Zurich Airport Brazil celebrates 6 years managing Vitória Airport and consolidates the terminal as one of the best in Brazil
Six years ago, Zurich Airport Brasil took over the management of Vitória Airport with the mission of enhancing the passenger experience and boosting regional development. Since then, the concessionaire has been transforming the airport into a strategic hub for business and growth.
An example of this is the passenger traffic figures for 2025, the year in which the terminal reached its highest historical traffic, with more than 3.5 million travelers. This result was driven by partnerships such as that with the State Government, which promoted tax incentives to expand connectivity and foster tourism in the state.
The real estate expansion plan, supported by the municipal government, is another milestone: after in-depth research and studies of improvements and the need for new developments in the region, a project was developed that includes more than 1 million m² dedicated to services, retail, logistics, hospitality, and events. Since then, 16 new developments have been inaugurated, are under construction, or are in development, totaling approximately R$ 2 billion in investments and generating around 4,000 direct jobs. The most recent inauguration was the American School's Airport Campus in November 2025, with an investment of R$ 130 million.
"Vitória Airport is today a driver of development for Espírito Santo and a space that offers increasingly higher quality and comfort to passengers. Our commitment is to continue expanding opportunities and connectivity," says Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brazil.
Zurich Airport Brazil's strategy goes beyond infrastructure. The concessionaire invests in solutions that improve the passenger experience. In this aspect, the diversification and qualification of the commercial mix is one of the highlights. In the last 6 years, the number of establishments has grown by 110%. With stores of national and international caliber, offering services, products and gastronomic options with a mix of Brazilian brands and local initiatives. During this period, the concessionaire also focused its attention on the frequent flyer, expanding more exclusive and private options. Among them, the installation of the airport's first VIP lounge and the creation of an exclusive area in the VIP parking stand out, a result of Zurich Airport's investment in parking management, generating even more synergy with other passenger experience initiatives.
With a focus on inclusion, the airport pioneered the opening, in 2023, of the first Multisensory Room in Brazil for neurodivergent people. In 2024, it created the Priority Assistance Space, guaranteeing comfort and privacy for those using priority service.
In terms of sustainability, a highlight is the system implemented in 2024 that provides renewable electricity to aircraft on the ground, preventing the emission of 5,000 tons of CO₂ and reducing costs to date – an investment of R$ 8 million. In the same year, the planting of 16,000 seedlings of native species was completed in areas located within the airport site and at Curva da Jurema, one of the most emblematic leisure spaces for the people of Espírito Santo. This action was part of the coastal vegetation recovery program to compensate for the impacts generated by the construction of the new terminal, carried out by the previous administration.
The commitment to the environment has earned international recognition: Vitória Airport received the Green Airport Recognition 2025 from ACI-LAC for the Safe Skies project, which combines operational safety and environmental conservation through the monitoring and relocation of birds that pose a risk of collision with aircraft.
These advancements have secured Vitória Airport a prominent position in the Aviation + Brazil Award – which recognizes the best airports in the country – for the past three years. Since 2023 – when it was also elected the most punctual airport in Brazil in its category – the terminal has held second place in the sector's most important award. The top spot for the past five years has been held by Florianópolis International Airport, also managed by Zurich Airport Brasil.
Currently, one of the main focuses is the growth of tourism in Espírito Santo, worked on in conjunction with state and municipal governments through marketing actions, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships with airlines. In this context, Zurich Airport Brasil focuses its actions on regional development and attracting new flights, directly contributing to increased connectivity and strengthening local tourism.