On 12 December 2023, the Spanish company Aena inaugurated the expansion and modernisation of the Guararapes – Gilberto Freyre International Airport in Recife, Brazil, which saw a 40% increase in built area and a 60% growth in capacity.
In addition to being larger, the airport in the capital of Pernambuco is now more modern, comfortable, sustainable and safe.
The president of Aena, Maurici Lucena, recalls that the concessionaire is responsible for around 20% of national air traffic, with 17 airports in nine states, including crucial airports for the Brazilian air network, such as Congonhas in São Paulo and Recife. “This fills us with immense pride, but also with great responsibility. Our goal is to offer better and better infrastructure that can support the development of the regions where we operate, facilitating the attraction of new businesses by promoting local tourism.” Lucena says.
Recife connected
Recife International Airport is among the busiest in all of Brazil with over 700,000 passengers per month. It is also the fourth most connected in the country, with connections to 39 domestic and five international destinations. To facilitate operations with other countries, the package of improvements implemented also includes the automation of immigration/passport control processes and the expansion of customs clearance spaces for both embarking and disembarking.
An airport of this magnitude therefore needs a strong security system. To meet this need, Magnetic has supplied its Momentum® E-Gates. With their modern and modular design, adaptable to the airport’s spaces, Momentum® gates allow accurate access control for all stages of the passenger journey: pre-security gates for access to the security area, immigration and passport control gates and boarding gates. A control and drive technology that makes Momentum® gates one of the most secure access points on the market.
Implementation and innovation
Another highlight is the change in the commercial concept of Recife International Airport. A new assortment of shops, services, restaurants and cafés has been implemented.
The terminal expansion involves all areas to increase comfort and space in the boarding and arrival lounges, check-in lounges and security inspection channels. Recife will also receive electronic boarding card readers, more self check-in totems and new passport control gates. One of the focuses of the structural reforms is the investment in technology and operational efficiency along all phases of passenger, baggage and cargo flow.