TAM, GOL Linhas Aéreas, Azul, and More Airlines Cause Travel Disruptions in Brazil as a Dozen New Flights Are Cancelled Affecting Routes to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Curitiba, New York, and More

Published on December 29, 2025

Air travelers across Brazil are facing growing uncertainty as a wave of flight cancellations impacts major airports and key airline routes. Both domestic and international schedules are disrupted, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives. From Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo and beyond, the latest cancellations are creating a challenging environment for those planning trips in the coming days. Overall, there are 12 cancelled flights affecting key destinations including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Vitória, New York, and Madrid.

Major Airports Hit by Cancellations

Several of Brazil’s busiest airports are at the center of this disruption:

Santos Dumont Regional Airport (SBRJ) – Rio de Janeiro

• TAM flight 3907 (A319) to São Paulo-Congonhas, scheduled for Monday at 07:35 AM, was cancelled.
• GOL flight 1035 (B738) to São Paulo-Congonhas, scheduled for Sunday at 04:35 PM, was also grounded.
  These cancellations affect one of the country’s busiest domestic air corridors, connecting Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

São Paulo-Congonhas Airport (SBSP)

• TAM flight 3908 (A319) to Santos Dumont Regional in Rio, scheduled for Monday at 09:25 AM, was cancelled.
• GOL flight 1028 (B738) to Santos Dumont Regional, scheduled for Sunday at 02:40 PM, was also cancelled.
  The repeated cancellations on this route are causing major inconvenience for passengers relying on this frequent connection between the two cities.

São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (SBGR)

• American Airlines flight 950 (B789) to John F. Kennedy International, New York, scheduled for Sunday at 11:00 PM, was cancelled.
• TAM flight 8076 (B789) to Madrid-Barajas, scheduled for Sunday at 09:20 PM, was grounded.
• Azul Airlines experienced multiple disruptions:
  • Flight 2764 (A20N) to Guararapes Int’l, Recife, cancelled at 02:10 PM.
  • Flight 4826 (E190) to Afonso Pena Int’l, Curitiba, cancelled at 09:55 AM.
  • Flight 2853 (A20N) to Salgado Filho Int’l, Porto Alegre, cancelled at 08:20 AM.
  • Flight 3330 (A320) to Goiabeiras, Vitória, cancelled at 07:25 AM.

Table of All Cancellations

Total cancellations: 12
Affected destinations: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Vitória, New York, Madrid

Domestic and International Impact

Domestic Routes:

• The Rio–São Paulo corridor is particularly affected, with multiple TAM and GOL flights cancelled in both directions.
• Other domestic routes from São Paulo-Guarulhos to cities like Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Vitória, and Recife have also been affected by Azul Airlines delays and TAM cancellations.

International Routes:

• Travelers departing São Paulo-Guarulhos for destinations such as New York (American Airlines) and Madrid (TAM) have faced last-minute disruptions, highlighting the international dimension of these cancellations.

Reasons Behind the Cancellations

While specific explanations vary, multiple factors contribute to the current spate of Brazil flight cancellations:

• Operational pressures at major airports, including staffing shortages.
• High passenger demand on key domestic routes leading to scheduling conflicts.
• Logistical challenges affecting aircraft availability, particularly for international flights.
• Coordination and timing issues that cascade from domestic to international flights, amplifying the impact on travelers.

Impact on Passengers

For those navigating these disruptions, several points are crucial:

• Always check the latest updates directly with your airline before traveling.
• Consider alternative flights or airports to reduce delays.
• Be aware of potential knock-on effects for connecting flights due to cancelled departures.
• Allow extra time for airport procedures as congestion may increase at major hubs.

Substantial Regional Disruptions

• São Paulo airport disruptions continue to be a major challenge, with both Congonhas and Guarulhos experiencing a high number of cancellations.
• Rio de Janeiro flight cancellations particularly affect Santos Dumont Regional, disrupting one of the busiest domestic corridors.

Key Takeaways – Quick Overview

• TAM flight cancellations: Rio–São Paulo and international flights to Madrid impacted.
• GOL flight cancellations: Domestic flights between Rio and São Paulo disrupted.
• Azul Airlines delays: Regional routes from São Paulo-Guarulhos affected.
• Major airports impacted: Santos Dumont (Rio), Congonhas, and Guarulhos (São Paulo).
• Travelers advised: Monitor updates, consider alternative routes, and anticipate delays on both domestic and international flights.

Conclusion

The ongoing disruptions underscore the fragility of Brazil’s air travel infrastructure in the face of operational challenges. With multiple airlines and key airports affected, the current round of Brazil flight cancellations is set to influence travel plans for many passengers. Staying informed and planning alternative routes remain essential for anyone navigating flights across Brazil in the coming days.