Brazil has launched a crucial auction process for investors ahead of the sale of Galeão International Airport (GIG) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ministry of Ports and Airports is holding in-person and virtual meetings this week to target new investors for the auction on March 30. The government is seeking a new operator for the busy gateway, which served 17.5 million passengers in 2025.
The Auction Terms
The auction will use a special “assisted sale” model. The starting bid is set at 932 million Brazilian Real (about $178 million). The company that wins will also have to pay Brazil 20% of the airport’s yearly revenue until 2039. This means the government’s earnings are tied to how well the airport performs.
The Ministry of Ports and Airports stated that:
“There are currently companies in the market with sufficient maturity and capacity to take part in the auction,” noting participation in the auction does not indicate determined interest.
Change of Ownership
The airport is currently run by a group called RIOgaleão, which has gone through significant ownership changes recently. While originally led by Singapore’s Changi Airports, France’s Vinci Compass now holds the largest share after a deal last year. State-owned Infraero still owns the remaining 49% but is contractually obligated to leave after the auction.
The process is open to new companies as well as the current owners. The government hopes this sale will help Galeão, Brazil’s second-busiest international airport, grow and attract more airlines in the future. The result of the March auction will be a key benchmark for Brazil’s plans to sell more airports and ports this year.
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