Brazil recovered around 82% of its pre-pandemic traffic levels in 2022. The Latin Nation served 88.54 million passengers between January and November. It was led by the country’s three domestic airlines, LATAM Brasil, Azul Linhas Aereas, GOL Linhas Aereas, and one international airline TAP Air Portugal.
Recovery Insights
Brazil received 74.54 million domestic passengers out of the total 88.54 million passengers last year. The Nation has quickly become the second largest aviation industry in Latin America after Mexico, which surpassed the 100 – million passengers mark in 2022.
Before the pandemic during the same period, Brazil served 108.25 million passengers, meaning the Nation recovered an estimated 82% of its pre-pandemic traffic levels. This recovery has been mainly witnessed domestically. It has reached an 86.5% bounce back comparing 2019 levels. The Nation received 86.17 million domestic travellers in the same period that year.
In a recent event last year, the International Air Transport Association country manager said:
“The Brazilian domestic demand should end this year very close to the pre-pandemic values, thus consolidating the basis for increased growth in the coming years! For this, Brazil needs to remove the heavy cost anchors, such as the high price of aviation fuel, which hinder our full development.”
Performance of Brazil’s top carriers
AZUL, GOL, and LATAM are Brazil’s top airlines and have an 87.6% market share in the Latin Nation domestically and internationally.
Last year, LATAM Brasil airlines were top of the Brazilian Market, serving 28.26 million passengers between January and November. The carrier is based at Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in Sao Paulo. The carrier closed the year, flying to 54 airports in Brazil compared to 44 before the pandemic and 21 international destinations. LATAM Brasil recovered 84.6% of its pre-pandemic traffic levels compared to 2019. The carrier aims at launching interesting routes such as Sao Paulo – Johannesburg.
Azul was the second largest carrier in Brazil in terms of carried passengers. It was the only carrier to recover its full capacity from the pandemic. Azul served 24.86 million passengers until November last year, representing a growth of 1.6% comparing 2019.
Lastly, GOL Linhas Aereas had the slowest rebound among the Top airlines in Brazil last year. The carrier received 24.46 million passengers until November, a 74.5% traffic recovery. The airline served 32.79 million passengers in the same period in 2019.
About TAP Air Portugal
The Portuguese airline was the most crucial non – Brazilian carrier to operate in the country in 2022. Also, it was the only one to pass the one million passengers mark by November last year.
TAP Air served 1.44 million passengers between January and November last year. The carrier held a 10.30% international market share behind LATAM with a 23% share.
Other international airlines flying to Brazil include Copa Airlines, America Airlines, and Aerolineas Argentinas.
What are your thoughts on Brazil’s traffic rebound in 2022? Let us know in the comments section below.
