The Swiss group Zurich Airport won the public bid and will operate Natal Airport (RN), in the northeast of Brazil. The airport handled approximately 2,3 million passengers in 2022. The recently acquired Airport in the city of Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte, complements Zurich Airport's portfolio in Brazil – comprising the concession of 100% of the airports in Florianópolis, Vitória and Macaé and participation in Confins airport - Belo Horizonte.
After signing the concession contract, Zurich Airport will own 100% of the airport and will operate it for a concession period of 30 years. No expansion investments are required during the concession period, but maintenance investments are planned. Currently, the airport has a capacity for around 6,5 million passengers a year. The concession contract provides for a payment of R$ 320 million. In addition, Zurich Airport will pay an annual revenue-based fee from the fifth anniversary of the concession agreement's signature. The transfer of operational responsibility is scheduled for early 2024.
With the new concession and the existing ones, Zurich Airport will be able to contribute to the growth of the Brazilian aviation market and will implement Swiss expertise in airport operations, maintaining local values, as is already the case at the group's airports in Brazil.