Latin America’s Aviation Market Grows 2.4% in January 2025

The Latin American aviation market began 2025 with significant growth, registering 42.3 million passengers in January, marking a 2.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by the reactivation of routes, the adoption of open skies policies, and a stronger tourism demand. According to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), the growth is also attributed to the expansion of both international and domestic markets.

A major contributor to the region's performance was the Brazilian domestic market, which saw a 44% growth, representing 438,000 additional passengers. Brazil played a key role in the region's overall growth. Notably, the Lima-Santiago route became the busiest in Latin America, with nearly 156,000 passengers in January, contributing to an increase in intra-regional traffic, which reached 5.3 million passengers.

“With these results, 2025 begins with an optimistic outlook for the aviation industry in the region. The consolidation of new routes, increased connectivity, and the industry’s commitment to sustainable development will continue to be essential to maintaining this positive trend,” said José Botelho, CEO, ALTA.

International traffic also showed positive results, totaling 15.6 million passengers, a 0.7% increase from the previous year. One notable development was the 33.5% increase in traffic between Brazil and France, driven by the introduction of the Paris-Salvador route. Additionally, routes between Panama and the United States performed well, with more than 2,500 frequencies, marking a 12% year-on-year increase.

In terms of international market performance, Brazil and the Dominican Republic stood out. The Dominican Republic achieved a record number of international passengers, reaching 1.8 million in January, a 3% increase from 2024. Mexico’s Santa Lucia airport (AIFA) saw a 78% growth, while Argentina's Tucumán experienced a 116% increase in international traffic.

The total number of flights in the region grew by 4.8%, reaching 345,331 operations. The average occupancy rate also improved, rising by 1.1 percentage points to 84.7%.

“Regional aviation continues to show resilience, reinforcing the sector’s role as a vital driver of connectivity,” Botelho added.

One ongoing challenge for the industry is fuel costs. In January 2025, the average price of jet fuel was US$98.05 per barrel. However, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remained 2.1 times more expensive, with an average price of US$208.05 per barrel. The cost discrepancy between conventional jet fuel and SAF continues to pose a significant barrier to the large-scale adoption of SAF in the region. To address this, there is a strong push for policies that support SAF production and make it more competitive with traditional jet fuel.