Background:

Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the country’s fourth busiest airport pre-Covid, and the main international gateway into the country’s top tourism spots. In November 2013, a CAI-led consortium won the rights to a 25-year concession for the expansion, maintenance and development of the airport.

GIG would soon play a critical role in Brazil’s history, as it welcomed the world in one of the biggest international sporting events: 2016 Summer Olympics (Rio 2016).

Problem:

There was a slew of challenges to tackle. Aging infrastructure, limited capacity, lagging processes, and a lack of commercial offerings. The task on hand was apparent: To transform GIG into a world-class facility in time for the Olympics and create the finest first impression global visitors would have of Brazil.

Solutions:

• CAI and its Brazilian counterparts introduced operations and service enhancements, including new customer service counters, travellators and escalators, and landscaping, to uplift passenger experience. 

• Airport capacity was boosted with a new 100,000-sqm concourse, 26 contact gates, and additional aircraft stands. A new multi-storey car park was also added for passengers’ and visitors’ convenience. 

• Within the terminal, the team reconfigured the layout and passenger flow to smoothen passenger journey and optimise space. The commercial area within the same terminal doubled, and seven new VIP lounges were established.  

• The team also selected a new advertising operator to consolidate and refresh all advertising spaces.

• To further uncover passengers’ shopping and dining needs in the airport, the team conducted passenger survey and focus groups. Over 100 new retail and F&B outlets, including specialty shops, were brought in. To up the game, GIG inaugurated an 8,000-sqm walk-through duty-free store, the first in Brazil. 

Results:

• The team successfully overhauled GIG’s non-aeronautical business. GIG achieved the highest yield per pax among Brazilian airports. It also more than doubled the non-aeronautical revenue per pax within four years of taking over the concession. 

• In August 2016, GIG successfully hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. It handled an unprecedented number of travellers and registered the highest sales in its stores and restaurants. Travellers and media praised GIG, describing the airport journey as seamless and magical. 

Related Awards: 

• In 2017, GIG was named the Best Airport for Operational Efficiency in Latin America, and Most Punctual Airport in Latin America (10-20 mppa) by OAG Aviation Worldwide. 

• In 2019, GIG was voted the sixth Best Airport in South America by Skytrax.