Brazil Posts Record Air Passenger Numbers for September 2026
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
Brazilian civil aviation carried 10.89 million passengers in September 2026, according to data released by Jornal Portuario, while Agencia iNFRA, citing the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), reported more than 10.8 million. Both outlets agree that this is the highest volume recorded for that month since the start of ANAC's historical series in 2000, representing year-on-year growth of 0.7% compared to September 2025.
Year-to-date totals and international traffic
Between January and September 2026, the sector carried 99.6 million passengers, up 4.3% from the same period the previous year. The result was driven mainly by the international market, which grew 7.3%, more than double the 3.4% expansion recorded on domestic flights. Domestic flights accounted for 76.8 million passengers, compared with 22.7 million on international routes.
Contrast between domestic and international flights
In September alone, domestic flights carried 8.5 million passengers, a 0.1% decline from the same month in 2025, while the international market carried 2.4 million travelers, growing 3.9% and underpinning the month's positive result. On domestic routes, seat capacity grew faster than actual demand, whereas on international routes demand outpaced capacity.
Air cargo and cost pressures
Air cargo also posted strong performance in September, with 121,500 tonnes handled, up 11.1% from the same month in 2025. International operations accounted for most of the increase, with 82,600 tonnes and growth of 16%, while the domestic market handled 38,900 tonnes, up 2.1%. This performance came amid strong cost pressure on airlines: the price of jet fuel sold by Petrobras has risen by nearly 74% since March 2026, pushing fuel's share of airlines' operating costs from a range of 30%-32% to more than 45%, according to Abear.
Approaching 100 million passengers
The Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, highlighted that the sector is nearing the 100-million-passenger mark in just nine months, which in his view reflects greater public access to air transport. That milestone was first reached in Brazil in 2012 and, following the downturn caused by the pandemic, was surpassed again in 2023, with 112.7 million passengers carried over the full year.
