U.K. Company Alumasc Brings Modern Drainage Solutions to LATAM Airports

By Jerald Pate, CEO of JP Mundo & Chairman of TMAC – The Modern Airport Conference

Climate change continues to confound airport planners when considering upgrades to grading and drainage, water retention, and the ongoing prospect of more severe threats from weather and natural disasters. Airports are increasingly in the crosshairs of Mother Nature. Older airports built decades ago with outdated site planning have an increased risk of disruption. A recent example of extreme weather is Salgado Filho International Airport in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, one of the country’s busiest where unprecedented floods in the region flooded the airport and entire community, disrupting flights from May until October. Airports must now implore civil engineers, planners, local authorities, and regional stakeholders to update the landscape and areas surrounding airports, investing in resilient infrastructure solutions that include modern airside and runway drainage systems. Two recent examples of investments in modern drainage systems involve Bogota’s El Dorado and Lima’s Jorge Chavez Airports.

Expansion of the Avianca Hangar - El Dorado Airport, Bogotá, Colombia​

The expansion of Avianca’s hangar area at El Dorado Airport, Colombia’s most important airport, has been completed with the supply and installation of an “UltraSlot” drainage system, developed and produced by the U.K. company Gatic through its’ dealer Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS).

New Terminal – Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima, Peru

The new Jorge Chávez Airport in Peru has been designed as a cornerstone for connectivity in South America. In this project, Gatic played an essential role by incorporating the advanced UltraSlot drainage system, engineered to support the high-bearing loads required in operational areas, including airside and aircraft parking zones. This system was validated by the reputable Spanish engineering firm CEMOSA, which certified its effectiveness. The airport construction was led by SACYR under the INTIPUNKU consortium, marking one of the region’s most ambitious and technically complex projects.

UltraSlot Specifications and Project Details

UltraSlot provides not only high rainwater drainage capacity but also offers durability in heavy and slow-moving traffic infrastructure, essential for uninterrupted operation in a large-scale airport environment. This system minimizes maintenance costs while ensuring reliable, long-lasting performance.

System Certifications

  • ISO 9001: Recognized standard for product improvement and manufacturing quality.
  • EN 1433: European standard for drainage channels in vehicular and pedestrian areas, classifying loads from A15 to F900.
  • BS EN 877: Ensures quality and testing methods for cast iron pipes, joints, and fittings for water evacuation in buildings.
  • EN 1433:2002: Independent load testing up to F900.

    • The products are designed for areas with extreme temperatures, ensuring lasting performance when installed per the manufacturer’s recommendations. The range includes grates and covers in various designs, with a safety option for areas with high pedestrian traffic.

    Alumasc will be participating as a sponsor partner in T.M.A.C. – The Modern Airport Conference

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