Congonhas Airport adopts parking space for ride-hailing cars and hopes to reduce traffic

Congonhas Airport (SP) has implemented a parking lot for ride-hailing apps, starting this Thursday (11). The information was confirmed by Aena Brasil, the concessionaire responsible for the airport complex.

According to the company, the space is located at the main entrance to the airport and has an area of ​​4,000 m² and a capacity for 145 spaces for app-partner drivers to wait for passengers.

Close to the terminal, the area will be open from 4:30 am to 11:30 pm daily, with the aim of reducing traffic in the surrounding area.

Aena expects this improved traffic flow since, with the change, drivers no longer need to drive through the airport’s internal and external roads while waiting for a new trip call on apps (such as Uber and 99).

Boarding will also have changes

According to the concessionaire that manages the airport, by the end of July this year, the number of spaces for boarding passengers in app-based cars will increase by 33%, the airport will have 52 spaces.

According to Aena, the increase is due to a redistribution of existing spaces on the lower floor of the site, where bus spaces will be reduced from seven to two, which allows the creation of 13 new spaces for app cars.

Space enhancement

Aena says it will also improve other spaces in the complex, including:

• The signage and orientation of the curb at the location are intended to facilitate the encounter between drivers and passengers. To this end, the company intends to install boarding areas with certain signs that make it easier for passengers to wait in the exact location where the cars stop, which would improve circulation in the area and reduce waiting times.
• Concentrate taxi spaces on the upper floor of the airport, with seven of the eight spaces currently available being reserved for ride-hailing vehicles, with one permanently adapted for passengers with special needs. The measure is subject to approval by the City of São Paulo and, if approved, the total number of spaces for ride-hailing vehicles on the lower floor would increase to 59.
• The creation of an integration plaza (including shopping areas and waiting lounges) in 2025. Aena expects to start construction in the second half of 2024 and should build around 70 parking spaces on the roof of the current garage building, so that passengers can board their ride-hailing cars. According to the company, cars will be allowed to enter and exit via two new access overpasses and will divert vehicles from the airport’s traffic lanes.

The concessionaire states that all the measures mentioned are carried out with the assistance of the Municipal Secretariat of Mobility and Traffic.

*Under supervision of Bruno Laforé