Barranquilla clears the final step to take over the land side of the Ernesto Cortissoz: The City Council approved 40 billion pesos and a presidential announcement is expected

NewsFacade of the Ernesto Cortissoz Airport. Photo: EL TIEMPO30.09.2026 16:01 Updated: 30.09.2026 16:01 Barranquilla came one step closer this Wednesday to taking over the administration of the landside of the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, after the district council approved the draft agreement authorizing Mayor Alejandro Char to sign agreements with the national government and commit resources of 40 billion pesos to intervene in the air terminal. READ ALSO The initiative was backed by 19 votes in favor and represents the institutional endorsement the district administration needed to move forward with formalizing the agreement with the Nation, a process that could reach its climax next Thursday with an announcement by President Abelardo De la Espriella from the airport itself. The council's decision comes just two weeks after Char publicly reiterated his interest in Barranquilla taking over the airport's operation, and five days after it was reported that the national government had reportedly given the green light to the process of handing over management of the terminal's landside component. The remaining stepThe authorization approved by the Council allows the District to carry out the necessary legal procedures to enter into agreements, contracts, or other instruments with the national government and the Civil Aeronautics Authority related to the administration, operation, maintenance, conservation, and improvement of the airport's landside. Ernesto Cortissoz Airport in Barranquilla. Photo: AerocivilOf the total authorized, 15 billion pesos correspond to resources from the 2026 fiscal year, while the remaining 25 billion pesos may be executed through future 2027 appropriations. Mauricio Villafañez, president of the Barranquilla Council, explained that the decision formally enables the district administration to sit down with the government and finalize the scheme under which the operation of the terminal's landside infrastructure would be assumed. The approval was considered a fundamental condition for materializing the proposal promoted by the Mayor's Office, since it will make it possible to financially back the investments the airport requires should the agreement with the Nation be finalized. The works the District is planningAmong the planned interventions are the expansion of the international zone through the construction of two new halls, adaptations in the Migration area, and other works aimed at improving the passenger experience. Would take over the landside. Photo: EL TIEMPOAn intervention on the air conditioning system is also contemplated, one of the aspects that has generated the most complaints from travelers in recent months due to recurring problems with air conditioning in different areas of the terminal. As stated during the discussion of the project, the investment would include about 160 tons of additional cooling capacity, along with other adaptations necessary to optimize the airport's operation. The works seek to address needs that the District itself has pointed out since the beginning of the year, related to capacity, user comfort, airport services, and preparation for the growth of international air traffic. A yearlong requestIn February of this year, the Mayor's Office had filed a formal request with the Civil Aeronautics Authority and the Ministry of Transport to take over the operation, maintenance, and execution of pending works at the air terminal, arguing that it had the technical, administrative, and financial capacity to do so. President Abelardo De La Espriella and Barranquilla Mayor Alejandro Char. Photo: Barranquilla Mayor's OfficeThat proposal did not move forward under the previous national government. However, on September 15, Char once again publicly insisted on the initiative and asked President Abelardo De la Espriella to hand over the airport's operation to the city. Days later, details began to emerge of a possible agreement between the District and the Nation to transfer management of the landside, which includes spaces such as the passenger terminal, access zones, commercial areas, complementary services, and baggage handling. With the Council's approval, the District is now enabled to move forward with signing the agreement that would formalize the new administration model. Expectations now center on the announcement President Abelardo De la Espriella would make this Thursday from the Ernesto Cortissoz, an event that would serve to officially confirm a decision Barranquilla has been working on for months and that could mark the beginning of a new stage for the main air terminal of Atlántico. READ ALSO If finalized, the city would assume a direct role in the operation of an infrastructure that currently handles about 3.6 million passengers a year and is considered a strategic piece for the tourism, commercial, and international expansion plans of Barranquilla and the Colombian Caribbean. You might also be interested in:#ColombiaNews #BreakingNews Photo: EL TIEMPO Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. 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