BH Airport celebrates 11 years of concession with advances in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainability

On August 12, 2014, a new story began for Belo Horizonte International Airport. With the arrival of the BH Airport concession, the Minas Gerais terminal embarked on a journey of transformation that forever changed the experience of those arriving and departing in Minas Gerais. Eleven years later, the numbers confirm this progress: record passenger and cargo movement, an expanded commercial mix, increased connectivity, and national and international recognition. All of this was achieved despite challenges such as the pandemic, accelerated post-pandemic growth, increasing pressure on infrastructure, and construction work inherited from the World Cup.

Today, those passing through the airport find one of the largest hubs in the country, with modern infrastructure, excellent services, and a network that connects Minas Gerais to the world. There are more than 100 commercial operations, including six VIP lounges—including Advantage, voted the best in the world—and a range of destinations that places BH Airport as the second-largest in domestic routes and the third-largest in total in Brazil. In 2024, 12.3 million passengers passed through the terminal, representing an 18% increase over the previous year and almost four times the national average. In the first half of 2025, the terminal received 6.2 million passengers, a 15% increase over the same period in 2024.

In these 11 years, the infrastructure has also evolved significantly. Since the beginning of the concession, approximately R$1.3 billion has been invested in improvements, including the construction of a new passenger terminal, which increased the capacity from 10 million to 32 million passengers per year. In 2025, BH Airport also made several investments in technology, such as the modernization of the service and boarding system, which modernized the infrastructure used by airlines, as well as the new e-gate, an electronic passport checking device that allows documentation verification in seconds. This year, BH Airport also announced an investment that will bring significant improvements to operational efficiency and passenger comfort: the reopening of Arrivals 1. Scheduled for October, the area connects the restricted area near Gate 2 to the public concourse. The investment in the project is approximately R$11 million, a contribution made by the concessionaire, with a commitment to reimburse Infraero, which is responsible for the renovation’s finances.

For BH Airport CEO Daniel Miranda Barbosa, all this progress over the last 11 years is the result of management committed to excellence and the future of aviation in Minas Gerais. He emphasizes that the anniversary represents an important milestone, but it is also a starting point for new challenges and opportunities. “Celebrating 11 years is recognizing how far we’ve come and reaffirming that we still have room to grow. We’ve transformed the airport into one of the most efficient and welcoming in the country, but we know that to continue on this path, it’s essential to complete the projects we inherited in 2014, which are essential to maintaining our quality and safety standards. We will continue working with a passenger focus, always striving for greater connectivity, innovation, and sustainability for Minas Gerais,” he states.

11 Years of Caring for the Environment and People

BH Airport’s evolution over the past few years also translates into social and environmental responsibility. Since the beginning of the concession, operational excellence has been accompanied by sustainable practices and social impact. The terminal is now a national benchmark, recognized by ANAC with the Sustainable Airports seal for three consecutive years and awarded in the Society (social impact) and Externalities (emissions and waste management) categories. Initiatives like the partnership with Ascamare—which has already disposed of more than 3,700 tons of recyclable waste and directly benefits 22 families—and investments in renewable energy and an electric fleet demonstrate that our commitment to the environment and the community is present at every stage of our operations. “We believe that growing responsibly is the only way forward. Over these 11 years, we’ve shown that it’s possible to evolve infrastructure, services, and connectivity without compromising on caring for the environment and people. This is our commitment to Minas Gerais and the future of aviation,” says Daniel.