Let the games begin: thyssenkrupp completes modernization work at one of the largest airports in Brazil

• 118 elevators, escalators, moving walks and passenger boarding bridges installed at the RIOgaleão International airport in Rio de Janeiro help to shape world class infrastructure
• Delivery and installation within 13 months without disruption to regular airport operations
• Airport ready to receive the 1.5 million passengers expected for the games

Nearly two months ahead of the start of the world’s greatest sports event, modernization work at one of Brazil’s largest airport has been completed. Soon, 25 elevators, 21 escalators, 14 moving walks and 58 passenger boarding bridges supplied by thyssenkrupp will ensure quick and convenient transportation for over 17 million passengers who visit the RIOgaleão airport every year.

The modernization work was completed in 13 months; the tight schedule meant that delivery and installation of the equipment took place in record fashion, with many new units installed while regular airport operations continued uninterrupted. “Modern airports are vital global hubs, and for major events, efficient and safe transportation of visitors is one of the biggest challenges. We are proud to have played an important part in addressing this challenge by modernizing RIOgaleão’s mobility infrastructure and helping to ensure the success of the games in Brazil,” says Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator.

The airport’s newly built Terminal 3 now houses the longest moving walk in Latin America, measuring 100 meters. In addition, the new passenger boarding bridges use innovative safety technologies – a first in Brazil: They feature a European-standard automated docking system that allows precise measurement of gaps and minimizes damage to the aircraft. This is particularly important when handling the world’s biggest passenger aircraft, the A380, as at least two bridges are needed per aircraft. RIOgaleão is the only airport in Brazil able to receive an aircraft of this size.

Positive effects of the airport’s modernization are already visible; new airlines have added the airport to their schedules, while existing users such as Lufthansa are increasing the frequency of their flights to and from Rio. In this year, the airline hopes that its passenger numbers will increase from 6 million to 6.5 million per year.

About thyssenkrupp

thyssenkrupp is a diversified industrial group with traditional strengths in materials and a growing share of capital goods and services businesses. Around 155,000 employees in nearly 80 countries work with passion and technological expertise to develop high-quality products and intelligent industrial processes and services for sustainable progress. Their skills and commitment are the basis of our success. In fiscal year 2014/2015 thyssenkrupp generated sales of around €43 billion.

Together with our customers we develop competitive solutions for the challenges of the future in the areas Mechanical, Plant and Materials. With our engineering expertise we enable our customers to gain an edge in the global market and manufacture innovative products in a cost- and resource-friendly way. For us, technical progress and innovations, allied with the combined strength of the Group, are key factors enabling us to meet current and future customer and market requirements around the world, grow on the markets of the future, and generate strong and stable earnings, cash flows and value growth.