Amazon Airports Announce Cooperation to Address Drought in AM

- A package of actions was defined based on the emergency situation experienced by the state;

 - Operational flexibility regarding humanitarian issues is among the actions to be implemented;

- The Concessionaire of the Airports of the Amazon is coordinating to implement innovative solutions that allow the use of mixed logistics between maritime and air.

October, 2023 - Moved by the emergency situation in the state of Amazonas due to severe drought, the Concessionaire of the Airports of the Amazon, a member of the VINCI Airports network, announced a package of actions aimed at contributing to the State during the dry season and mitigating the impact of the runway works at the Manaus, Tefé, and Tabatinga terminals during this period. 

Among the announced actions is the creation of a committee for operational flexibility involving humanitarian issues. One of these actions was carried out this week, with the opening of Tefé Airport - during hours it would be closed for works - for aircraft to bring supplies and samples to monitor the situation of the dolphin mortality in Lake Tefé. The Concessionaire has maintained contact with entities supporting communities affected by the drought to support coping actions.

Another action is more frequent contact with air operators to analyze specific aviation cases during this period. There will also be a waiver of fees for aircraft overnighting at the terminals due to the runway works.

Cargo transportation is another essential issue for the Concessionaire within the drought coping actions. There is available capacity to increase cargo flow during this period. Manaus Airport is the only one in Brazil with aircraft elevators, with 115 operational positions. It is possible to operate three cargo aircraft simultaneously. 

The Concessionaire is in talks with freight agents and importers to implement innovative solutions that allow, for example, the use of mixed logistics between maritime and air, to reach the regions affected by the drought. As a result, a committee will be created, this time to monitor chartered cargo flights.

The CEO of the Concessionaire of the Airports of the Amazon, Karen Strougo, highlights: “Given the current emergency scenario, we saw the need to maintain contact with governments and companies to find ways to flex the construction schedule for situations involving humanitarian issues, as well as to offer alternatives for cargo transportation to ensure that supplies reach the affected areas. We must emphasize that these works are essential to ensure operational continuity at the airports and contribute to the economic development of the region.”