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 is one of the ten most punctual airports in the world.

In the world's top 10 for 2025, BH Airport celebrates another achievement recognized by the OTP Report, a punctuality performance report for airports and airlines, published by Cirium, a company specializing in aviation data. In the medium-scale airport category, which considers an annual volume of 15 to 25 million passengers, the Minas Gerais terminal achieved 83.57% punctuality in takeoffs, out of a total of 113,857 flights.

The first place in the global ranking of the most punctual medium-sized airports in the world went to Panama City Tocumen International Airport, with 93.34% of takeoffs on time, out of a total of 148,065 flights. Brasília International Airport took second place, with 88.36% punctuality. Among Brazilian airports, Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro also stood out in 6th place, and Viracopos International Airport in São Paulo in 8th.

“The Cirium ranking is a global benchmark, based on rigorous technical criteria for analyzing flight data, and contributes to identifying patterns and improvements in the airline industry. We celebrate our result, certain that we are on the right track. We continue to evolve, committed to providing the best passenger experience, acting consistently to ensure operational efficiency and bring innovative solutions, in synergy with the airlines,” emphasizes the Operations Director of BH Airport, Rodrigo Côrtes.

Electric buses arrive to reinforce the decarbonization strategy of BH Airport and modernize the mobility fleet in the operational area.

BH Airport is advancing its transition to a less environmentally impactful mobility matrix by expanding investments in electric vehicles and low-carbon fuels. The latest development, driven by electrification, arrived today. With an investment of R$ 5 million, the Minas Gerais international terminal brought its first two electric buses into operation for passenger transport. This initiative is part of a structured long-term investment plan, projecting the renewal of the fleet and the gradual replacement of operational combustion vehicles.

“The modernization of the electric mobility fleet reinforces our commitment to sustainability, operational innovation, and management aligned with ESG practices. Our expectation is that, by 2030, remote boarding and disembarkation operations will be 100% carried out with electric buses. With the two new vehicles that arrived today, we estimate an additional reduction of 42.1 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year,” says Emerson Chaves, Infrastructure and Environment Manager at BH Airport.

Since 2024, marking the transition to electric mobility, the Minas Gerais airport has already recorded a reduction of 40 tons of CO₂ equivalent, resulting from the replacement of four combustion vehicles with four BYD Mini Dolphin electric models, used to transport operational teams on the apron. “Our plan also involves replacing fossil fuels with green fuels, as part of the effort to reduce direct emissions, neutralizing environmental impacts, and increasing the energy efficiency of operations. In 2024, we incorporated two hybrid flex-fuel ethanol pickup trucks, replacing the diesel vehicles used by maintenance teams. The total investment in the acquisition of the BYD pickup trucks and models was R$ 750,000,” adds Emerson Chaves.

The sustainable mobility strategy is part of BH Airport's decarbonization plan, structured with horizons extending to the end of the concession. Recognized as the first carbon-neutral airport in Brazil, guaranteeing all the requirements to achieve level 3+ /Emission Neutralization, within the Airport Carbon Accreditation program of the Airports Council International (ACI), BH Airport continues to advance towards achieving zero emissions by 2044 and has already avoided the emission of approximately 8,600 tons of CO₂ equivalent since 2017, representing a 69% reduction since the decarbonization program was implemented.

Sustainable Partnership

The new electric buses were acquired from the national manufacturer Marcopolo, after a technical qualification process that considered specific requirements of the airport environment, such as safety standards, operational performance and system reliability. The vehicles received exclusive visual customization, with an identity aligned with the BH Airport brand, and personalized with the sustainability program seal. Regular operations are scheduled to begin in January 2026, once the change management process, which includes stages such as testing periods, team training, review of operational procedures and the contingency plan, is complete.

“This partnership with BH Airport marks our debut in the airport segment with electric vehicles and reinforces Marcopolo's commitment to developing sustainable solutions for complex applications. It is a 100% Brazilian vehicle, designed to meet the technical requirements of the airport sector and aligned with the global challenge of decarbonizing transportation,” says Ricardo Portolan, Director of Domestic Market Commercial Operations and Marketing at Marcopolo.

It's Christmas at the Nest.

Dear Santa, I want a crochet kit this Christmas. This unusual request filled the vast majority of letters shared by dozens of children served by the Ninho Educational Project in Lagoa Santa, in a solidarity and affection campaign promoted by BH Airport this December. The initiative mobilized the employees of the Minas Gerais airport, who had the opportunity to adopt the letters and participate in the delivery of gifts by Santa Claus, in a special Christmas celebration involving more than 700 people from the community.

128 children already served by the project, 40 new students who recently joined, and 40 siblings of the students were included, totaling more than 200 Christmas gifts. In addition to skeins of yarn in assorted colors and complete kits with crochet hooks, the children received books and coloring materials that revive childhood values ​​and promote the constructive exchange of electronic screens for creativity, learning, presence, and interaction.

“The initiative has a direct impact on the surrounding community and mobilized our employees, who felt motivated to participate in the campaign, adopting the letters left on the BH Airport Christmas tree to give gifts to the children, bringing joy, emotion, and a sense of belonging by fulfilling dreams through the surprises we prepared for them. The initiative is part of our social responsibility agenda and reinforces the airport's role as an agent of social and educational development,” says Joelma Fraga, Communication and Marketing Manager at BH Airport.

The action takes place in a context of growing challenges for childhood and basic education in the country. More than 90% of children and adolescents, between 9 and 17 years old, use the internet regularly, largely through mobile devices, which currently represents about 25 million children and adolescents in the country. The data is part of the TIC Kids Online Brasil analysis (Cetic.br/NIC.br), which presents the main results on internet use by children and adolescents in Brazil. At the same time, assessments from the Ministry of Education indicate persistent learning difficulties, especially in the early years, as well as problems related to attention and school engagement. This scenario has mobilized educators to seek new pedagogical alternatives for children's development.

Crochet as a learning tool

In the Ninho Educational Project, crochet became part of the pedagogical routine after a student needed to be hospitalized and received a kit from educator Daniela Paulinelli, one of the project's founders, with the intention of providing therapeutic resources for the child to get through the chronic process of the illness,

contributing to readaptation during the return to school.

“When this child returned, we realized that the activity had created a strong link with the classroom. It was a phenomenon: other children became interested, brought their own materials, and crochet naturally became incorporated into the daily life of the project,” she explains.

“From there, together with the parents, we considered the best use of this tool as a primary resource to get children away from screens at home. Within this new perspective, we also held a cultural exhibition, with workshops and presentations of crochet pieces that have spanned generations, highlighting the value of this manual work in the lives of these children and their families,” adds Daniela Paulinelli.

“We support the project's proposal to provide physical, cognitive, pedagogical, and emotional benefits for these children, and we are happy to know that parents and the school are already celebrating gains in concentration, attention, reduced anxiety, motor coordination, self-esteem, and interactivity. Initiatives like this reflect our purpose of shortening distances and connecting destinations also in the social field, promoting inclusion and sustainable development,” emphasizes the Communication and Marketing Manager of BH Airport, Joelma Fraga. “What connects BH Airport to Ninho is the desire to fly high and fly together,” concludes Daniela, highlighting her gratitude for the partnership.

Are you going to travel?

From January to November, more than 12.2 million passengers have already passed through BH Airport. With the start of school holidays and the possibility of extended Christmas and New Year's holidays, the expectation is to receive approximately 1 million travelers this December, surpassing the 2024 figure, when 12.3 million passengers passed through the terminal. In the accumulated year, up to November 2025, passenger traffic is already 19.9% ​​higher than the same period in 2019 (pre-pandemic). Considering the comparison between 2024 and 2025, the growth is 8.3%.

The numbers indicate that the high season is officially open, and the end-of-year festivities further intensify operations at BH Airport. From today, December 19th, until January 5th, 2026, more than 700,000 passengers are expected to pass through the Minas Gerais terminal. The peak of this movement will be on December 22nd, when approximately 44,000 passengers are expected to pass through the terminal. Between landings and takeoffs, more than 9,000 aircraft movements and 478 extra flights are scheduled to meet the December demand.

