Latin American aviation market
Monthly Latin American airline data updates
October 2026
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How much airline capacity does Latin America have in 2026?
Monthly scheduled capacity: October 2025 vs October 2026
Lower South America remains the largest market and capacity to/ from the region, with 18.1m seats. Carriers have increased capacity by 557k vs last October.
Central America is the second largest market with 11.5m seats in October 26.
Volume wise capacity to North America reduced most with 204,500 fewer seats, followed by Central America with 120,400 fewer seats.
Are low cost carriers growing in Latin America?
Mainline carriers represent 63% of the market and grew by 1.1% vs last October, whilst LCCs increased capacity by 0.9% year on year and account for 18.3 million seats.
Mainline vs low-cost
Which Latin American country has the most airline seats?
Brazil remains the largest country market with 12.8m seats, growing by 2.6% vs last year.
Capacity in Peru grew at the fastest rates of 11.9% vs last year, followed by Panama increasing by 10.1%. Peru's capacity growth is being enabled by the opening of the new Jorge Chávez airport, which has removed infrastructure constraints at Lima and allowed airlines to add frequencies and routes.
Capacity reduced by 148,200 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 11.2 million seats, increasing capacity by 2.1% (233,100 additional seats) vs last October.
Domestic capacity grew at the fastest rate in Peru and Argentina, by 16.6% (263,400 seats) and 15.4% (273,100 seats) respectively.
Domestic capacity contracted at the fastest rates in Venezuela, decreasing by 26.6% vs Oct 25. Followed by Bolivia where domestic capacity reduced by 17.7%.
Top 10 domestic markets by seat capacity
Which is the biggest airline in Latin America?
The LATAM Airline Group remains the largest airline with 9.3m seats, and increased capacity this month by 3.5% (312,400 additional seats).
Seat capacity by airline
Copa Airlines made the largest percentage increase in capacity, increasing by 14% - 239,500 additional seats. Followed by Aerolineas Argentinas, increasing capacity by 11% - 135,500 seats.
Vivaaerobus reducing capacity by 4.9%, 134,300 fewer seats.
| Rank | Airline | Seats Oct 2026 | Seats Oct 2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | LATAM Airlines Group | 9,327,299 | 9,014,892 | +3.5% |
| 2. | GOL Linhas Aereas S.A. | 3,738,748 | 3,795,059 | −1.5% |
| 3. | Avianca | 3,607,516 | 3,643,910 | −1.0% |
| 4. | Azul Airlines | 3,446,052 | 3,276,976 | +5.2% |
| 5. | Volaris | 2,630,185 | 2,538,926 | +3.6% |
| 6. | Vivaaerobus | 2,620,374 | 2,754,636 | −4.9% |
| 7. | Aeromexico | 2,049,111 | 2,065,574 | −0.8% |
| 8. | Copa Airlines | 1,956,068 | 1,716,534 | +14.0% |
| 9. | Jetsmart | 1,665,363 | 1,586,277 | +5.0% |
| 10. | Aerolíneas Argentinas | 1,366,562 | 1,231,076 | +11.0% |
Source: OAG · October 2026 scheduled capacity
What is the busiest airport in Latin America?
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Intl Apt and Bogata are joint busiest airports in the region with 2.4m seats in October 26.
Strongest growth within the top 10 largest airports in the continent came from Buenos Aires and Panama City, with an increase of 11.2% and 11% vs Oct 25 respectively.
Capacity to/from Cancun, Mexico, reduced again this month, by 9.7% (117,000 fewer seats).
There are 544 Latin American airports this month with scheduled capacity, and 154 airlines operating in Latin America.
| No | Code | Airport | Seats | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | GRU | São Paulo Guarulhos | 2.43m | +1.2% |
| 2. | BOG | Bogotá | 2.43m | −0.5% |
| 3. | MEX | Mexico City | 2.24m | +2.5% |
| 4. | LIM | Lima | 1.49m | +9.5% |
| 5. | CGH | São Paulo Congonhas | 1.30m | −3.5% |
| 6. | SCL | Santiago | 1.29m | −1.3% |
| 7. | PTY | Panama City | 1.18m | +11.0% |
| 8. | CUN | Cancún | 1.09m | −9.7% |
| 9. | AEP | Buenos Aires Aeroparque | 1.04m | +11.2% |
| 10. | GIG | Rio de Janeiro Galeão | 1.00m | +3.3% |
Source: OAG · October 2026 · hover chart or click a table row to cross-highlight
Where do Latin Americans fly internationally?
North America is the largest market with 10.6m seats, despite a 2% decline in capacity vs October 25 - 204,500 fewer seats.
Capacity within Latin America is the next largest market with 6.6m seats.
Whilst remaining small markets, international capacity to Africa and Asia Pacific continues to grow at the fastest rates of 32% and 16% respectively vs last year.
Capacity by destination region
Capacity change by destination region — October 2025 vs October 2026
| Destination region | Seats Oct 2026 | Seats Oct 2025 | Change | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 10,593,501 | 10,797,977 | −1.9% (−204,476) | 50.5% |
| Within Latin America | 6,591,342 | 6,408,724 | +2.8% (+182,618) | 31.4% |
| Europe | 3,494,014 | 3,369,028 | +3.7% (+124,986) | 16.7% |
| Asia Pacific | 119,042 | 102,604 | +16.0% (+16,438) | 0.6% |
| Middle East | 101,671 | 99,528 | +2.2% (+2,143) | 0.5% |
| Africa | 76,512 | 58,160 | +31.6% (+18,352) | 0.4% |
Total international seats October 2026: 20,976,082 · Source: OAG scheduled capacity data
North America accounts for 50.5% of all international capacity from Latin America, but declined 1.9% vs October 2025 — 204,500 fewer seats. It is the only destination region to contract this month.
Africa and Asia Pacific are growing rapidly from a low base. Africa grew 31.6% to 76,500 seats; Asia Pacific grew 16.0% to 119,000 seats. Both remain under 0.2m seats but the trajectory is notable.
Europe grew 3.7% to 3.49m seats, while intra-regional capacity within Latin America grew 2.8% to 6.59m seats.
Latin American aviation: frequently asked questions
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Overall capacity for Latin America grew by 1% to 49.6 million seats in October 26. Domestic capacity grew by 1.3%, whilst international capacity increased by 0.7% vs last year.