Brazil Connects with Colombia, Chile and 14 More Latin American Destinations as Direct Europe Air Links Expand Amid Tourism Surge

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South American and Central American tourism experienced a boom in 2025, and along with it, airline connectivity to and from the regions improved. A collection of 14 countries in Central and South America are now connected to a greater number of European destinations via non-stop flights. Major airports in Portugal, The Netherlands, and France, in addition to Spain, have added or improved flights to Latin America. Along the same lines, numerous airlines have added or improved flights on existing routes, and new routes to less-connected areas have been added.

Flight connectivity has improved greatly for the leisure and business traveler. Historically, travelers wishing to go to Latin America from Europe needed to go through North America. This meant travelers had to go through U.S. Immigration and Customs. Now, there are hundreds of flights a week from European cities to major cities in Latin America.

Among the airports benefiting the most from the connection is Madrid. It is the largest and most connected airport to the rest of Spanish speaking Latin America. Other airports benefiting from new or improved flights include Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Paris. Flextality and geographical diversity of European airlines has improved and new locations that were previously unserved are benefiting the most. These new locations include several Brazilian and Central American cities.

2025 tourism growth gives airlines a stronger demand base

The expansion is taking place against a strong tourism backdrop. UN Tourism data reported that South America recorded 7% growth in international tourist arrivals in 2025, while Central America grew 5%. Among individual destinations reporting full-year results, Brazil recorded particularly strong growth, with arrivals up 37%.

Brazil’s official international tourism performance was especially notable. The country received 9.3 million international arrivals in 2025, a record and a 37.1% increase over 2024. International tourist spending reached almost US$7.9 billion, according to the OECD’s 2026 tourism review.

The following table organizes the destinations covered in the report by 2025 international tourist volume and summarizes their principal direct European gateways.

Visitor figures follow the supplied 2025 destination ranking; published arrival methodologies can differ by country.

Madrid remains Europe’s principal Latin America gateway

For travel companies, corporate travel managers and independent passengers, Madrid is the most important European departure point in this network. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas combines Iberia and Air Europa’s established long-haul networks with services from LATAM, Iberojet, Plus Ultra and World2Fly on selected markets. Its geographic position and extensive Spanish-speaking market make it particularly valuable for itineraries into South and Central America.

Iberia’s latest schedule demonstrates how significant the corridor has become. For the 2026 European summer season, the airline is offering 3,354,159 seats between Europe and Latin America, a 7.6% increase over the previous summer, with up to 366 weekly flights across the region. Growth is particularly visible in several major markets.

Buenos Aires will receive up to 23 weekly Iberia flights during June, July and August 2026, while Santiago de Chile has reached 12 weekly services. Brazil is also receiving additional capacity following the expansion to Recife and Fortaleza and increased Rio de Janeiro operations. For travelers, Madrid therefore functions not merely as a Spanish gateway but as a European distribution point for a large part of Latin America.

Brazil: Europe’s broadest Latin American network

Brazil — 9.3 million visitors

Brazil sits at the top of the supplied 2025 tourism ranking and has one of the most extensive European air networks in the region.

São Paulo

São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport has direct European links to:

• Madrid — Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM
• Barcelona — LATAM
• Lisbon — TAP Air Portugal, LATAM
• Porto — TAP Air Portugal
• Paris — Air France, LATAM
• London Heathrow — British Airways, LATAM
• Frankfurt — Lufthansa
• Munich — Lufthansa
• Amsterdam — KLM
• Zurich — SWISS
• Istanbul — Turkish Airlines

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is directly linked with:

• Madrid
• Lisbon
• Porto
• London
• Paris
• Frankfurt
• Amsterdam
• Rome

Airlines include Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, ITA Airways and Gol on relevant routes. Brazil’s European connectivity is also spreading beyond São Paulo and Rio. Lisbon provides TAP services to Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Natal and Belém, while Lisbon-Campinas services provide another connection into Brazil’s southeastern interior.

Iberia’s 2026 schedule is adding further capacity, with nearly 400,000 seats between Spain and Brazil, 15% more than the previous summer. The tourism demand behind this network ranges from Rio’s Carnival and New Year’s celebrations to Bahia’s cultural heritage, Amazon experiences and Brazil’s extensive coastal tourism.

Colombia: Bogotá and Cartagena broaden European access

Colombia — 6.2 million visitors

Colombia’s European network combines the country’s principal business gateway, Bogotá, with growing leisure connectivity to Cartagena.

