Rio’s Galeao Targets Further Long-Haul Expansion

Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG) is positioning itself for a fresh phase of long-haul expansion as global demand for travel to Brazil continues to climb.

“Rio is trending at the moment,” GIG Director of Aero Business Patrick Fehring tells Aviation Week. “We’re seeing record tourist numbers, with international visitors at a historical high.”

That demand is translating into new long-haul routes for the northern winter 2025-26 season, including Air Canada’s Toronto service launching Dec. 4 and Air Transat’s Toronto and Montreal flights beginning Feb. 4, 2026. These follow American Airlines’ relaunch of seasonal Dallas-Fort Worth service last winter after a nearly decade-long absence.

Fehring says both Canadian carriers had been in discussions for years, but the timing finally aligned. “Air Transat and Air Canada are certainly the two biggest new route launches,” he explains. He adds that political tensions between the U.S. and Canada may be indirectly shaping airline decisions. “No one has verbalized it, but I think it’s in the background,” he says.

With those additions secured, Fehring says GIG is now turning its attention to a broader group of long-haul leisure airlines. “Part of our strategy is to attract more long-haul leisure carriers,” Fehring explains. Edelweiss, Condor, French Bee and Neos are all viewed as strong fits. “We used to have Edelweiss, and I think there are strong signs they will come back,” he adds.

Middle Eastern connectivity is another priority. Turkish Airlines has twice indicated plans to launch Rio service, while Qatar Airways has also previously announced intentions, but delayed due to geopolitical and pandemic-related disruptions. “We still think there’s a gap and a big opportunity for Middle East connectivity,” Fehring says.

GIG is also positioning for the restoration of African links. Royal Air Maroc is understood to be evaluating a return with Casablanca service for the winter 2026-27 season, while TAAG Angola Airlines is another candidate to resume operations. A newer development involves Nigeria’s Air Peace, which has formally requested slots following the signing of a bilateral air services agreement between Brazil and Nigeria in August 2025.

Meanwhile, LCC JetSMART has become one of GIG’s largest international airlines, with seven destinations including new Asuncion, Paraguay, service from January 2026. “They’ve managed, with an ultra-low-cost product, to really stimulate the market,” Fehring says.

Despite the progress, major opportunities remain. The biggest is Rio-Orlando, which Fehring calls “the largest unserved international market in the entire Southern Cone.” Quito and Medellin also top the list of unserved Latin American routes.

With Rio preparing to host Routes Americas 2026, Fehring believes the airport’s momentum and growing global visibility will combine to unlock further expansion. “We’re having a good moment,” he says. “And there is great interest in our destination.”