Fraport takes over operations at Brazil’s Jericoacoara Airport

International

The airport serving one of northeastern Brazil’s leading tourism regions becomes Fraport’s third operation in the country, with modernisation investments planned over the next three years

Fraport has officially taken over operations at Jericoacoara Airport in northeastern Brazil, expanding its presence in the country to three airports. The facility will be managed by Fraport Brasil S.A. Aeroporto de Fortaleza, the wholly owned Fraport subsidiary that already operates Fortaleza Airport.

Jericoacoara Airport has been incorporated into the existing Fortaleza concession, which runs until 2047. The agreement covers the passenger terminal as well as other landside and airside infrastructure, including retail and parking facilities. Fraport has also committed to investing in the airport’s modernisation over the next three years.

Jericoacoara joins the Fortaleza concession

The concession was awarded under the Brazilian government’s AmpliAR programme, which is designed to integrate regional airports into existing airport concessions.

According to Andreea Pal, Chief Executive Officer of Fraport Brasil, Jericoacoara complements the company’s existing airport portfolio and creates additional development opportunities within the Fortaleza concession. The planned modernisation is intended to provide a basis for sustainable growth while improving access to one of Brazil’s most popular tourism destinations.

Fraport also expects the investment to support the wider economic and tourism development of the region.

Passenger numbers rose 23 percent in 2025

Jericoacoara Airport handled around 260,000 passengers in 2025, an increase of 23 percent compared with the previous year.

The airport has a 2,200-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway and is served by Brazil’s three major airlines, LATAM, GOL and Azul.

Its importance is closely linked to the surrounding tourism region. Jericoacoara, commonly known as “Jeri”, is known for extensive beaches, dune landscapes and lagoons. Constant trade winds have also established the area as a popular destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Modernisation planned within three years

Fraport Brasil is expected to invest in upgrading the airport during the first three years of its operation. The concession encompasses both aviation infrastructure and commercial areas, giving the company scope to develop the passenger experience alongside operational facilities.

The combination of rapidly growing passenger numbers and a well-established leisure destination gives the airport further development potential. Its integration into the Fortaleza concession also creates opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity.

Fraport expands Brazilian portfolio to three airports

Fraport has been active in Brazil since 2017. Until now, the group operated Fortaleza and Porto Alegre airports under two separate concessions.

Both airports have undergone modernisation and further development since Fraport entered the Brazilian market. With Jericoacoara joining the Fortaleza concession, the German airport operator now manages three Brazilian airports and extends its footprint further into the country’s tourism-driven northeast.