El Dorado, the main air terminal in Colombia and one of the largest movement in Latin America, prepares for an extension process that seeks to respond to the increase in aerial demand. The El Dorado Max (Edmax) project plans to increase the capacity to 73 million passengers per year, duplicate the terminal area and modernize the load operation. The investment will be US $ 2.5 billion under the public-private association model, with 104 infrastructure interventions and the commitment to operate with carbon neutrality.
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The interventions contemplate improvements in the passenger terminal, expansion of parking positions, adjustments in the load terminal and new access roads. According to promoters, the objective is “Maximize airport infrastructure, in a flexible and balanced way for expected growth.”
The proposal was presented as a private initiative in the APP scheme, which does not contemplate contributions from public resources. During 2024 workshops were held with communities, environmental diagnoses and the filing of feasibility studies in October. On December 3 of that year, the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) awarded the hiring of the independent evaluator to the El Dorado airport consulting consortium.
On April 1, 2025, the public hearing was held at the Virgilio Barco de Bogotá Library. At the moment, The project is under integral evaluation, a process in which a consultant will define within nine months the viability of the initiative.
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Golden IP render Edmax
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What will the work be like?
The project includes the reconfiguration of 26th Street with an exchanger in race 103, the elevation of high mixed lanes and returns to facilitate the entry and exit of vehicles. The extension of 63th Street – Avenida Mutis, which will work as additional access by the west of Bogotá. These interventions seek to reduce airport access times and decongest current roads.
Inside the airport, A new passenger building will be built that will serve as the terminal nucleus. The design contemplates the integration of air and land transport, which will allow intermodality with Transmilenio, Ciclorutas and private transportation. The objective, according to the project, is “Facilitate access in all forms of transport, improve mobility and reduce congestion.”
The works also include duplicating the area of the passenger terminal, modernizing the load terminal and expanding parking positions for aircraft. A 30% growth in parking positions, 92% in approach bridges and 90% in vehicle parking spaces is expected. In addition, 5 kilometers of roads with high steps and new returns will be extended.
In terms of operational efficiency, it is planned to reduce the track occupation times by 38%, increase load capacity by 14% and extend the track length by 21%. These interventions seek to optimize air operation and flight care.
The plan also contemplates an environmental component. El Dorado will become the first airport in the region with neutral carbon operation. For this, The Classification and Solid Waste’s Use Station will be expanded in order to reach 85% use. Rain -waters will be increased by 112% for use in toilets and cleaning. In addition, the generation of renewable energy and the management of liquid and solid waste will be strengthened.
In the technological field, Drones control and detection systems, advanced monitoring and automated safety filters with scanners will be implemented. This is expected to improve security and expedite passenger and load processes.
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Golden IP render Edmax
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Economic and social impact
According to estimates, the development of Edmax will generate more than 7,300 direct jobs in its different phases, with priority in the hiring of local talent. The Plan also includes an investment of 47,000 million Colombian pesos in social infrastructure in the area of influence.
The projections include a 30% increase in parking positions, 92% in approach bridges and 90% in parking spaces for vehicles. The access roads will be added 5 kilometers with high steps, returns, extension of the Transmilenio and Ciclorutas system.
El Dorado currently occupies the 20th place among the main air hubss of the world and is the first in Latin America. Its location in the center of the region is considered strategic to consolidate the role of Colombia in air connectivity.
The promoters emphasize that the project seeks “Attending the dynamism of the tourism, economic and commercial sector, which requires strategies to potentiate Colombia’s competitiveness.”
The projections estimate that the airport will be able to absorb the expected growth of operations in the next decade, thanks to the expansion of areas, modernization of equipment and new land connections. According to official planning, Edmax is “A flexible infrastructure project to future challenges that may arise in both air traffic and terrestrial connectivity.”
Paula Galeano Balaguera
Portfolio journalist
