribeirao Preto (SP); Rio Branco (AC); Rio de Janeiro – GIG (RJ); Rio de Janeiro – SDU (RJ); Rio de Janeiro – RRJ (RJ); Salvador (BA); San Luis (MA); Sao José do Rio Preto (SP); São Paulo – CGH (SP); Sonrisa (MT); Teresina (PI); Vitoria (ES); Victoria de la Conquista (BA).

International flights:

Buenos Aires (Argentina); Panama City (Panama); Lisbon (Portugal); Orlando (EE.U.U.); Santiago (Chile) and Willemstad (Curazao).