Airports auction in Amazonic cities expected to generate R$ 3.4 Billion

By Ana Pastana – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – The auction of 43 regional airports in the Legal Amazon is expected to generate R$ 3.4 billion in the first phase of the Regional Airport Investment Program (AmpliAR), according to federal government estimates. The State of Amazonas has the highest number of available airfields, with 15 in total.

According to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, which opened a public consultation in December 2024, the goal is to attract private investments to terminals with low connectivity. The auction notice is expected to be released between March and April, with contracts signed in the first half of 2025.

Here’s where the airports in the Legal Amazon up for auction are located:

• Acre – 2 airports

Tarauacá; Marechal Thaumaturgo.

• Amazonas – 15 airports

Carauari; Eirunepé; Lábrea; São Paulo de Olivença; Santo Antônio do Içá; Barcelos; Manicoré; São Gabriel da Cachoeira; Fonte Boa; Santa Isabel do Rio Negro; Itacoatiara; Borba;  Maués; Parintins; Apuí. 

• Pará – 11 airports

Almeirim; Breves; Salinópolis; Itaituba; Oriximiná; Jacareacanga; Novo Progresso; Tucuruí; Redenção; Paragominas; São Félix do Xingu.

• Rondônia – 4 airports

Guajará-Mirim; Vilhena; Cacoal; Costa Marques. 

• Tocantins – 1 airport

Araguaína. 

• Mato Grosso – 7 airports

Aripuanã; Juína; Cáceres; Tangará da Serra; Canarana; Porto Alegre do Norte; Primavera do Leste. 

• Maranhão – 3 airports

Barreirinhas; Bacabal; Balsas. 

Program

In total, the program is expected to include 100 financially struggling regional airports. According to the federal government, the company GRU Airport, which manages São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport, and RIOgaleão, which operates Galeão Airport in Rio de Janeiro, are among the companies interested in acquiring some of these facilities.

The AmpliAR Program will allow concessionaires to take over the management of regional airports through simplified competitive processes. As compensation, concessionaires will have access to contractual rebalancing mechanisms, such as reduced fees or extended deadlines. The main goal is to modernize airport infrastructure, promote greater integration into the national air network, and foster socioeconomic development.

“With AmpliAR, States and municipalities will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of the federal concession program reaching regional airports. Concessionaires will be able to bid for airport blocks in simplified auctions, with guaranteed remuneration through the rebalancing of their primary contracts”, said the National Secretary of Civil Aviation, Tomé Franca, in a publication on the federal government’s website.

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves