Within ten months, Macaé Airport (RJ) will be able to receive commercial flights. The anticipation of the deadline was announced today by Zurich Airport Brasil, during an event to launch the cornerstone of the work on the new runway at Macaé Airport. The ceremony was attended by the management of Zurich Airport in Brazil and Latin America (ZALA), the Government of Rio de Janeiro, the Municipality of Macaé and the Bem Voar consortium, formed by the construction companies Barbosa Mello (CBM) and Engeform Engenharia, responsible for construction.

Commercial flights are temporarily suspended in Macaé to enable the construction of the new runway. The concessionaire's term, according to the concession contract, is 2 years. However, with a focus on finding a solution to serve passengers, Zurich Airport Brasil developed a study to optimize processes in the planning and execution of the work, and increased the investment in construction, which will allow the release of the current runway to operate flights. commercials in record time.

“Adding agility to the already recognized quality of the projects developed by Zurich Airport Brasil, especially in the execution of such an important work for Macaé and for the North Fluminense region, reaffirms our commitment to the development of the cities where we operate”, says Ricardo Gesse, CEO from Zurich Airport Brazil.  

The new runway, which will be 1.410 meters long, will be delivered in 2025. The new infrastructure will change the category of the airport base, as it will allow larger aircraft to land and take off. The Swiss concessionaire's total investment is R$ 220 million.

To celebrate the construction, already started on June 1, 2023, the concessionaire held, this Wednesday morning in the terminal's arrivals area, the Aufrichtefest, a Swiss ceremony held during construction. 
Currently, Macaé Airport accounts for around 55% of offshore operations in the region, which represents a 120% increase in its market share since the start of the concession to the Swiss group in 2019.

Present at the event, the Secretary for Economic Development, Industry and Commerce of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Vinícius Farah, highlighted the importance of building the new track for the creation of business opportunities. “It is a privilege to have the investments of Zurich Airport Brasil in Rio de Janeiro, especially in Macaé. The city has a prominent role in generating employment and income in the State and in the country, mainly due to the robust offshore operations”.

During the execution of the work, flights of rotary-wing aircraft, such as helicopters, which today are the main movement of the airport, will continue to operate regularly on the section of the runway that will not be impacted by the work.
In his speech, the mayor of Macaé, Welberth Rezende, spoke about the importance of partnerships for the development of the municipality. “We are very happy with the construction of the new runway at Macaé airport. This project is an example of how having partners like Zurich Airport Brasil makes a significant contribution to further developing Macaé airport, one of the fastest growing cities in Brazil.”

The consortium of builders estimates the generation of around 380 direct and indirect jobs during the work. The implementation of the new runway for landings and take-offs is foreseen, including activities for the development of the executive project, earthworks, drainage, soil treatment, paving, signaling and beaconing. Also part of the scope is the relocation of equipment to aid navigation and vegetation cover. The project also foresees carrying out work on the site's infrastructure with the construction of taxiways and expansion of the rotary-wing aircraft patio.