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.

BH Airport brings solidarity and inspiration to students of the Ninho Educational Project

Approximately 130 children and adolescents served by the Ninho Educational Project in Lagoa Santa had the opportunity to experience a transformative experience with BH Airport's volunteer employees, in an interactive environment of entertainment and community learning. The open-ended discussion group was a highlight of the program and inspired the young people to explore new horizons, highlighting topics such as diversity, diverse histories, and careers related to the airport sector.

The initiative is aligned with BH Airport's socially responsible approach and is part of the "Fly Light" project, which encourages health, safety, and well-being practices, encouraging generosity as a path to balance between body and mind. Games and workshops promoted by the volunteer program, which involved approximately 500 people, also brought joy to the children benefiting from the institution, whose mission is to promote social mobility through education and the strengthening of families and communities.

"Ninho and BH Airport share the purpose of helping people soar. We will continue together, strengthening this important partnership for our community and a source of pride for our project," declares one of the founders, Hermes de Freitas, who leads Ninho in a joint initiative with his wife, Daniela Paulinelli.

For Joelma Fraga, Head of Communications and Marketing at BH Airport, the initiative demonstrates the Minas Gerais international terminal's role as an agent of social transformation, integrating inclusion and sustainable development. "It was moving to see our employees sharing their talents, experiences, and affection with the children. It was a moment of genuine exchange that filled us with hope and showed how much we can transform realities when we come together. This is one of the most beautiful ways to live BH Airport's purpose: shortening distances and connecting destinations," she emphasizes.

According to the Vorecol portal (2024), which specializes in volunteering trends and social impact, more than 70% of Brazilian companies already have formal volunteer programs aligned with ESG guidelines and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Brazilian Corporate Volunteering Census (CBVE, 2023) revealed that more than 54,000 employees participated in 15,000 initiatives, impacting approximately 1 million people and mobilizing R$16 million in investments.

BH Airport launches another direct flight to Porto Alegre

The Minas Gerais international terminal is expanding its domestic route offerings with the launch of another direct connection to Porto Alegre in September. With this launch, the airport now serves eight domestic destinations, starting in 2024: Jacarepaguá (RJ), São José do Rio Preto and Ribeirão Preto (SP), Manaus (AM), Rio Branco (AC), Divinópolis (MG), and Sorriso (MT). In total, BH Airport serves more than 70 domestic and international routes.

Rodrigo Côrtes, COO of BH Airport, says the inauguration represents another victory in the mission to connect Minas Gerais to all of Brazil and the world. "We are very happy to announce this flight, which brings the South and Southeast regions, two such important regions for the country, even closer together. It is a route that strengthens tourism, stimulates business, and offers new connection possibilities for passengers. Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre have a lot to share," says Cortês.

With two daily flights on A320 aircraft, the flight operated by LATAM has a capacity of up to 176 passengers. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, departures from Belo Horizonte are at 5:40 AM and 8:30 PM. On other days of the week, departures are at 7:45 AM and 8:30 PM. Sales began in May, and the route is already emerging as a practical alternative for leisure and business travelers.

The connection between the two capitals is also a magnet for tourism. On the one hand, Belo Horizonte offers an award-winning gastronomic circuit, access to historic cities, and unique experiences like Inhotim. On the other, Porto Alegre combines cultural tradition with a cosmopolitan urban style and serves as a gateway to the Serra Gaúcha region, a destination that attracts visitors year-round.

Beyond tourism, the route strengthens economic ties. Minas Gerais, a leading player in mining, energy, and agribusiness, is now enjoying greater integration with Rio Grande do Sul, a hub of innovation, technology, and agribusiness. The rapprochement expands business, investment and partnership opportunities between two economies that are fundamental to Brazil's GDP.

Safety in focus: BH Airport warns of fires around the terminal

A large fire recorded last weekend in a wooded area of ​​Serra Verde State Park, in the Venda Nova region, alarmed the population and raised a warning about the risk of wildfires in the northern region of the capital of Minas Gerais. Despite its proximity, the fire did not affect BH Airport's operations, but the terminal emphasizes the importance of fire prevention during this dry season.

