Passengers Stranded at São Paulo-Guarulhos International as LATAM Brasil, Air France, American Airlines, GOL Linhas Aéreas and Others Delay 160+ Flights and Cancel 7, Impacting São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Lisbon, Paris, and More

Published on January 9, 2026

Flight delays and cancellations wreaked havoc at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport today, with over 160 flights delayed and seven cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or uncertain about their travel plans. Major airlines, including LATAM Brasil, Air France, American Airlines, and GOL Linhas Aéreas, were among the hardest hit, with many of their flights disrupted across domestic and international routes.

LATAM Brasil Takes the Brunt of the Chaos

LATAM Brasil, the largest airline operating at São Paulo-Guarulhos, had the highest number of delayed flights, accounting for a significant portion of the overall disruptions. With 93 delays and 6 cancellations, LATAM’s passengers were hit hardest by the operational issues plaguing the airport.

The airline’s passengers faced significant delays across several routes, including domestic flights between São Paulo and major Brazilian cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, as well as international flights to destinations like Miami and Lisbon. The airline has assured its passengers that it is working diligently to manage the situation and provide timely updates, but many passengers were left frustrated, stranded in the terminals for hours on end.

Despite the ongoing delays, LATAM Brasil maintained a large share of the cancellations at São Paulo-Guarulhos, contributing six out of the seven cancellations recorded at the airport today.

Air France and American Airlines Also Hit by Disruptions

Air France, another prominent international carrier at São Paulo-Guarulhos, faced a 50% cancellation rate on its flights, with one flight cancelled out of two scheduled. The disruptions were not limited to just LATAM Brasil and Air France, as American Airlines also had one cancellation and zero delays on its flights operating through the airport.

American Airlines’ cancellation involved a flight between São Paulo and Dallas-Fort Worth, affecting numerous passengers. Many of these travelers have been rebooked onto alternative flights, although there are concerns over the lack of timely communication and prolonged wait times.

GOL Linhas Aéreas Affects Many Passengers

Brazilian budget airline GOL Linhas Aéreas saw the largest share of cancellations in the Brazilian domestic sector, with 37 flights cancelled—accounting for 16% of the airline’s total flights from São Paulo-Guarulhos. GOL also experienced a high number of delayed flights, further compounding the chaos at the airport.

Passengers traveling to popular Brazilian destinations such as Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza experienced delays exceeding three hours in some cases. The disruptions come amid a larger trend of delays across Brazilian airspace, with the national aviation authority, ANAC (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil), issuing several statements calling for greater cooperation between airlines and the regulatory bodies.

International Flights Also Impacted by Severe Delays

The disruptions at São Paulo-Guarulhos also stretched to international flights, leaving thousands of passengers in uncertainty. Several international airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and South African Airways, also reported minor delays.

Flights to and from major European cities such as Paris, London, and Frankfurt faced delays due to air traffic control restrictions and unexpected maintenance issues at São Paulo-Guarulhos. Many passengers bound for international destinations had to contend with the frustrating combination of delayed departures and the prospect of missing connecting flights in other countries.

São Paulo-Guarulhos Responds to the Crisis

In the face of this crisis, the São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport Authority has issued several public statements, explaining that they are actively working with airlines to mitigate further delays and minimize the inconvenience to passengers. According to airport authorities, maintenance issues, staff shortages, and weather-related factors contributed to the operational difficulties today.

“Passengers should stay informed through airline updates and the airport’s official channels. We are doing everything we can to resolve the situation promptly,” the airport statement read.

What Passengers Can Do

For affected passengers, the most important step is to stay informed. Airlines have been advised to provide timely updates and to rebook passengers where necessary. Travelers are encouraged to check in with their airline through official apps or customer service lines.

Passengers with delayed flights should also consider booking accommodations near the airport in case their flight is significantly delayed beyond the scheduled departure time.

What’s Next for São Paulo-Guarulhos?

While the disruptions have caused considerable inconvenience for travelers, São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport is unlikely to experience an immediate rebound. Airlines are already preparing for possible additional delays tomorrow, as the backlog of delayed flights continues to affect the airport’s schedule.

As the day continues to unfold, aviation regulators, including ANAC and Brazilian aviation authorities, have stepped in to investigate the root causes of the disruptions and ensure that the airport’s operations return to normal as quickly as possible.

The ongoing situation at São Paulo-Guarulhos highlights the fragility of air travel systems, particularly during peak travel periods. Passengers traveling through Brazil’s busiest airport are advised to remain patient and flexible as they navigate the current chaos.

Conclusion: An Ongoing Challenge for Travelers

For now, passengers stuck in São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport can only hope that the situation will improve in the coming hours. With multiple cancellations and hundreds of delays, travelers are left waiting for airlines to resolve the issues at hand. As airlines continue to work on managing their schedules and accommodating affected passengers, it remains to be seen how long it will take for normal operations to resume.