Turning Jet Blast into Opportunity: The Origin Story of Vortex Deflector
Situated in a remote mountainous region of Latin America, where narrow roads and no trains limited growth, an airport was about to change everything. By opening a new international terminal, it intended to bring prosperity and opportunity to the entire region. But there was a challenge.
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The airport’s U-shaped design made moving aircraft to the new terminal complex and inefficient. Planes required lengthy towing, which wasted valuable fuel and time.
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A traditional jet blast deflector was one choice, but behind it, would only allow room for one aircraft, making operations tight and turning the expansion into a logistical challenge.
A call:
In 2017, we got the call. The airport team was searching for a solution—a way to control the powerful jet blast, that hurricane-like wind that roars from jet engines as they roll toward the runway. They needed an aerodynamic answer, something innovative that would reshape not just the jet blast, but also opportunities.
At the time, two of our founders were professors at UPB University's Department of Aeronautical Engineering, specializing in aerodynamics and materials science. Their curiosity had been piqued by nature’s own aerodynamic experts: birds and insects.
Inspired by recent discoveries of how these creatures direct air through vortices and circulation to get outstanding performance, we got to work in the lab and designed a new jet-blast control structure that took its cues from nature itself.
What we developed was more than a jet-blast solution; it was a curved metal wall that did more than protect—it created possibilities. This new shape cut down noise, improved fuel efficiency, and optimized airport ground operations in ways we hadn’t imagined.
The benefits were transformative:
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Towing distances dropped from 300 meters to 150 meters.
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Towing time shrank from 8 minutes to just 4—cutting the process in half.
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And now, up to three aircraft can park behind the new barrier, which triples capacity.
What began as an engineering passion project soon grew into a mission to reshape airport efficiency and capacity. As Vortex Deflector, our company of international experts in aeronautics, materials, and engineering set out to empower airports with cost-effective, high-impact solutions.
Our journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In addition to moments of success, we've also faced setbacks:
In 2017, Ruta N, an innovation-focused organization, backed our project, helping us secure a grant to file our first patent in Colombia.
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The Newton-Caldas Fund recognized our work, enabling us to train in London and become part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Leaders in Innovation.
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By 2019, we’d received a grant from Colciencias to file an international patent in the U.S.
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In 2020, ANDI and Revista DINERO honored us as one of Colombia’s most innovative companies.
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Our project gained national media attention in outlets like El Tiempo and El Espectador.
When COVID-19 shut down aviation, it was a critical blow. We were at a growth stage, and the freeze in air travel set us back. Yet, we emerged stronger, expanding our network, incorporating in the United States, and taking on projects internationally.
Today, Vortex Deflector is a global leader in airport efficiency, helping airports to:
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Alleviate space limitations due to city expansions.
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Improve operational efficiency by over 6%, enabling four to eight extra flights per terminal.
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Reduce noise by around 20 dB, making a meaningful difference for neighboring communities.
Looking forward, we’re excited to continue our mission, enabling airports worldwide to handle more passengers with fewer resources, boosting profitability while minimizing environmental impact.
