How LATAM, GOL, and Azul Shape the Skies with Fierce Competition on Busiest Domestic Routes in Brazil, Everything We Know So Far

Published on August 12, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

How LATAM, GOL, and Azul shape the skies with fierce competition on busiest domestic routes in Brazil, everything we know so far is a story of dominance, strategy, and constant change. In 2025, how LATAM, GOL, and Azul shape the skies with fierce competition on busiest domestic routes in Brazil, everything we know so far reveals a market where three airlines carry almost every passenger flying within the country.

How LATAM, GOL, and Azul shape the skies with fierce competition on busiest domestic routes in Brazil, everything we know so far shows that slot control, route choices, and fleet capacity decide who wins on the air bridge between São Paulo and Rio, as well as on other high-demand city pairs.

With each airline defending its position and chasing new opportunities, how LATAM, GOL, and Azul shape the skies with fierce competition on busiest domestic routes in Brazil, everything we know so far is unfolding in real time.

Brazil’s domestic aviation market in 2025 is one of the most concentrated in the world. Three airlines – LATAM Airlines Brasil, GOL Linhas Aéreas, and Azul Linhas Aéreas – control almost all of the market. LATAM leads with about 38 to 41 percent, GOL holds around 31 to 33 percent, and Azul takes close to 30 to 34 percent. Together they carry more than 99 percent of domestic passengers. This concentration makes every decision on routes, slots, and fleet use highly important. The balance of power plays out most visibly on Brazil’s busiest routes, especially between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

LATAM Holds the Top Spot

LATAM Airlines Brasil has remained the largest domestic airline in Brazil for several years. By the first half of 2025, its share was close to 39 to 41 percent. LATAM uses its broad network to connect major cities, regional centres, and international flights. Its presence in key airports like Congonhas in São Paulo and Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro gives it a strong advantage on high-demand routes. LATAM also benefits from having more slots at these airports than its rivals, allowing it to offer more flights at peak times.

GOL Focuses on Trunk Routes

GOL Linhas Aéreas holds a solid position with about 31 to 33 percent of the domestic market. GOL is strong on Brazil’s trunk routes, which are the high-frequency links between major cities. These include the air bridge between São Paulo and Rio, as well as routes to Brasília, Belo Horizonte, and Porto Alegre. GOL combines a low-cost model with a focus on business-friendly schedules, which helps it compete with LATAM for corporate travellers.

Azul Builds Depth in Connectivity

Azul Linhas Aéreas has about 30 to 34 percent of the domestic market. It focuses on connecting smaller cities and regional airports, giving it a unique strength outside the busiest trunk routes. Azul’s main hub at Viracopos near Campinas allows it to serve destinations that are not always covered by LATAM and GOL. This depth in the network means Azul can capture travellers in areas with less competition, while still competing on big city routes when it gains more airport slots.

The Importance of Congonhas Airport

Congonhas Airport in São Paulo is the most valuable domestic airport in Brazil. It is close to the city centre and handles a huge share of high-yield business traffic. However, it is also slot-controlled, meaning the number of flights per hour is limited. In 2025, when regional airline Voepass suspended operations, the government redistributed some of its slots. Azul received 8, LATAM got 6, and GOL also received 6. While this gave Azul a small boost, LATAM and GOL still have far more slots at Congonhas. This means they can continue to dominate key routes from the airport.

The Air Bridge Between São Paulo and Rio

The São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro air bridge is the busiest and most competitive domestic route in Brazil. The flights connect Congonhas and Santos Dumont airports, both close to their city centres. This route is vital for business travel, and frequency is just as important as price. LATAM and GOL, with their larger slot holdings at both airports, run more flights and have more options for travellers. Azul has a smaller presence here, but it has been slowly increasing its frequencies as it gains slots.

Other Key Routes in the Network

Beyond the air bridge, routes from Congonhas to Brasília, Belo Horizonte, and Curitiba are among the most important in Brazil’s domestic network. These are major business and government links, and they often have higher average fares than leisure-focused routes. LATAM and GOL dominate these markets, but Azul uses its new slots to add selective services. The competition keeps fares in check on some days, but at peak times prices can still be high due to strong demand and limited slots.

Azul’s Strength in Secondary Airports

While Azul is smaller at Congonhas, it has a strong base at Viracopos (VCP) near Campinas. This airport is less congested and allows Azul to operate many connections to smaller and medium-sized cities. Azul also has a solid presence in regional airports across Brazil’s north and northeast, which are often underserved by other major carriers. This gives Azul resilience and a loyal customer base in regions where it is the main or only carrier.

GOL and Azul Partnership

In 2024, GOL and Azul launched a code-share agreement, allowing passengers to book connecting flights across both airlines’ networks. This partnership has been seen as a step toward a potential merger. In 2025, the Brazilian government signalled that it could support such a move, which would create a competitor with about 60 percent of the market. LATAM has warned that this level of consolidation would require careful regulation to maintain competition and protect consumers.

