RIOgaleao - Rio de Janeiro International Airport

Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport says securing a Brazilian carrier operating intercontinental services is the “biggest prize” in its growth strategy.

Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport is positioning itself for sustained international expansion after handling nearly 18 million passengers in 2025.

Brazil’s air transport market is building momentum in early 2026, underpinned by rising demand, greater international capacity and recovery in domestic flying.

Brazil has initiated the informational process that will culminate in the sale auction of Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport on March 30.

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

RIOgaleão Airport, part of the Routes Americas 2026 host team, explores international growth opportunities and reveals what delegates can expect from their time in Rio.

Routes Americas is heading to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3-5 March in 2026.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will host the 19th Routes Americas event, the leading aviation forum dedicated to advancing air service development across the Americas.

Service to the Italian carrier’s third destination in Latin America will start in October.

The ULCC has been cleared to launch flights between Argentina and Brazil.

The Spanish flag carrier said it has resumed service to all pre-pandemic Latin American destinations.

Full restoration of its 2019 network is within sight.

The route restarts come after GOL and American Airlines were cleared to cooperate by Brazil’s antitrust regulators.

Brazil’s antitrust regulator said the deal could increase competition on routes between Brazil and the US.

Routes details the latest new route announcements, as well as the services returning to carriers’ networks.

American Airlines is to buy a minority stake in Brazil’s GOL as it seeks to better compete against Delta Air Lines and its regional partner LATAM.

The Star Alliance member plans to increase Latin American-US connectivity from December.

The Colombian airline is pushing ahead with plans to expand its international footprint.

The move follows LATAM shuttering its domestic operation in Argentina last year after the country closed off its airspace.

The Brazilian carrier is restoring flights from GIG early next year, having concentrated operations on the city’s Santos Dumont airport during the COVID-19 crisis.

More than 75 destinations will be served by the Spanish carrier this winter, with an emphasis on boosting business travel.

The US carrier is restarting nonstop service to Shanghai later this month and in November plans to resume flights on almost 30 international routes, targeting leisure and VFR traffic.

Gulf carrier Emirates looks set to permanently suspend four long-haul routes, including halting service to one of its 12 destinations in the US.

American Airlines and JetBlue are forming a partnership that is designed to boost each other’s networks in the ultra-competitive US Northeast and pave the way for new and expanded routes from New York and Boston.

Routes speaks to João Pita, Head of Airline Business at GRU Airport – São Paulo International Airport.