“During this period, we reinforce our commitment to the passenger experience, seeking to guarantee the excellence of our services. In the operation, we have increased the cleaning and security teams, including the support of our administrative team to assist passengers when necessary,” explains Fabiano Reis, Operations, Security and Passenger Experience Manager at BH Airport. “Passenger traffic at the Minas Gerais terminal is growing above the national average. On average, 40,000 passengers pass through here daily. We are the third airport with the largest number of destinations in Brazil and the second in domestic flights,” emphasizes Fabiano Reis.

Traveling with children

For those traveling by plane with children, special attention should be paid to the appropriate documentation for national and international boarding. A birth certificate or civil identification document with a photo, such as an RG (Brazilian national identity card) or passport, is required for children up to 11 years and 11 months old traveling within Brazil accompanied by their parents or guardians (tutor or custodian), or in the company of grandparents or relatives over 18 years of age up to the third degree, such as siblings and uncles/aunts.

It is also important to present a document proving the parentage or relationship with the responsible adult. For children 12 years of age and older, only a civil identification document is valid. In the case of children traveling unaccompanied or with a companion over 18 years of age authorized by the parents or guardians, in addition to the birth certificate or civil identification document, a travel authorization from the parents or guardians is also required, with a notarized signature or through the Electronic Travel Authorization.

For international travel, a valid Brazilian passport must be presented. If the child is traveling with only one parent, in addition to the passport, it is necessary to carry express authorization from the absent parent, through a document with a notarized signature. If the child or adolescent is unaccompanied or with a guardian over 18 years of age authorized by the parents, a valid Brazilian passport and express authorization from both parents or guardians must be presented, through a document with a notarized signature.

There's fun at BH Airport

The Kids' Area is the ideal option for families traveling with children who are looking for entertainment between boarding and disembarking, with themed playgrounds and a plane for the kids to have fun pretending to fly. BH Airport has an area dedicated especially to young passengers and visitors in the lobby and departure lounge. Holidays and end-of-year festivities also invite a visit to the Panoramic Terrace, located on the second floor of the terminal's public area, which offers a privileged view of the runway.

HIGH SEASON COMBINES COMFORT AND SAFETY

Pay attention to the tips that make the check-in and security inspection process faster

§ BH Airport recommends that passengers pay close attention to flight schedules and arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international flights, especially during this rainy season, which slows traffic on highways.

§ Another essential guideline is to check your personal documentation before leaving home. For domestic flights, it is necessary to present a valid official document with a photo. For international flights, it is also necessary to check the requirements of the destination country, such as minimum passport validity, vaccination certificate, and visa.

§ It is important that passengers check the airline's instructions before boarding. Upon disembarking, passengers on domestic flights should be aware of the changes: disembarkation 1 is exclusively for Azul, while disembarkation 2 serves Gol, LATAM and other airlines. Passengers without checked baggage can disembark through any of the lounges.

§ BH Airport offers a free electric cart service, operating from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, facilitating movement between gates 17 and 33 of the domestic departure area, especially for the elderly, pregnant women, and passengers with mobility difficulties. The service is also available to those who are not part of the priority group, ensuring convenience, comfort, speed, and accessibility for the passenger.

Sun and sea

Coastal destinations, such as Salvador (BA), Maceió (AL), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Vitória (ES), João Pessoa (PB), Porto Seguro (BA), Fortaleza (CE), and Cruz (CE), are the most sought after. Porto Alegre (RS) and Parauapebas (PA) also register an increase in traffic during this period. For the high season, the domestic market highlights the operation of the seasonal route to Navegantes, gateway to the northern coast of Santa Catarina and tourist spots such as Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí, Bombinhas and Penha, where Beto Carrero World theme park is located.

The international air network continues to include routes to Europe, North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, with flights to Buenos Aires (Argentina), Panama City (Panama), Lisbon (Portugal), Orlando (USA), Santiago (Chile) and Willemstad (Curaçao), one of the highlights of the season. Curaçao is one of the preferred international destinations this summer. The route to Willemstad operates with four weekly frequencies, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, expanding connectivity between Minas Gerais and the Caribbean.