Panel SA: Request to increase flights in Congonhas raises tension in the sector

Tension rose in the air sector in view of the imminence of an increase in the number of takeoffs and landings in Congonhas.

For now, Anac wants additional information from Infraero, which requested the expansion. The state-owned company sent a preliminary document and should complement it in the coming days.

The request is being evaluated from the point of view of airport infrastructure and not operational capacity, according to those accompanying the process.

The analysis includes updating the noise plan and issues involving mats and tracks.

All this movement takes place on the eve of the terminal auction, scheduled for August. As the Panel SA anticipated, the conversations about increasing the slot (departure and arrival times) in Congonhas cause a struggle in the sector.

The measure fuels the dispute between airlines: while some fight to gain space with new slots, others make it difficult for competition to enter. At this moment so close to the auction, the debate is also interpreted as an intention to make the asset more attractive to potential investors.

Industry executives say that the airport has space to receive more flights, as long as they do not enter during peak hours, because they could create bottlenecks in stairs, parking lots, restaurants and access to the terminal.

On the other hand, those who follow the study argue that Brazilian airports operate with 90% capacity and 10% fat to give a slack in adverse situations related to the weather, but Congonhas would still have 15% fat.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins and Gilmara Santos