Bogotá

Direct European connections include:

• Madrid — Avianca, Iberia, Air Europa
• Barcelona — Avianca
• Paris — Air France, Avianca
• London Heathrow — Avianca
• Frankfurt — Lufthansa
• Amsterdam — KLM
• Zurich — Edelweiss
• Istanbul — Turkish Airlines

Cartagena

Cartagena’s European connections include Madrid, Amsterdam, Zurich and seasonal services from Rome and Milan. This is an important development for tourism because Cartagena is itself a major international leisure destination. European passengers can reach Colombia’s Caribbean coast more directly rather than necessarily beginning an itinerary in Bogotá.

Madrid also connects with Medellín and Cali through Avianca’s wider network. The tourism proposition extends from Bogotá’s cultural attractions and Cartagena’s colonial heritage to trekking, nature and the Coffee Cultural Landscape.

Chile: Santiago connects Europe with Patagonia and the Atacama

Chile — 6.0 million visitors

Santiago is the country’s principal international gateway.

Direct European services include:

• Madrid — Iberia, LATAM
• Barcelona — Iberia, including seasonal operations
• Paris — Air France
• London Heathrow — British Airways

Iberia’s Madrid-Santiago operation has reached 12 weekly flights, providing nearly 240,000 seats during the 2026 summer season, up 7% from the comparable period. For international tourism, Santiago is the starting point for itineraries extending toward the Atacama Desert, Chilean wine regions, Patagonia and Torres del Paine.

Argentina: Madrid becomes an increasingly important Southern Cone bridge

Argentina — 5.7 million visitors

Buenos Aires has one of the Southern Cone’s strongest European air networks.

Direct connections include:

• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Paris
• Frankfurt
• Amsterdam
• Rome

Airlines include Iberia, Air Europa, Plus Ultra, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM and ITA Airways. Iberia’s 2026 schedule is particularly notable. Buenos Aires is receiving up to 23 weekly flights in June, July and August, equivalent to more than three daily departures on average, with approximately 456,000 seats on the route during that period. The European gateway supports tourism across Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.

Peru: Lima anchors archaeological and culinary tourism

Peru — 3.4 million visitors

Lima is served directly from:

• Madrid
• Barcelona
• Paris
• Amsterdam

Airlines include Iberia, Air Europa, LATAM, Air France, KLM and Plus Ultra. The principal tourism flows extend beyond Lima to Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, while northern Peru offers archaeological attractions associated with the Moche, Chavín and Chan Chan cultures. Lima itself remains a major culinary destination, making the capital an important component of international itineraries rather than simply a transit point.

Central America strengthens its European connections

El Salvador — 3.4 million

San Salvador has direct European services from Madrid and Barcelona. Iberia and Iberojet provide the principal links, supporting travel to Pacific beaches, volcanoes, hiking destinations and archaeological sites.

Costa Rica — 2.9 million

San José has one of Central America’s broadest European networks:

• Madrid
• London
• Paris
• Frankfurt
• Amsterdam
• Zurich

Iberia, Iberojet, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM and Edelweiss serve the market. Costa Rica’s established eco-tourism profile makes these routes particularly relevant to European nature travelers visiting Monteverde, Arenal, Manuel Antonio and other protected areas.

Guatemala — 2.5 million

Madrid is the principal direct European gateway to Guatemala City, with Iberia providing the key service. The network feeds tourism to Antigua, Tikal, Lake Atitlán and indigenous cultural destinations.

Uruguay — 2.5 million

Montevideo is directly connected with Madrid and, seasonally, Barcelona. Iberia, Air Europa and Plus Ultra provide Madrid services, while Barcelona is served seasonally by Iberia. The network supports travel to Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento and the Atlantic coast, including Punta del Este and José Ignacio.

Panama — 2.3 million

Panama City has direct European services from:

• Madrid
• Paris
• Amsterdam
• Istanbul

Air Europa, Iberia, Air France, KLM and Turkish Airlines operate relevant services. Panama serves a dual role: it is a destination for the Panama Canal, San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro, while its airport is also one of the principal connecting points for wider Central and South American travel.

Smaller markets retain strategically important European links

Paraguay — 2.0 million

Asunción’s principal direct European connection is Madrid, served by Air Europa. The route provides access to a destination positioned outside the main mass-tourism circuits, with attractions including the Jesuit missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue.

Ecuador — 1.3 million

Quito has direct European services from Madrid and Amsterdam, while Guayaquil is connected with Madrid. Airlines include Iberia, Air Europa, KLM and Euroairlines. Quito serves as the gateway for the Andes, historic colonial districts and onward Galápagos travel. Travelers should check current security advisories for specific areas before departure.

