Bahia plans US$1.4bn concession for new int'l airport

Brazil's Bahia state is planning a concession for the construction and operation of a new international airport (pictured).

On Tuesday, state authorities were scheduled to present the 7.6bn-real (US$1.41bn) project to potential investors at a road show, with the expectation of issuing the tender notice next month.

The plan is to build the airport in a region known as Costa do Descobrimento (discovery coast), a tourist area comprising the municipalities of Porto Seguro, Santa Cruz Cabrália and Belmonte. 

The goal is to boost the region’s capacity to receive more international flights, especially from Europe and the US. 

"Porto Seguro airport is one of the busiest regional terminals in Brazil, occupying third place in the northeast. With the urban growth of the surroundings, it is not possible to expand the structure or receive flights from other continents," said Marcus Cavalcanti, Bahia’s infrastructure secretary.

The concession contract will have a duration of 33 years, with the first five for the construction of the airport, which is expected to see 4mn passengers a year. 

The contract will also include adaptation works and temporary operation of the Porto Seguro airport.