We cannot allow Galeão to be destroyed, says Eduardo Paes – 08/04/2023 – Market

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, again defended this Saturday (8), in a video published on his Twitter profile, the reduction in the number of flights to Santos Dumont airport, aiming to reverse the emptying of Galeão.

In the video, Paes states that the increase in the number of domestic flights by Santos Dumont reduces the amount of international travel by Galeão, which has been facing a slower resumption of demand in the post-pandemic.

“Domestic flights have to connect at Galeão, so that Galeão can attract international flights. Rio, to be Rio, needs an international airport. We cannot let Galeão be destroyed,” said Paes.

The mayor had already demanded the reduction of operations at Santos Dumont. Also on Twitter, Paes criticized Infraero this Friday, after the company changed the airport’s capacity from 9.9 million to 15.2 million passengers, an increase of 54.3%.

In 2022, there were 10.17 million travelers, an increase of 49.5% compared to 2021 and the highest number of a historical series started in 2012.

“Santos Dumont Airport has become the only source of revenue for the state-owned company Infraero! In other words: the more flights, the more revenue. In addition, it helps to make Galeão unfeasible. When Galeão is made unfeasible, the private operator leaves the concession and who takes over? Infraero! With that way, the state-owned company gains one more airport to call its own and earns more revenue. And Rio be damned! Simple as that”, said Paes.

On the same day, the federal government announced that it will limit the number of passengers on Santos Dumont this year. According to the Minister of Ports and Airports, Márcio França, the contingent will be below 10 million in 2023. The measure was praised by Paes.

According to França, the National Secretariat of Civil Aviation is preparing studies with possible actions to increase the number of passengers on Galeão.

“The possibilities will be presented to Governor Cláudio Castro and Mayor Eduardo Paes on the 24th, when a meeting between the three of us is scheduled”, added França.

This year, a working group was created to analyze the scenario of Rio’s terminals. Focused on domestic aviation, Santos Dumont is close to companies located in the center of Rio and tourist attractions in the south zone.

Galeão, in turn, is located on Ilha do Governador and has a larger infrastructure. Access to the international airport, however, is via routes such as the Red Line, a frequent location for traffic jams and cases of urban violence.