Palmerola International Airport (PIA) has now become the new airport operator of Toncontín International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Munich Airport International (MAI) supported PIA with the smooth transition and change of management of the Honduran capital airport. “We are very proud to have reached this important milestone together with our partners and the Government of Honduras for the betterment of airport operations in Tegucigalpa,” states MAI´s Managing Director Dr. Ralf Gaffal.

As part of the airport handover not only the existing operational and technical staff had to be transferred. Also dozens of new employees were trained and familiarized with the airport and its functioning. In addition, MAI and PIA introduced new bio safety protocols, operational processes and infrastructure for rapid implementation of quick-wins and visible improvements. The handover was master-minded by a group of experts from various backgrounds, who tirelessly committed to this major achievement in spite of adversities imposed by the current COVID situation. “Our commitment to Honduras is of utmost importance to our organization and I am honored to be a part of this great collaboration,” said Mr. Martin Kamlah, MAI´s Project Director stationed in Honduras.

As part of the concession agreement between PIA and the Honduran Government in relation to the development of a brand-new international airport in Comayagua, PIA will operate and maintain Toncontín’s facilities and operations together with MAI as strategic partner until the new airport is ready for operations in 2021.

MAI provides expertise in areas of operational efficiency and safety, passenger experience, process efficiency, biosafety processes, airline marketing and commercial strategies. Munich’s experts have been deployed in Honduras for a number of years. They work hand-in-hand with PIA’s management and airport professionals as well as with all Honduras’ aviation stakeholders, following Honduras’ Civil Authority’s directives and guidelines for safe and efficient operations.