The impact of thermal comfort in the perceived level of service and energy costs of three Brazilian airports

To evaluate airports’ current thermal comfort temperature and humidity were registered in three main Brazilian international airports, other variables were local region climate characteristics and the constructive types of passenger terminal buildings. The Brazilian air transportation demand has considerably grown over the last decade, with some airports reaching their capacity. Thermal discomfort may be a key driver of passenger perceptions of airport service levels, specially under capacity overload situations. Therefore, to achieve airport thermal comfort within this new scenario, and with the imminent and future expansions of the airport system, certainly put extra work on the existing air conditioning systems, consequently increasing energy consumption and its associated costs. Collected temperature and humidity from each study case subsided the data for the psychrometric charts. The evidences showed temperatures below the international standards requirements for thermal comfort levels. These charts also indicated that adequate building types with natural air circulation, provides the best levels of thermal comfort. Results suggest the importance of considering the implementation of a combined system using artificial and natural air conditioning in the planning of future expansions.