BH Airport breaks new records with passenger traffic above the national average and growth in cargo

The Brazilian air sector accelerated in the first half of 2025, registering a 10% growth in passenger traffic compared to the same period of the previous year. At BH Airport, the increase was even more significant: 6.2 million passengers passed through the terminal between January and June, a jump of almost 15% over 2024. The number of landings and takeoffs also rose, with approximately 57,000 operations—a growth of 11% compared to the first semester of last year.

BH Airport’s COO, Rodrigo Côrtes, highlights that the growth stems from two pillars: the gradual recovery of the economy and the strategic work carried out by the international terminal in Minas Gerais over recent years. According to him, the impacts of the pandemic were deep and required time for recovery across the entire tourism chain, but the current scenario already allows for consistent advances.

“We are living through a cycle of reconstruction, driven both by economic improvement and our commitment to providing ever-greater connectivity. While surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, we have continuously invested in infrastructure, operational efficiency, and experiences that make BH Airport more attractive and functional for those who arrive and depart,” he states.

In the semester’s cumulative data, the most sought-after domestic destinations were São Paulo, Brasília, Campinas, and Rio de Janeiro. As for international routes with higher demand, Portugal, Panama, and the United States stood out. The destination with the highest volume of extra flights was Porto Seguro, which continues to be a frequent choice among passengers during extended holidays and school breaks.

Among the first quarter’s new developments is the launch of the BH–Bariloche route. Operated by Azul Linhas Aéreas using Airbus A320 aircraft, which accommodate up to 174 passengers, tickets have been on sale since February. In total, there will be 34 operations, with departures from Belo Horizonte on Wednesdays and Sundays during the June–August season.

Logistics also on the rise

In addition to the growth in passenger traffic, BH Airport’s Multimodal Logistics Hub also showed impressive performance in the first half of the year. Between January and June 2025, 10.6 thousand tons of cargo were handled—combining import and export operations—which represents an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Moreover, the value of the cargo passing through the terminal increased significantly. While in the first half of 2024 it totaled around R$7.6 billion, in the first six months of 2025 it rose to R$9.6 billion, a 26% leap that highlights the terminal’s potential for handling high-value-added cargo.

BH Airport’s Commercial Manager, Geovane Medina, emphasizes that the hub has been driven by the creation of customized solutions tailored to market demands. According to him, the launch of innovative products has strengthened the airport’s logistics operations. “We are attentive to the needs of importers and continue to expand our solutions focused on competitiveness and efficiency. One example is the new international road route that connects Brazil to South America by land, offering exclusive conditions and attractive rates, opening new possibilities for companies that operate with the South American continent,” he says.

BH’s Multimodal Logistics Hub is the only customs bonded area in Minas Gerais with 24-hour inspection. It comprises 12,000 m² of bonded area, 300 m² of hazardous cargo warehouse; 3,131 m² of cold chambers with a customized setup ranging from -18°C to +22°C and thermal qualification; and 11 positions for cargo aircraft parking.

The terminal receives cargo from various countries worldwide, with the most representative origins being the United States, China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and France. Among the sectors with the highest demand are Life Sciences, with cargo such as vaccines and medicines, Mining, and Automotive. In 2024, the terminal received more than 30,000 import cargo operations, an 8% increase compared to the previous year.