Brazil Pushes New International Flights to Lock In Record Tourism Momentum

Key Points

• 64 new international routes and 16 extra weekly frequencies are cleared for February–September 2026.
• Guarulhos leads the surge, while Salvador and Rio regain links and new entrants test demand.
• Fee discounts and seat-linked marketing support aim to add capacity without open-ended public spending.

A January 20 bulletin says regulators and partner airlines have approved 64 new international routes. It also adds 16 weekly frequencies for February through September 2026.

The plan spans legacy networks and budget challengers. Listed carriers include Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Iberia, TAP, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Air Transat, JetSmart, and Flybondi.

Capacity remains hub-heavy. São Paulo/Guarulhos accounts for 51.37% of Brazil’s international flights. Rio de Janeiro follows with 22.56%, while Florianópolis holds 6.44%.

Several changes are already dated. Qatar Airways adds three weekly frequencies from February, lifting Doha–São Paulo to 10 flights per week.

LATAM plans a five-times-weekly Guarulhos–Punta Cana nonstop starting July 2, 2026. The bulletin also flags seven extra São Paulo–Bariloche flights from July to meet winter demand.

Tourism recovery boosts international connectivity

The government is also leaning on secondary hubs. Copa restored Panama City–Salvador on January 7, 2026, with four weekly frequencies, reconnecting the Northeast to Copa’s Panama hub.

Air Transat enters the Brazil market with seasonal nonstops to Rio de Janeiro. Flights from Toronto and Montreal start in early February 2026. Officials also point to forward planning for Cape Town–São Paulo, with schedule listings extended through late 2026.

The push follows a record 2025. Officials report 9.3 million foreign tourist arrivals and 129.6 million total airline passengers. International passengers reached 28.4 million, up 13.4%.

In December, international capacity stood 36.7% above October 2019 levels, with 6,811 international flights, up 10% from December 2024.

Officials credit incentives, including discounts on airport and navigation fees and marketing support set at R$40 ($7) per added inbound seat. For businesses and tour operators, more nonstops can cut layover costs and planning risk.

Big events are looming, including a women’s World Cup bid. Belém is also preparing for a major climate conference. Steady seat growth is becoming a test of execution.

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