Fraport concludes deal to manage Fortaleza and Porto Alegre airports

BRAZIL. Fraport AG has signed concession agreements with the Brazilian government to manage and develop Fortaleza and Porto Alegre airports. As reported, Fraport won the public auction for the two locations in March and will take over operations in early 2018. The German airport company has now established a subsidiary, Fraport Brasil, led by CEO Andrea Pal.

The Fortaleza concession is for 30 years with the terminal to be expanded by 26,000sq m. At Porto Alegre, Fraport has a 25-year concession with a plan to expand terminal space by 36,000sq m.

Dr. Stefan Schulte: “We have been closely watching the Brazilian market for some years and are excited to be operating at not one, but two airports”

Fraport Executive Board Chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte underscored the importance of the company’s expansion: “We have been closely watching the Brazilian market for some years and are excited to be operating at not one, but two airports. We are convinced of the great potential offered by the strategic gateways of Fortaleza and Porto Alegre.”

Attending the Brazilian government’s official ceremony for the signing of the concession agreements, Fraport Senior Executive Vice President for Global Investments and Management Aletta von Massenbach said: “We are working closely with Infraero – the current operator of the two airports – along with the SAC (Civil Aviation Secretary of the Brazilian Presidency), ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency), and other competent state institutions in advancing the transition process for handing over operations at both airports.

“The concession agreements outline vital mandatory infrastructure projects that will significantly enhance overall operations, service performance and capacity – thus benefiting airlines, passengers, airport business partners, as well as helping drive economic development in the respective airport regions served by Fortaleza and Porto Alegre airports.”

On the appointment of Andreas Pal, Dr. Schulte said: “She is a highly respected aviation executive and a Fraport Group veteran with more than 16 years in the international airport business.”

Pal brings to Fraport Brasil experience in international airport management, strategic and financial development, airport financing as well as infrastructure development and management. During her seven years at Northern Capital Gateway – the consortium involving Fraport that manages St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport – Pal has held executive management responsibilities and served as Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer.

Pal said: “Moving from one BRIC country in the northern hemisphere to another in the southern hemisphere is an exciting new challenge. I look forward to leading the Fraport Brasil team in South America’s largest market. Our commitment is to create two modern, efficient and customer-oriented gateways. By leveraging Fraport’s extensive expertise and the energy of our future team that we are attracting to Fraport Brasil, we will launch a new era of air transportation at Fortaleza and Porto Alegre.”

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