Fleet Challenges Affect Capacity

Both Azul and GOL, and to a lesser extent LATAM, operate Airbus A320neo-family aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. These engines have required extended inspections and repairs, forcing airlines to ground several planes at a time. In the second quarter of 2025, Azul had dozens of aircraft out of service, while GOL also faced significant grounding issues. This has limited their ability to add flights even when demand is strong, leading to fewer schedule choices and, in some cases, higher fares.

Passenger Demand Is Strong but Profits Are Mixed

Brazil’s domestic passenger numbers have grown in 2025, with some months showing double-digit increases over 2024. In the first half of the year, around 48 million domestic passengers travelled, up more than 8 percent year-on-year. Planes are full, but revenues have not always grown as fast as passenger numbers. Competition on fares, high operating costs, and fleet availability issues have all put pressure on profits.

Your Complete Insider’s Journey Through the Heart of South America

Brazil is more than a country—it’s a world of its own. Vast and vibrant, it stretches from the wild Amazon basin to glittering city beaches, from colonial towns echoing with history to wetlands teeming with wildlife. Whether you’re drawn to samba-soaked nights in Rio, silent dawns in the Pantanal, or barefoot walks along endless golden shores, Brazil promises a trip that’s as diverse as it is unforgettable. Here’s a Conde Nast–style insider guide to help you plan the perfect journey, with all the essential places to see, stay, eat, and shop—plus the hidden touches that turn a trip into an experience.

Where to Go: Brazil’s Most Spectacular Sights

Rio de Janeiro – The Carioca Soul
Few cities can match the drama of Rio de Janeiro’s landscape. From the moment you see the sweep of Copacabana Beach framed by Sugarloaf Mountain and the outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer, you’ll understand why this “Carioca landscape” is UNESCO-listed. Begin your mornings in the Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban rainforest, where waterfalls and quiet trails are minutes from the bustle. By afternoon, join locals at Ipanema or Copacabana, and as the sun sets, sip a caipirinha at Arpoador to watch the sky blush over the Atlantic.

Iguaçu National Park – Nature at Full Volume
On Brazil’s southern border with Argentina, the roar of Iguaçu Falls begins long before you see the curtain of water plunging into the gorge. Staying at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas inside the park means you can wander the walkways at dawn before the day’s crowds arrive. The Brazilian side offers the most panoramic view of the 275 falls—prepare to get wet and exhilarated in equal measure.

The Amazon – Manaus and Beyond
Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon, is where the black waters of the Rio Negro run alongside the sandy Solimões without mixing for kilometres—a surreal natural phenomenon called the Meeting of Waters. From here, board a boat or floatplane to a jungle lodge like Juma Amazon Lodge. Days here mean waking to the calls of howler monkeys, paddling through flooded forests, and fishing for piranha before watching sunsets paint the river gold.

Pantanal – Wildlife Heaven
If wildlife spotting is your dream, the Pantanal is Brazil’s open-air safari. Sprawling across Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, it’s the largest tropical wetland on Earth and home to jaguars, giant otters, and hundreds of bird species. Visit in the dry season (July–October) when animals gather around shrinking waterholes. Stay at lodges like Caiman, which work with conservation projects and offer guided boat trips, horseback safaris, and even night drives under star-packed skies.

Lençóis Maranhenses – A Desert of Lagoons
In Maranhão, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a paradox—rolling white dunes dotted with turquoise lagoons that appear after the rains. Visit between June and September, when the lagoons are at their fullest. A 4×4 ride from Barreirinhas or Atins brings you into this shimmering landscape, where swimming in a warm, rain-fed pool in the middle of a desert feels like a dream.

Chapada Diamantina – Hiking and Hidden Caves
Bahia’s Chapada Diamantina National Park offers an entirely different kind of adventure. Canyons, table-top mountains, underground rivers, and waterfalls invite days of hiking and exploration. The climb up Morro do Pai Inácio rewards you with views that stretch for miles, while the blue depths of Poço Azul and Poço Encantado caves look almost unreal.

Fernando de Noronha – Paradise Protected
This volcanic archipelago 350 km off Brazil’s northeast coast is a marine sanctuary of crystalline waters and powdery beaches. Visitor numbers are limited, so book your flights and park passes well in advance. Dive with sea turtles, hike to secluded coves, and stay at luxury hideaways like Pousada Maravilha for views you’ll carry with you long after you leave.

Salvador – History and Rhythm
Once Brazil’s first capital, Salvador’s Pelourinho district is a riot of colour—pastel-hued colonial houses, baroque churches, and cobblestone streets alive with music and capoeira. This is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, best experienced through its food, festivals, and people. Time your visit for Carnaval and you’ll see a celebration unlike any other.

Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture Meets Coastline
A few hours from Rio, Paraty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where colonial streets meet emerald bays. Wander its whitewashed lanes, then head to Ilha Grande, where lush Atlantic Forest plunges to beaches like Lopes Mendes. Together, they make a perfect slow-travel pairing.

Where to Stay: Hotels Worth the Journey

Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio
The grande dame of Rio’s beachfront, the Copa has been hosting royalty, rock stars, and discerning travellers since 1923. Think Art Deco elegance, a palm-fringed pool, and breakfast with views of the Atlantic.

Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Iguaçu
The only hotel inside Iguaçu National Park. Step outside and the falls are a short walk away, with no one else in sight.

Palácio Tangará, São Paulo
An urban oasis in Burle Marx Park, this Oetker Collection hotel combines grand interiors with fine dining from Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Hotel Unique, São Paulo
A design landmark shaped like a giant ship, with a rooftop pool and bar (Skye) offering spectacular skyline views.

Fasano Rio de Janeiro
Understated luxury in the heart of Ipanema, with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Arpoador and the Christ statue.

Kenoa Resort, Alagoas
An eco-chic retreat on the coast, perfect for those seeking privacy and barefoot luxury.

Caiman, Pantanal
A lodge that blends high-end comfort with conservation, offering the best chances to see jaguars in the wild.

Juma Amazon Lodge, Amazonas
Rustic but refined, built on stilts to adapt to the river’s moods, and ideal for travellers seeking true immersion in the rainforest.

Pousada Maravilha, Fernando de Noronha
A boutique property with just a handful of suites, all looking out over Sueste Bay.

Where to Eat: Flavours of Brazil

Brazil’s culinary scene is as varied as its landscapes.

In Rio, book a table at Lasai or Oro for contemporary Brazilian tasting menus that celebrate local ingredients. For seafood with a modern twist, Oteque is a Michelin-starred standout. In São Paulo, A Casa do Porco is a temple to all things pork, ranked among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while Maní blends Brazilian flavours with global technique. For sushi lovers, San Omakase in Rio offers an intimate, meticulously crafted experience.

Street food is just as vital to understanding Brazil’s palate—try pastel (fried pastry) and caldo de cana (fresh sugarcane juice) at São Paulo’s Mercado Municipal, acarajé (fried bean fritters with shrimp) in Salvador, or tapioca pancakes at a beachside stall in the northeast.

Where to Shop: From Luxury Streets to Artisan Markets

In São Paulo, Rua Oscar Freire is the address for luxury shopping, lined with international brands and Brazilian designers. For a more local experience, the Mercado Municipal Paulistano offers everything from exotic fruits to the city’s famous mortadella sandwich.

In Rio, Shopping Leblon is an upscale mall in a chic neighbourhood, while the Feira Hippie de Ipanema every Sunday is perfect for crafts, art, and souvenirs. The Feira de São Cristóvão is a permanent Northeastern market with live music and hearty regional food.

In Salvador, Mercado Modelo near the Lacerda Elevator is the place for Bahian crafts. And in Belém, the Ver-o-Peso market spills across the riverfront with Amazonian produce, spices, and fish.

When to Go and How to Plan

Brazil’s size means the best time to visit depends on where you’re headed. The Amazon and Pantanal are best in the dry season (July–October), while the Lençóis Maranhenses lagoons are full from June to September. Rio and the southeast have warm weather year-round, with peak festivities during Carnaval (February or March).

Plan well ahead for Fernando de Noronha—visitor numbers are capped and both flights and park passes can sell out months in advance. For remote natural areas like the Pantanal or Lençóis, consider guided tours or packages that include transfers, as public transport can be limited.

The Brazil You’ll Remember

Brazil has a way of staying with you. It’s in the rhythm of a samba drifting from a side street, the taste of fresh mango at breakfast, the sight of a jaguar slipping into the Pantanal’s reeds, the spray of Iguaçu on your face. It’s the friendliness of strangers, the energy of a Rio beach day, and the quiet magic of a lagoon under the Lençóis stars.

Plan your trip with room for spontaneity. Brazil rewards those who follow the music, the scent of grilling fish, or the curve of a coastline just a little further than they planned. Every journey here is a story waiting to be told—and yours is just beginning.

The Role of Government and Regulation

The Brazilian civil aviation regulator ANAC plays a key role in managing airport slots, especially at Congonhas and Santos Dumont. Small changes in slot allocation can shift the balance of power on the busiest routes. The government’s openness to airline mergers could also reshape the market in the coming years. Any changes will be closely watched by the airlines, passengers, and competitors.

What This Means for Travellers

For travellers, the dominance of LATAM, GOL, and Azul means there is usually a choice of carriers on major routes. On the busiest routes, competition keeps service quality high, but peak-time fares can be expensive due to slot limits. In regional markets where only one airline operates, fares can be higher and schedules less flexible. Travellers looking for lower prices often consider flying from alternative airports like Viracopos or Guarulhos instead of Congonhas.

Brazil’s domestic aviation market in 2025 is defined by three powerful players. LATAM leads with its strong network and prime slots, GOL holds its ground on trunk routes, and Azul builds depth in regional connectivity. The busiest routes, especially the São Paulo–Rio air bridge, are shaped by slot availability at key airports. Fleet challenges and regulatory changes add more complexity to the competition. For passengers, this creates a mix of choice, convenience, and occasional constraints, all within one of the most competitive and strategically important domestic markets in the world.

Source: OAG