Latin American aviation market

Latin America aviation market at a glance

Here are some of the top statistics from Latin America's aviation market this month:

• Overall capacity: 50.2m seats (+0.8% vs last year)
• Largest airline: LATAM Airline Group (8.9m seats)
• Busiest airport: Bogota (2.4m seats)
• Largest international destination region: North America (12.2m seats)

Airline capacity in Latin America

In Latin America this month there are 156 airlines with scheduled capacity and 537 airports.

How much airline capacity is there in Latin America?

• Overall capacity for Latin America has increased by 0.8% to 50.2m seats in May 2026.
• Domestic capacity increased by 1.5%, while international capacity decreased slightly by 0.1% compared with last year.
• Mainline carriers represent 64% of the market and grew by 2.9% vs May 2025. In contrast, low-cost carriers have reduced capacity by 2.7% year-on-year and now provide 18.1m seats.
  

*As of July 2025, international capacity is reported on a two-way basis (previously one-way departing).

Latin American countries' aviation markets

Which Latin American country has the most airline capacity (domestic + international)?

• Brazil remains the largest country market in Latin America with 12.1m seats, growing by 3.1% vs May 2025.
• Panama continued to record the fastest capacity growth in the region, up 12.2% year on year, followed by the Dominican Republic at 6.6%. Growth in Panama is being driven by Copa Airlines, which announced on 28 April an order for up to 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
• Mexico recorded the largest capacity reduction this month, with 109,400 fewer seats, followed by Puerto Rico with 36,500 fewer seats.

• Brazil is the largest domestic market, with 10.7m seats, and has increased capacity by 3% (an additional 313,300 seats) compared with May 2025.
• Domestic capacity grew at the fastest rate in Venezuela, increasing by 7.5% vs May 2025 to 353,500 seats.
• Domestic capacity reduced by 18.6% in Bolivia and 9.8% in Ecuador year-on-year. 
  

Top 10 busiest airports in Latin America (departing seats)

Which is the busiest airport in Latin America?

• Bogota remains the busiest airport in the region with 2.4m seats.
• Of the 10 largest airports, Panama City recorded the strongest growth, with capacity up 13.1% versus May 2025, followed by Rio de Janeiro, up 8.2%.
• Capacity to/from Cancun, Mexico, reduced by 7.3% - 99,700 fewer seats.
  

Airline capacity by region

Which region of Latin America has most capacity?

• Lower South America remains the largest regional market, with 16.8m seats to and from the region, an increase of 406,400 seats compared with last May.
• Central America is the second largest market with 12m seats in May 2026.
• Capacity to the Caribbean fell by 3.6% versus last year, a reduction of 152,100 seats. Capacity to North America also declined by 3.6%, with 135,400 fewer seats.
  

Top 10 airlines in Latin America by seats

Which is the biggest airline in Latin America?

• The LATAM Airline Group remains Latin America's largest airline in May 2026 with 8.9m seats, and increased capacity this month by 4.9% (413,100 additional seats).
• Copa Airlines made the largest percentage increase in capacity this month of 15.7% (252,700 additional seats).
• Azul Airlines reduced capacity by 6.5% - 219,700 fewer seats.
  

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