Dix Aeroportos takes over Búzios airport management

Dix Aeroportos now runs Umberto Modiano Aerodrome and aims to boost executive flights and helicopters, improving mobility and tourism in Búzios.

Dix Aeroportos has been hired by Grupo Modiano to manage the public civil airport in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro. With more than 20 years in the aviation sector, the company takes over operations with a goal of increasing traffic from executive aircraft and helicopters, making it easier for Brazilian and international visitors to travel to the destination.

“We want to position the airport as a driver of regional growth, adding value to local businesses and strengthening the destination as a national and international reference,” says Samuel Prado, CEO of Dix Aeroportos.

Although Búzios is a well-established tourist destination with solid infrastructure, it still faces bottlenecks in logistics connections and mobility. The city is about a four-hour drive from Rio de Janeiro and roughly seven hours from São Paulo, which highlights the importance of improving air access.

Against this backdrop, the new operator’s arrival is seen as positive by airport and tourism stakeholders. Business leaders from other sectors also argue that a modern, qualified facility can support sustainable economic expansion and better serve the region’s frequent visitors.

Track record in key airports

Dix leads the NOA consortium, which manages the international airports of Belém (PA) and Macapá (AP). In Brazil’s Northeast, the company operates terminals in major tourism hubs such as Fernando de Noronha (PE), Jericoacoara (CE) and Canoa Quebrada (CE).

In São Paulo state, Dix operates—through a consortium—11 regional airports, including São José do Rio Preto, Araçatuba and Presidente Prudente.

Expansion plans and new services

“We strongly believe in developing Búzios and its surroundings by creating a robust services hub and boosting the local economy, through joint efforts with the tourism trade, public administration and business leaders from different sectors, including real estate,” says Fábio Fischer, a director at Grupo Agemar, the holding company that controls Dix Aeroportos.

According to Fischer, Búzios Airport’s strategic location makes it suitable for hangars and tailored services for hotels. He also points to value-added arrival services, retail, convention centers and corporate centers, as well as partnerships with real estate companies.

He adds that the strategy includes a renewed approach to domestic and international airlines. The aim is to enable future investments to expand the terminal and accommodate larger aircraft.

For Fischer, operating the airport next to the Aretê real estate complex—and the synergy with the development and Grupo Modiano—signals the start of a new, long-term growth cycle for the Búzios region.

About Grupo Agemar

With 42 years of activity, Grupo Agemar focuses on integrated infrastructure solutions for port operations, airport management, integrated logistics, maritime transport, truck screening yards and related services. The group highlights an “infrastructure as a service” model.