Bolivia — 1.1 million

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the principal direct European gateway, with Madrid services from Air Europa and Boliviana de Aviación. La Paz is generally reached through onward connections. The country is marketed internationally through attractions including Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, Sucre and Potosí.

Honduras — 920,000

Honduras demonstrates the growing importance of non-capital gateways. Palmerola/Comayagua has European services from Madrid and seasonal Barcelona operations, while San Pedro Sula has Madrid connectivity. Iberojet and Air Europa are among the operators serving these markets. The routes support tourism to Roatán, Utila, the Bay Islands and the Mayan archaeological site of Copán.

The Guiana Shield gains a stronger European bridge

Guyana — 290,000 visitors

Guyana’s direct European network is centered on Amsterdam. KLM began Amsterdam-Georgetown service in June 2025, initially operating two weekly flights. The outward journey includes a short stop in Sint Maarten, while the service creates a direct scheduled link between the Netherlands and Guyana. Guyana’s tourism proposition includes Kaieteur Falls, rainforest lodges, wildlife and birdwatching.

The country’s international tourism growth is particularly significant because it is occurring alongside a rapidly developing economy and a comparatively small established visitor base.

Suriname — 220,000 visitors

Paramaribo is connected directly with Amsterdam through KLM and Surinam Airways. The route reflects the country’s long-standing historical and linguistic relationship with the Netherlands. Tourism combines the wooden colonial architecture of Paramaribo with rainforest experiences, including the Central Suriname Nature Reserve.

French Guiana — 70,000 visitors

Cayenne is connected directly with Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly through Air France and Air Caraïbes. French Guiana occupies a distinct position within the regional aviation map because it is an overseas department and region of France. European travelers can reach the destination directly from metropolitan France, with tourism centered on the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou, Amazonian environments and the Salvation Islands.

The four European gateways shaping the market

The current network can be understood through four major European aviation gateways.

This division is not absolute, but it illustrates how historical relationships, language, geography and airline hubs continue to influence international aviation.

What the network means for B2B travel planning

For tour operators, corporate travel departments and destination-management companies, the growing direct network creates several practical considerations.

1. Alliance strategy matters

SkyTeam has major strengths through Amsterdam’s KLM, Paris’s Air France and Madrid’s Air Europa. Oneworld has a major European base in Madrid through Iberia and another in London through British Airways, with LATAM providing extensive South American connectivity.

Star Alliance is anchored by Lufthansa, SWISS and TAP Air Portugal in Europe, while Avianca provides an important Bogotá hub. The most efficient loyalty or corporate-routing strategy depends on the specific city pair, schedule and onward connection.

2. Madrid stopovers can turn transit into tourism

Iberia’s Hola Madrid stopover programme allows eligible passengers traveling through Madrid to add time in the Spanish capital on qualifying itineraries, with stays of up to 10 days under the programme’s conditions. For tour operators, this creates scope for combining a European city break with a Latin American long-haul itinerary.

3. Seasonal planning is essential

Not every route in the network operates daily or throughout the year. Leisure markets such as Cartagena, Central American destinations and selected Brazilian routes can see frequency changes according to European winter and summer demand.

Before issuing tickets, travel companies should therefore verify:

• operating days;
• seasonal start and end dates;
• aircraft and cabin configuration;
• baggage rules;
• minimum connection times;
• whether a flight is genuinely non-stop or includes an intermediate stop;
• and the availability of onward domestic connections.

Direct flights are changing the shape of Latin American tourism

The number of flight routes isn’t the only type of development. Sometimes the geographic spread of available flights improves. Brazil has added flights to Recife and Fortaleza. Colombia has added flights to Bogota and Europe via Cartagena. Honduras has added flights to Palmerola and Comayagua. Guyana has added flights to Amsterdam. French Guiana still has its flights to Paris.

In addition, some routes become longer or more frequent. For the summer of 2026, Iberia expects to increase its flights to Latin America by 7.6% and increase its flights to Brazil by 15% and to Buenos Aires by 12%. Because of increased international air travel, better and more direct flights between Europe and Latin America have been created. In addition, travelers from Latin America no longer have to travel to North America to get to Europe.

This trend illustrates the merging nature of international airline and tourism industries. The improvement of airline services across the North Atlantic strengthens connections between European and South American markets, which only creates more demand for additional airline services. The goal of many transportation companies is to merge specific cities in Europe and South America, rather than focus on the entire regions.

As more airlines increase their presence over the North Atlantic, we may expect to see improved and additional air services between secondary markets. It is quite likely that we will see even more specialization and a greater number of air services connecting secondary cities in Europe and South America, thereby further minimizing the air services reliance on North America.