Construction process for new international airport begins in Bahia

Progress towards the construction of a new international airport is generating expectations on the coast of Bahia. To reduce air traffic overload in the south of Bahia, the city of Santa Cruz Cabrália, neighboring Porto Seguro, will gain the Costa do Descobrimento International Airport.

One year after the announcement of the work, the bidding process has finally begun and will hire the company responsible for preparing the airport’s engineering design. The opening of envelopes with proposals from interested parties will begin on May 16th, informed the Bahia Infrastructure Secretariat (Seinfra).

It is important to say that the Discovery Coast is one of the main tourist regions in Bahia, as it is surrounded by natural attractions such as beaches, bays, coral reefs, mangroves and navigable rivers. With the new airport, the expectation is that the number of flights will be increased, which should facilitate access to Porto Seguro and its famous districts Arraial d’Ajuda, Trancoso and Caraíva.

New international airport

According to the state government, Costa do Descobrimento International Airport will have a landing and take-off runway 3,000 meters long and 45 meters wide, to be able to receive national and international flights. The expectation is that the passenger terminal will be 300m² and the total investment in the work will be R$1.5 billion.

“The construction of a new airport in the region will contribute to the development of tourism and the national and international transport of cargo, such as fish and lobsters”, informed the ministry.

Once ready, the new airport intends to replace the current one in Porto Seguro, which cannot be expanded due to the growth of the urban network and is located 23 km from Santa Cruz de Cabrália.

According to Seinfra, the expectation is that the works to implement the airport will last five years after the start of the concession. During the period, the company that wins the bid will be responsible for managing Porto Seguro Airport.

The next stage of the bidding will be the auction to define which company will be responsible for implementing and concessioning the airport for a period of 30 years. It should take place in October.