According to the ALTA association, which represents Latin American airlines, air traffic in the first half of 2025 will continue to grow at a sustained rate. In its traffic zone (Latin America and the Caribbean), ALTA reports growth in passenger numbers of almost 4%, or 237 million passengers. According to ALTA, this growth was driven by excellent performances in Argentina, Brazil and Peru.
Hence the growing interest shown by European airlines, which have traditionally been involved in Brazil: Iberia and above all TAP Air Portugal. The two carriers are therefore strengthening their links with the South American giant through new routes.
Iberia is expanding in Brazil with two new destinations: Recife and Fortaleza. The Spanish airline will launch direct flights to Recife on 13 December, followed by Fortaleza on 19 January. Each of these destinations will benefit from three weekly frequencies. Both routes will be operated with the Airbus A321XLR, whose size is ideal for secondary markets. With these two destinations, Iberia will offer some 285,000 seats for sale this winter to Fortaleza, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
For its part, TAP Air Portugal has announced the launch of a new route linking Lisbon to Curitiba, the capital of the state of Paraná, from 2 July 2026. The airline will operate three weekly flights - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - between Lisbon (LIS), Curitiba (CWB) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG), using Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured for 269 passengers. Ticket sales began on 11 November.
Carlos Antunes, Director of TAP Air Portugal for the Americas, underlined the strategic importance of the Brazilian market: " With the inauguration of this new route to Curitiba, we are expanding our presence in a country that already benefits from multiple connections to Europe via Lisbon and Porto.".
TAP Air Portugal will now serve 14 Brazilian cities, consolidating its position as the European airline with the largest network in Brazil...