In 2024, BH Airport recorded several fires on the airport site, all of which were controlled by joint action by the terminal's Fire Department and the Minas Gerais Fire Department. So far in 2025, there have been no serious incidents near the terminal, but the drought requires increased attention and preventive measures from the entire community.

BH Airport COO Rodrigo Côrtes emphasizes that fire prevention is a collective task. This is because small oversights, such as improperly discarding cigarettes or burning trash, can escalate into serious situations. He also points out that, in addition to environmental impacts, smoke poses a direct risk to air operations, compromising visibility during landings and takeoffs.

"BH Airport conducts constant monitoring through our Operations and Emergency Center, which includes cameras around the terminal and the use of drones to enhance surveillance. We also have a Fire Department equipped and ready to respond whenever necessary. Furthermore, we promote awareness-raising initiatives with the community, because we understand that prevention is a shared responsibility. It is essential that prevention efforts be a partnership between the airport and the entire surrounding community," he emphasizes.

How to prevent fires around the airport?

Do not throw cigarette butts in areas with dry vegetation;

Avoid burning trash or debris, especially in vacant lots;

Participate in community cleanup and awareness-raising activities;

Do not release balloons: it is a crime and can cause serious fires;

Report fires: 193 (Fire Department) or 190 (Military Police).

BH Airport ranks 8th in Cirium's global punctuality ranking among mid-sized airports

BH Airport is an international leader in punctuality. With 84.41% of on-time departures and 99.81% of monitored flights, the Minas Gerais international terminal has just ranked 8th in the July 2025 Cirium Punctuality Performance global ranking, among the most punctual mid-sized airports in the world. The Cirium ranking is a global benchmark, based on rigorous technical criteria for flight data analysis, and contributes to the identification of standards and improvements in the airline industry.

Fabiano Reis, Operations, Security, and Passenger Experience Manager, celebrates the ranking and emphasizes that the result is the result of ongoing work that prioritizes operational efficiency. "Several efforts are being made in this regard, whether rethinking operational details, constant dialogue with airlines, or adopting innovative solutions to improve passenger flow. All of this is done to ensure efficient operations while simultaneously providing an increasingly better experience for those who arrive and depart here," he emphasizes. Among the initiatives that have contributed to these results is the implementation of coordinated pushbacks, which reduce aircraft taxiing time on the ground. Coordinated pushbacks are simultaneous movements of aircraft on the ground, strategically planned between the airport operations center and the Control Tower. This joint management allows multiple aircraft to leave their positions simultaneously and head towards the runway, without compromising the fluidity and safety of operations, even during peak times.

Passenger Flow

While it is common to associate punctuality solely with aircraft operation, passenger flow plays a fundamental role in this result. At BH Airport, solutions aimed at speeding up boarding and disembarking have directly contributed to improving operational indicators.

One of these initiatives is expedited boarding, a priority flow for passengers carrying only one carry-on item, such as a suitcase, bag, or backpack. This measure streamlines security procedures at screening channels and has proven especially effective during periods of high demand. Another innovation is the E-gate, an electronic passport checking device that went into operation in August. With it, immigration processing time has dropped from 1 minute and 20 seconds to just 15 seconds. This technology represents the latest technology on the international market. "The e-gate is another investment that contributes to the continuous improvement of our passenger experience, and we remain attentive to innovations that add value to our services, facilitate transit through the terminal, and respect our travelers' time," says Fabiano.

National and International Recognition

In addition to its performance in the Cirium ranking, BH Airport also leads in other important evaluations. In the ANAC Quality Index (Q Factor), which combines objective criteria and passenger perception, the terminal achieved the best performance in Brazil in 2024. A concrete example of this result is the inspection time: between January and May of this year, 99% of passengers passed through the inspection channel within five minutes. On the international stage, BH Airport also stands out as the only Brazilian airport certified at level 2 of the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation program, promoted by ACI World. In total, only 46 airports worldwide hold this certification, 9 of which are in Latin America and only BH Airport is in Brazil, which reinforces the high standard of quality and service offered by the terminal.