Santa Catarina becomes a national reference by boosting aviation with innovative tax policy

The state of Santa Catarina has stood out on the national scene by adopting a structured and innovative policy for the transport sector, with a special focus on aviation. The creation of an exclusive secretariat for ports, airports and railways marked a turning point in logistics management, guaranteeing protagonism to historically secondary modes within public administration.

One of the main drivers of this advance was the implementation of tax incentives on aviation fuel. With the reduction in ICMS, which can reach up to 1.5%, the state managed to attract airlines, increase competitiveness and encourage new routes. The impact was direct: the number of international passengers jumped from around 160,000 in 2022 to more than 1.2 million in 2025.

Furthermore, the growth of air cargo also gained strength, with operations connecting Santa Catarina to strategic destinations such as Miami and European logistics centers. The progress is supported by technical planning, including the update of the state aviation plan, which had been out of date since the 1980s.

Another highlight is the project to resume regional aviation, with state subsidies to make low-demand routes viable. The proposal seeks to reduce logistical inequalities within the state, promoting faster access to essential services and promoting economic development in remote regions.

The Santa Catarina model reinforces that public policies aligned with the productive sector are capable of generating concrete results, positioning the state as a national reference in logistical efficiency and modal integration.