Northeast grows 11.6% in aviation and exceeds national air movement average in January

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The Northeast began the year 2026 at a growth rate and with a passenger flow at airports above the national average. In January, the region’s terminals registered 4.39 million passengers, including arrivals and departures on domestic and international flights. The volume represents an increase of 11.56% compared to the same month in 2025, according to data from the Supply and Demand Report of the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac), compiled by the Ministry of Ports and Airports.

In the same period, air movement in Brazil grew by around 9.8%, which places the Northeast among the regions with performance above the national average at the beginning of the year. The result reinforces the importance of aviation for regional mobility and strategic activities in the northeastern economy, such as tourism, commerce and services.

According to the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, growth in the Northeast demonstrates once again the importance of aviation for the country’s development. “Aviation plays a fundamental role in the integration of Brazil. When we see regions like the Northeast growing above the national average, it shows that we are advancing in expanding air connectivity, strengthening tourism and creating better conditions for regional development”, he celebrated.

“We are advancing in expanding air connectivity, strengthening tourism and creating better conditions for regional development” Silvio Costa Filho
Busiest airports

Among the busiest airports in the region, the highlight was Recife (PE), which registered 995.3 thousand passengers, equivalent to 22.66% of all regional air movement. Next come Salvador (BA), with 865.7 thousand passengers (19.71%), and Fortaleza (CE), with 628.9 thousand passengers (14.32%). Together, the three airports concentrated more than half of the region’s air circulation during the period, acting as important connecting hubs for national and international flights.

Airports with a strong tourist vocation also had a relevant participation in regional movement, such as Maceió (AL), with 336,148 passengers; Porto Seguro (BA), with 319,128; Natal (RN), with 274,625; and João Pessoa (PB), with 204,120; in addition to strategic terminals for regional integration, such as São Luís (MA), Aracaju (SE) and Teresina (PI).

International tourism on the rise

The growth in air movement also reflects the increase in international flow to the Northeast. In January, the region’s airports registered 229 thousand passengers on international flights, with emphasis on connections with Portugal, Argentina, France, Spain, Chile and the United States.

Data from the Embratur panel, based on records from the Federal Police, indicate that 73.8 thousand visitors residing abroad, foreigners or Brazilians living outside the country, arrived in the Northeast in the period, an increase of 59% compared to January 2025.

Among the main destinations for these travelers are Bahia, Pernambuco, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte and Alagoas, states that concentrate a significant part of the region’s international airport infrastructure. The data also shows a strong presence of South American and European tourists, with emphasis on visitors from Argentina, Portugal, Italy, France and Uruguay.

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