Latin American aviation market
Monthly Latin American airline data updates
September 2026
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How much airline capacity does Latin America have in 2026?
Monthly scheduled capacity: September 2025 vs September 2026
Lower South America remains the largest market for capacity to/ from the region, with 17.8m seats. Adding 1m seats vs last September.
Central America is the second largest market with 10.7m seats in Sept 26.
Volume wise capacity to North America reduced most with 401,000 fewer seats, followed by Central America with 103,900 fewer seats.
Are low cost carriers growing in Latin America?
Mainline carriers represent 63% of the market and grew by 1.9% vs Sept 25, whilst LCCs increased capacity by 3% year on year and account for 17.6 million seats.
Mainline vs low-cost
Which Latin American country has the most airline seats?
Brazil remains the largest country market with 12.5m seats, growing by 5.3% vs last year.
Capacity in Argentina grew at the fastest rates of 15.5% vs last year, followed by Panama increasing by 11.5%.
Capacity reduced by 130,900 seats in Mexico vs last year.
Top 10 countries by seat capacity
Which Latin American country has the most domestic flights?
Brazil is the largest domestic market with 11.1 million seats, increasing capacity by 5.6% (589,600 additional seats) vs last September.
Domestic capacity contracted at the fastest rates in Bolivia, decreasing by 22.7% vs Sept 25. Followed by Venezuela where domestic capacity reduced by 13.8%.
Top 10 domestic markets by seat capacity
Which is the biggest airline in Latin America?
The LATAM Airline Group remains the largest airline with 9m seats, and increased capacity this month by 4.7% (406,400 additional seats).
Seat capacity by airline
Copa Airlines made the largest percentage increase in capacity, increasing by 15.5% - 250,300 additional seats. Followed by Jetsmart, increasing capacity by 14.9% - 218,100 seats.
Aeromexico reduced capacity by 2.3%, 44,100 fewer seats. Followed by Vivaaerobus reducing capacity by 1.7%, 45,800 fewer seats.
| Rank | Airline | Seats Sep 2026 | Seats Sep 2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | LATAM Airlines Group | 9,014,405 | 8,607,966 | +4.7% |
| 2. | GOL Linhas Aereas S.A. | 3,908,980 | 3,540,930 | +10.4% |
| 3. | Avianca | 3,495,225 | 3,446,799 | +1.4% |
| 4. | Azul Airlines | 3,245,273 | 3,170,406 | +2.4% |
| 5. | Vivaaerobus | 2,576,612 | 2,622,380 | −1.7% |
| 6. | Volaris | 2,501,976 | 2,443,885 | +2.4% |
| 7. | Aeromexico | 1,909,121 | 1,953,206 | −2.3% |
| 8. | Copa Airlines | 1,869,792 | 1,619,496 | +15.5% |
| 9. | Jetsmart | 1,679,921 | 1,461,833 | +14.9% |
| 10. | Aerolíneas Argentinas | 1,299,636 | 1,217,081 | +6.8% |
Source: OAG · September 2026 scheduled capacity
What is the busiest airport in Latin America?
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Intl Apt is the busiest airport in the region with 2.4m seats, closely followed by Bogata with 2.3m seats in Sept 26.
Strongest growth within the top 10 largest airports in the continent came from Buenos Aires, with an increase of 14.6% vs Sept 25, followed by Panama with an increase of 12.3%.
Capacity to/from Cancun, Mexico, reduced again this month, by 12.3% (129,700 fewer seats).
There are 517 Latin American airports this month with scheduled capacity, and 149 airlines operating in Latin America.
| No | Code | Airport | Seats | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | GRU | São Paulo Guarulhos | 2.41m | +2.8% |
| 2. | BOG | Bogotá | 2.32m | +1.5% |
| 3. | MEX | Mexico City | 2.13m | +2.0% |
| 4. | LIM | Lima | 1.42m | +7.7% |
| 5. | CGH | São Paulo Congonhas | 1.30m | +2.3% |
| 6. | SCL | Santiago | 1.28m | −0.2% |
| 7. | PTY | Panama City | 1.13m | +12.3% |
| 8. | AEP | Buenos Aires Aeroparque | 1.02m | +14.6% |
| 9. | GIG | Rio de Janeiro Galeão | 0.98m | +8.2% |
| 10. | CUN | Cancún | 0.92m | −12.3% |
Source: OAG · September 2026 · hover chart or click a table row to cross-highlight
Where do Latin Americans fly internationally?
North America is the largest market with 9.1m seats, despite a 4% decline in capacity vs Sept 25 - 401,000 fewer seats.
Capacity within Latin America is the next largest market with 6.3m seats.
Whilst remaining small markets, international capacity to Africa and Asia Pacific continues to grow at the fastest rates of 27% and 16% respectively vs last year.
Capacity by destination region
Capacity change by destination region — September 2025 vs September 2026
| Destination region | Seats Sep 2026 | Seats Sep 2025 | Change | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 9,069,270 | 9,470,298 | −4.2% (−401,028) | 47.6% |
| Within Latin America | 6,343,529 | 6,134,624 | +3.4% (+208,905) | 33.3% |
| Europe | 3,356,069 | 3,223,845 | +4.1% (+132,224) | 17.6% |
| Asia Pacific | 116,299 | 100,122 | +16.2% (+16,177) | 0.6% |
| Middle East | 97,448 | 93,650 | +4.1% (+3,798) | 0.5% |
| Africa | 70,890 | 55,928 | +26.8% (+14,962) | 0.4% |
Total international seats September 2026: 19,053,505 · Source: OAG scheduled capacity data
North America accounts for 52.2% of all international capacity from Latin America, but declined 4.2% vs September 2025 — 401,000 fewer seats. This is the largest absolute decline of any destination region.
Africa and Asia Pacific are growing rapidly from a low base. Africa grew 26.8% to 70,900 seats; Asia Pacific grew 16.2% to 116,300 seats. Both remain under 0.2m seats but the trajectory is notable.
Europe grew modestly at +4.1% to 3.36m seats, while intra-regional capacity within Latin America grew 3.4% to 6.34m seats.
Latin American aviation: frequently asked questions
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Overall capacity for Latin America grew by 2.3% to 46.9 million seats in Sept 26. Domestic capacity grew by 4%, whilst international capacity contracted by 0.1% vs last year.