Following a public tender, Swiss operator Flughafen Zürich has won the concession to operate Natal Airport (NAT) in the northeast of Brazil.

Natal Airport, which handled approximately 2.3 million passengers in 2022, complements the existing portfolio of Flughafen Zürich in Brazil, which consists of majority holdings in Florianópolis, Vitória and Macaé airports. 

After signing the concession agreement, which is scheduled for the end of 2023, Flughafen Zürich will hold 100% of the airport and operate it for a concession period of 30 years. No expansion investments (growth CAPEX) are required during the concession period and only minor replacement investments (maintenance CAPEX) are pending. The airport currently has a capacity of around 6.5 million passengers per year. In connection with the concession agreement, an upfront payment of BRL 320m (approximately €60.75m) will be due. Additionally, Flughafen Zürich will pay a yearly revenue-based fee starting on the fifth anniversary of signing the concession agreement. 

After taking over operational responsibility at the beginning of 2024, Flughafen Zürich estimates an additional EBITDA contribution in the high single-digit million range in Swiss francs (CHF) at group level. 

Image: Flughafen Zürich