New data from Brazil’s Ministry of Portos e Aeroportos show that airports in the Southeast processed 26.26 million departing passengers between January and May 2026, a 4.8 % jump year-on-year and the strongest volume recorded since the series began in 2000. Guarulhos alone handled 9.44 million travellers, consolidating its status as Brazil’s principal international hub. Growth was propelled by a 7.6 % surge in international traffic as airlines added frequencies to North America and reinstated Asian routes suspended during the pandemic. Domestic demand also edged up 4.1 %. The record underscores the region’s dominance in national connectivity: three São Paulo airports plus Galeão in Rio now account for 55 % of all Brazil-bound long-haul capacity. For mobility planners, the figures translate into tighter seat inventories during peak seasons and heightened competition for inter-company block fares. Travel managers are advised to lock in corporate allotments early—especially on Guarulhos’ North Atlantic corridor—where average load factors exceeded 87 % in May. Infrastructure improvements are keeping pace. Guarulhos will complete its T2 lounge expansion in November, while Confins and Viracopos are upgrading border-control areas with automated e-gates ahead of the 2027 Pan-American Games. ANAC indicates that the Southeast could cross the 60 million-passenger mark for a calendar year if the current trend persists. High throughput also raises compliance stakes: the PF has increased random secondary inspections by 12 % year-to-date, focusing on counterfeit travel documents and overstays.
