Rio de Janeiro, June 23, 2026 (Lusa) - Brazil recorded all-time highs in both domestic and international air travel, during the first five months of 2026, driven by growth in tourism and demand from businesses.

Between January and May, 42 million passengers travelled on domestic flights, a figure 6% higher than the 39.8 million recorded in the same period of 2025, according to data from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).

According to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism, released on Monday, this is the first time the country has exceeded the 42-million-passenger mark in the first five months of a year since records began.

May also saw record figures. More than 8.3 million people travelled on domestic flights, a figure 2% higher than in May last year and the highest for that month since records began in 2000.

The international market also continued to grow. In the first five months of the year, 12.8 million passengers boarded or disembarked on flights between Brazil and other countries, an increase of 10% compared with the 11.6 million recorded between January and May 2025.

In May alone, international traffic reached 2.23 million passengers, a 5% increase compared with the 2.13 million recorded in the same month of the previous year.

The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism attributed these results to improved air connectivity and increased demand for travel both within and outside the country.

Minister Gustavo Feliciano stated that the figures reflect the dynamism of the Brazilian tourism sector and the impact of policies aimed at expanding the range of routes and encouraging travel.

The data underpin the recovery and expansion of Brazilian commercial aviation, which has been setting successive passenger traffic records following the strong growth observed in recent years.

VQ/AYLS // AYLS

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