LATAM Joins Air France, Emirates, and More: New 2026 Flights to Brazil, South Africa, Europe, and Asia — You Won’t Believe the Destinations!

Published on December 24, 2025

The LATAM Group continues to strengthen its connectivity across South America and abroad by launching several new routes in 2026. These additions, announced through official statements and government sources, mark a significant expansion of the airline’s domestic and international network. The moves are part of a broader strategy to enhance Brazil’s air connectivity, support tourism and commerce, and create direct links between Latin American hubs and key global destinations. This article summarizes all the new flights that LATAM is introducing in 2026, outlining their schedules, frequencies, and anticipated impacts on passengers and local economies.

Domestic Network Expansion in Brazil

Enhanced São Paulo–Minas Gerais Connectivity

One of the major focal points of LATAM’s 2026 plans is strengthening ties between the state of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Starting in March 2026, the carrier will boost service between Congonhas Airport in São Paulo and Confins Airport in Belo Horizonte. The existing service will expand to 58 weekly flights, providing business travellers and residents with more convenient scheduling options and improving the reliability of one of Brazil’s busiest domestic routes[1]. In addition to this expanded frequency, direct service between Congonhas and Uberlândia, a key economic hub in Minas Gerais, will be increased to 13 weekly flights. These flights will reduce travel times for passengers who previously had to connect through other cities and will support regional commerce.

New Routes from São Paulo/Guarulhos to Interior Cities

Several new routes are being launched from Guarulhos International Airport, the principal hub for LATAM’s international operations. On 5 January 2026, a new service connecting Guarulhos to Uberaba will commence. The route will operate three times per week, utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft. This direct link will stimulate tourism and facilitate business travel for residents of Uberaba, who previously relied on connections through Brasília or Belo Horizonte[2]. Additionally, on 1 May 2026, a daily Guarulhos–Juiz de Fora flight will be inaugurated using narrow‑body aircraft to serve one of Minas Gerais’s largest cities[2]. The new flights are expected to ease congestion at Belo Horizonte’s airport by providing a direct connection to São Paulo’s economic center.

LATAM also plans to connect Guarulhos to destinations beyond Minas Gerais. Starting June 2026, daily flights will link Guarulhos to Caldas Novas in Goiás, a city popular for its hot springs and resorts. Another route will connect Guarulhos to Campina Grande in Paraíba, offering daily service beginning in May 2026[2]. These routes reflect the airline’s strategy of tapping into Brazil’s growing regional tourism market.

Brasília Hub Developments

The federal capital’s airport will also gain new services in 2026. On 1 May 2026, a Brasília–Campina Grande route will begin with daily flights, providing Paraíba’s interior with direct access to the nation’s capital and onward connectivity to LATAM’s extensive network[2]. In July 2026, LATAM will launch daily flights linking Brasília to Uberlândia, filling a gap in the domestic network and ensuring that Minas Gerais’s second‑largest city has a nonstop link to the federal capital[3]. Another important addition is the Brasília–São José do Rio Preto route, set to begin in September 2026 with daily service; this will serve business travellers from the inland city of São Paulo state[4].

Expansion in the Northeast: Belo Horizonte/Confins to Fortaleza

As part of its plan to boost tourism to Brazil’s Northeast, LATAM will introduce a Belo Horizonte/Confins–Fortaleza route. Daily operations will commence in June 2026[3]. This link between the capital of Minas Gerais and the coastal city of Fortaleza will connect travelers from Brazil’s interior to one of the country’s most popular beach destinations without requiring a connection through São Paulo or Brasília.

Additional Frequency Increases

Besides new routes, the airline will adjust capacity on existing services. São Paulo/Guarulhos–Uberlândia will receive five additional weekly flights starting in June 2026, bringing the total to 26 weekly flights to meet growing demand[1]. These expansions underscore LATAM’s confidence in the Brazilian domestic market and its strategy of connecting major economic centers with regional hubs.

International Route Launches

Linking South America and Europe

São Paulo–Amsterdam (April 2026)

In April 2026, LATAM will inaugurate a new intercontinental route between São Paulo/Guarulhos and Amsterdam. The service will operate three times per week and be served by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering a modern long‑haul experience. Amsterdam will become a new European gateway for LATAM passengers, providing convenient connections to cities across Europe and Asia through the Dutch capital’s major hub. By adding Amsterdam to its network, LATAM aims to capture leisure and business travelers between Brazil and northern Europe[5].

