Manaus Airport receives national award for air conditioning system that aligns comfort, efficiency, and sustainability

• Project was recognized in an award granted by Smacna Brasil/Abrava, in October;

• Revitalization of the entire thermal comfort system was part of the airport's investment improvement package;

• Water reuse, temperature and humidity control, and microbiological air filtration are some of the system's benefits.

Manaus Airport, managed by Concessionária dos Aeroportos da Amazônia, part of the VINCI Airports network, had its air conditioning system modernization project nationally recognized and won the 2025 Highlights of the Year Award, granted in October by Smacna Brasil/Abrava. The project was highlighted as an example of technical efficiency and innovation in the sector, aligning comfort and sustainability.

Among the advancements generated by the new system is a reduction of up to 40% in electricity consumption, with separation of water circuits and intelligent automation, and the implementation of reuse of condensed water from chillers and rainwater harvesting, reducing waste. 

The system's implementation involved cutting-edge engineering work, adapted to the Amazonian climate, ensuring greater thermal comfort for airport users, lower energy consumption, and a reduction in carbon footprint, measures fully aligned with the company's environmental commitments. As a result, the terminal reduced temperatures in the environments and achieved a relative humidity of 50% to 60%, ensuring comfort and well-being in an equatorial climate.

Part of the airport's modernization works package completed by the concessionaire in 2024, the retrofit was executed with the airport operating 24/7, without affecting departures or arrivals. 

The implemented project allows for the reuse of condensed water, temperature and humidity control, and microbiological air filtration, with the DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System), which treats 100% of the outdoor air, ensuring indoor air quality and environmental health. In total, there were about 2.7 tons of refrigeration with the capacity to cover up to 80,000 square meters. 

The project was the only one from the Northern Region among the six national winners and also stood out for its uninterrupted execution and focus on energy efficiency and indoor air quality. In addition to Concessionária dos Aeroportos da Amazônia, MSA Projetos e Consultoria, Midea Carrier, and Artemp Engenharia participated in the implementation.

Manaus Airport also received, at the end of last year, the international Green Airport award, granted by Airports Council International (ACI-LAC), for the sustainability program that includes rainwater and condensed water harvesting from the air conditioning system, resulting in a reduction of up to 44% in water consumption, equivalent to 50 Olympic swimming pools per year.

Manaus Airport Operations Manager, Overlach Campos, highlights: “This project is a practical proof that we can combine technology and innovation for more efficient and sustainable operations. With it, we also managed to transform the passenger experience, providing environments with much more pleasant temperatures in such a challenging climate scenario as Manaus.”