Salvador Airport awarded the Seal of Ethnic-Racial Diversity for four years in a row
Salvador Bahia Airport, a member of the VINCI Airports network, has been granted the Seal of Ethnic-Racial Diversity, by which the Salvador’s Municipal Department of Reparation recognizes organizations that develop initiatives to fight institutional racism.
In line with VINCI Airports policy of promoting a diverse work environment, since the first days of the administration, Salvador Bahia Airport has implemented the monitoring of employee profiles through a census and adopted processes to increase the hiring of afro-descendant professionals. In addition, it carries out training to terminate unconscious biases and an annual calendar of actions aimed at valuing diversity and promoting an inclusive work environment.
In 2018, the airport created the Diversity Committee, which aims to debate the topic and propose actions to fight discrimination at the institution. Over the years, several initiatives have been carried out. In 2021 Project Elas no Controle (Women in Control), took place in March, celebrating women’s month by debating their challenges during the pandemic. Several experts were invited to give lectures during the month, with an emphasis on the topic “Sexism, racism and the pandemic: the challenges for human rights”.
Through Black Consciousness Month, Salvador Bahia Airport hosted internal training for employees and the airport community and promoted the African American Business Road Show, a fair that encourages African American entrepreneurship. The event featured a roundtable on “Diversity and multiculturalism from a business perspective” and an exhibition of products from Afro-entrepreneurs for companies that hold businesses at the airport.
“The airport is a place that brings in itself this perspective on the plurality of cultures, perspectives, ways of seeing the world. For us, making this space increasingly inclusive and a reflection of diversity is essential. This certification proves that our efforts are in the right direction, embracing VINCI Airports policy, especially when we operate over 45 airports around the globe”, says Isabela Dantas, Human Resources manager at Salvador Bahia Airport.
Located in Salvador, capital of Bahia and the first Brazilian capital, Salvador Bahia Airport has been part of the VINCI Airports network since January 2, 2018 through a 30year Concession Contract. Since then, the airport has incorporated global operating standards, seeking to deliver more efficiency, safety and a better travel experience for its passengers. With this objective, works were carried out to modernize and expand the passenger terminal, an investment of R$ 700 million that increased its capacity by 50%, from 10 million to 15 million passengers per year. Named as the “Most Sustainable Airport in Brazil” for the second year in a row, Salvador Bahia Airport stands out for its pioneering spirit in environmental preservation actions.
VINCI Airports, the leading private airport operator in the world, manages 45 airports in 12 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. We harness our expertise a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, while leveraging our investment capability and expertise in optimising operational performance, modernising infrastructure and driving environmental transition. VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to start rolling out an international environmental strategy, in 2016, with a view to achieving net zero emissions throughout its network by 2050.
