Latin American aviation market
Monthly Latin American airline data updates
July 2026
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How much airline capacity does Latin America have in 2026?
Monthly scheduled capacity: July 2025 vs July 2026
Lower South America remains the largest market and capacity to/ from the region, with 18.3m seats. It has seen 642,000 additional seats vs last July.
Central America is the second largest market with 13.2m seats in July 26.
Capacity to North America reduced by 5.5% vs last year - 787,400 fewer seats, followed by the Caribbean where it reduced by 4.2% - 200,600 fewer seats.
Are low cost carriers growing in Latin America?
Mainline carriers represent 62% of the market and grew by 0.8% vs July 25, whilst LCCs increased capacity by 1.6% year on year and account for 20.6 million seats.
Mainline vs low-cost
Which Latin American country has the most airline seats?
Brazil remains the largest country market with 12.9m seats, growing by 3.5% vs last year.
Capacity in Panama continued to grow at the fastest rates of 11% vs last year, followed by Argentina increasing by 6.8%.
Capacity reduced by 50,700 seats in Ecuador and 36,300 seats in Puerto Rico 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 11.3 million seats, increasing capacity by 3.3% (364,800 additional seats) vs last July.
Domestic capacity contracted at the fastest rates in Bolivia and Venezuela, decreasing by 25% and 24.2% respectively vs July 25.
Top 10 domestic markets by seat capacity
Which is the biggest airline in Latin America?
The LATAM Airline Group remains the largest airline with 9.4m seats, and increased capacity this month by 3.7% (336,000 additional seats).
Seat capacity by airline
Volaris made the largest increase in capacity, increasing by 19% - 523,700 additional seats. Followed by Copa Airlines, increasing capacity by 16% - 275,100 seats.
Aeromexico reduced capacity by 5.3%, 119,800 fewer seats, followed by Azul Airlines which reduced capacity by 2.3%, 77,400 fewer seats.
| Rank | Airline | Seats Jul 2026 | Seats Jul 2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | LATAM Airlines Group | 9,413,782 | 9,077,832 | +3.7% |
| 2. | GOL Linhas Aereas S.A. | 3,974,380 | 3,806,392 | +4.4% |
| 3. | Avianca | 3,766,959 | 3,607,604 | +4.4% |
| 4. | Volaris | 3,283,963 | 2,760,310 | +19.0% |
| 5. | Azul Airlines | 3,223,946 | 3,301,344 | −2.3% |
| 6. | Vivaaerobus | 3,150,846 | 2,978,996 | +5.8% |
| 7. | Aeromexico | 2,120,486 | 2,240,307 | −5.3% |
| 8. | Copa Airlines | 1,991,378 | 1,716,274 | +16.0% |
| 9. | Jetsmart | 1,679,297 | 1,567,489 | +7.1% |
| 10. | American Airlines | 1,460,502 | 1,441,046 | +1.4% |
Source: OAG · July 2026 scheduled capacity
What is the busiest airport in Latin America?
Sao Paulo Guarulhos Intl Apt is the busiest airport in the region with 2.54m seats, closely followed by Bogata with 2.47m seats in July 26.
Strongest growth within the top 10 largest airports in the continent came from Guadalajara, Mexico, with an increase of 14.2% vs July 25, followed by Panama with an increase of 12.2%.
Capacity to/from Cancun, Mexico, reduced by 10.4% this month, 155,400 fewer seats.
There are 538 Latin American airports this month with scheduled capacity, and 153 airlines operating in Latin America.
| No | Code | Airport | Seats | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | GRU | São Paulo Guarulhos | 2.54m | −0.7% |
| 2. | BOG | Bogotá | 2.47m | +5.8% |
| 3. | MEX | Mexico City | 2.31m | ~flat |
| 4. | LIM | Lima | 1.44m | +0.1% |
| 5. | SCL | Santiago | 1.38m | +0.3% |
| 6. | CUN | Cancún | 1.34m | −10.4% |
| 7. | CGH | São Paulo Congonhas | 1.33m | +1.9% |
| 8. | PTY | Panama City | 1.22m | +12.2% |
| 9. | GDL | Guadalajara | 1.13m | +14.2% |
| 10. | AEP | Buenos Aires Aeroparque | 1.04m | +7.6% |
Source: OAG · hover chart or click a table row to cross-highlight
Where do Latin Americans fly internationally?
North America is the largest market with 13.5m seats, despite a 6% decline in capacity vs July 25 - 787,400 fewer seats.
Capacity within Latin America is the next largest market with 7.1m seats.
Whilst remaining small markets, international capacity to Africa and Asia Pacific continues to grow at the fastest rates of 29% and 19% respectively vs last year.
Capacity by destination region
Capacity change by destination region — July 2025 vs July 2026
| Destination region | Seats Jul 2026 | Seats Jul 2025 | Change | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 13,508,623 | 14,296,057 | −5.5% (−787,434) | 54.9% |
| Within Latin America | 7,124,989 | 7,001,440 | +1.8% (+123,549) | 28.9% |
| Europe | 3,685,628 | 3,577,258 | +3.0% (+108,370) | 15.0% |
| Asia Pacific | 120,041 | 100,775 | +19.1% (+19,266) | 0.5% |
| Middle East | 98,834 | 95,334 | +3.7% (+3,500) | 0.4% |
| Africa | 74,170 | 57,468 | +29.1% (+16,702) | 0.3% |
Total international seats July 2026: 24,612,285 · Source: OAG scheduled capacity data
North America accounts for 54.9% of all international capacity from Latin America, but declined 5.5% vs July 2025 — 787,400 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 29.1% to 74,200 seats; Asia Pacific grew 19.1% to 120,000 seats. Both remain under 0.2m seats but the trajectory is notable.
Europe grew modestly at +3.0% to 3.69m seats, while intra-regional capacity within Latin America grew 1.8% to 7.12m seats.
Latin American aviation: frequently asked questions
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Overall capacity for Latin America grew by 1.1% to 54.2 million seats in July 26. Domestic capacity grew by 3.9%, whilst international capacity contracted by 2.1% vs last year.