Taking the airport to a new level, today a new inspection channel and boarding gates 3, 4, 5 and 6 were inaugurated.
December 2022, Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Passenger Terminal 1, the only international terminal in Minas Gerais, recently completed its first phase of construction. Consequently, the airport now has a more modern Domestic Departures area, complete with a streamlined inspection channel. It's worth noting that the older section of the Departures Hall, including gates 3, 4, 5 and 6, has also been updated to more closely resemble Passenger Terminal 2.
The aim of the upgrade was to provide the original terminal with the same level of convenience as the new Passenger Terminal 2. Passenger Terminal 1 was built almost 30 years ago and has not undergone a major upgrade until then. The objective of the update and modernization was to create an aesthetically pleasing whole, incorporating new elements to the pre-existing spaces. The consequence can be immediately noticed by passengers trying to board domestic flights”, says Gustavo Anfra, Airport Development manager at BH Airport.
He says one of the best things about the renovation is the architectural blueprint, which attempts to update the building so that it can accommodate modern mobility needs without compromising the integrity of architect Milton Ramos' original vision. With the slogan “From Minas to the World”, the objective of the concept has always been to provide a conceptual framework for the terminal. “I want architecture to be seen as a powerful tool for recognizing and valuing the rich history and culture of Minas Gerais,” he says.
Currently, Terminals 1 and 2 of the airport add up to a total of 26 boarding bridges. Gates 1 to 16 are all located in Terminal 1. Passenger Terminal 2 starts with them and continues to number 17. Built in 2016, it is state-of-the-art and offers travelers an array of amenities.
The commercial space at Passenger Terminal 1 will be expanded as part of a refurbishment project carried out by the Fernandes Arquitetos Associados office. The improvements, which cost around R$100 million, helped consolidate the airport's status as a hub, or flight distribution point, thanks to its advantageous position and extensive road and rail network. Direct flights now connect the terminal to around 50 different cities.
Our aim is to provide our passengers with the best possible service at all times. The completion of this first phase marks a significant milestone on the airport's path to even greater success. Everyone at the airport, from passengers to tourists, can now enjoy better amenities. Furthermore, he notes, “we are increasing our commercial areas by a factor of 100, which is indicative of the variety of our commercial mix”.
Dufry megastore opens operation
One of the novelties, revealed after the first phase of reforms, is the Dufry mega store of almost 1.000 square meters, which is arranged in a passageway format. The building serves as the entrance to the airport's brand new Departures area. The airport's Duty Free contract was recently extended by the industry's dominant travel retail brand through the year 2029. With a current portfolio of ten Duty Free stores, Duty Paid and Hudson News, the company has announced its intention to build three Duty Free locations Paid additional .
Over seventy different companies currently use the airport. More than thirty additional points are planned for 2023. As part of its efforts to diversify its product offering, BH Airport opened 15 new stores in just 11 months that year (2022). New California Coffee, Dufry Vinhos, Dufry Balas and Doog kiosks opened in the domestic terminal in the first half of this year. Pandora, an international jewelry store and new Subway store has just opened in the airport's departure lounge.
Kopenhagen was the latest of the semester's new beginnings to begin in week 2. The airport lounge was the focus of new facility openings during the second semester. Pizza Hut and Rokkon, a Japanese cuisine restaurant, in addition to the newest kiosks at Cacau Show and Goccia Di Latte, have already opened their doors to the public. A wine bar and small restaurant called La Vincola and another Italian gelato called Goccia Di Latte opened in July. In addition, Dufry Express was launched.