São Paulo–Brussels (June 2026)

A significant milestone for the airline and for Belgium’s aviation sector will occur in June 2026 when LATAM begins three weekly flights between São Paulo/Guarulhos and Brussels. This will be the first direct passenger connection between Belgium and Latin America in more than two decades. The route will facilitate tourism and corporate travel and strengthen trade ties by allowing cargo and passengers to move more efficiently between South America and the European Union’s capital[6]. Brussels Airport officials have highlighted the importance of this connection in expanding the airport’s intercontinental network and offering passengers another point of entry into South America.

São Paulo–Cape Town (September 2026)

Further south, LATAM will launch a São Paulo/Guarulhos–Cape Town route in September 2026, offering three weekly flights on Boeing 787‑9 aircraft. This will mark the first direct link between a South American airline and South Africa’s Western Cape province. Cape Town tourism and investment officials have noted that the flights will significantly enhance connectivity for both leisure and business travelers, boosting tourism from South America and facilitating trade and investment between Brazil and South Africa[7]. For LATAM passengers, the route will provide a direct option to reach one of Africa’s most iconic cities without transiting through other continents.

Strengthening Regional Links Within South America

LATAM’s 2026 international expansion is not limited to Europe and Africa. The airline is also increasing frequencies and launching new connections within the continent. Although not new routes, service between São Paulo and Santiago and other key South American capitals will see greater capacity with additional flights scheduled to meet growing demand. These adjustments complement the new intercontinental services and ensure that passengers traveling from Europe and Africa via São Paulo can continue onward to destinations across South America.

Implications for Passengers and Regional Economies

Supporting Tourism and Economic Development

By adding these new routes, LATAM is positioning itself to capitalize on the rebound in air travel while supporting local economies. Direct connections between regional cities and major hubs reduce travel times and costs, encouraging tourism and business trips. For example, the new Congonhas–Confins and Guarulhos–Uberaba routes will simplify journeys for entrepreneurs and commuters between Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Similarly, the international flights to Amsterdam, Brussels and Cape Town will attract European and African tourists to Brazil while facilitating exports and imports by providing additional cargo capacity[6][7].

Enhanced Connectivity for Secondary Cities

Many of the new domestic routes connect smaller cities directly to larger hubs. Uberaba, Juiz de Fora and São José do Rio Preto will gain nonstop access to São Paulo and Brasília, reducing reliance on long overland travel or flight connections. These links are expected to spur local development by improving access to markets and making travel more efficient for residents and businesses. The introduction of Caldas Novas and Campina Grande into LATAM’s network will similarly broaden the tourism appeal of these destinations, giving travelers in the interior of Brazil more options to explore the country’s varied landscapes.

Modern Fleet and Sustainability Considerations

LATAM’s deployment of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on long‑haul routes to Europe and Africa underscores a commitment to fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. The Dreamliner is known for lower carbon emissions per seat compared with older wide‑body aircraft, and its use aligns with industry efforts to reduce aviation’s environmental impact. On domestic routes, the airline will continue to use modern Airbus A320 family aircraft, which offer efficient operations and flexibility for short‑haul flights. These choices suggest that the airline is mindful of sustainability while expanding its network.

Competitive Positioning

LATAM’s 2026 expansion strategy responds to growing competition in the Latin American aviation market. By launching first‑of‑their‑kind routes such as Brussels and Cape Town, the airline differentiates itself from competitors and positions itself as a connector between South America and emerging tourism and business destinations. At the same time, the domestic network expansion helps solidify LATAM’s dominance in Brazil by reaching more regional airports than any other airline[3]. Enhancing frequencies on popular routes such as Congonhas–Confins signals a proactive approach to meeting demand and maintaining market share in the face of low‑cost and regional carriers.

Conclusion

The LATAM Group’s schedule of new flights for 2026 reflects a strategic blend of domestic and international expansion. Within Brazil, the airline is doubling down on connectivity between São Paulo, Brasília and regional centers, providing new routes and higher frequencies that will benefit both leisure and business travelers. Internationally, the introduction of flights to Amsterdam, Brussels and Cape Town opens new gateways between South America and Europe and Africa, marking significant milestones for passengers and cargo alike. By deploying modern aircraft and aligning with government initiatives to promote economic development, LATAM is poised to play a leading role in connecting Brazil with the world. Travelers can look forward to more options, improved schedules and direct links to destinations that were previously served only via connections.