Thousands of Travelers Stranded in South America as Azul, Clic, SATENA, American, GOL and Other Airlines Face 56 Cancelled Flights and 211 Delays in Brazil, Peru and Colombia at São Paulo, Florianópolis, Bogotá, Neiva and More

Published on November 3, 2025

Severe weather has caused chaos across South America, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. With 56 cancelled flights and 211 delays, passengers are facing significant disruptions. Airlines such as Azul, Clic Air, SATENA, American Airlines, GOL, and several others are struggling to manage the fallout. The impact is being felt at major airports like São Paulo, Florianópolis, Bogotá, and Neiva. The weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and the threat of hailstorms, has led to widespread delays and cancellations. Brazil, Peru, and Colombia are the hardest-hit countries, with operations at key hubs grinding to a halt.

Travelers are urged to stay updated on their flight statuses. With more disruptions expected, it’s crucial to monitor real-time information from airlines. Many are offering flexible rebooking options, but delays may continue through the day as airports work to clear the backlog.

The flight disruptions across South America are primarily due to severe weather conditions, as reported by the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). According to an official update issued three hours ago, heavy rainfalls between 20 and 30 mm/h, with possible accumulation of up to 50 mm/day, are expected. These conditions are accompanied by intense winds ranging from 40 to 60 km/h and the potential for hailstorms. The weather event poses a low risk of power outages, but it could lead to damage to crops, fallen tree branches, and flooding. These adverse conditions are impacting airport operations, causing delays and cancellations across major airports in Brazil and Colombia.

Major Airports Affected

São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil

The busiest hub in Brazil reported 79 delays and 2 cancellations. Airlines hit hardest include Azul Brazilian Airlines with 2 cancellations and 6 delays, while GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes and LATAM Brasil recorded 24 and 39 delays respectively. International carriers like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and American Airlines also reported single delayed flights.

São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, Brazil

The city’s second major airport recorded 21 delays and 8 cancellations, affecting mainly domestic routes. While not as severe as Guarulhos, the cancellations are a concern for short-haul passengers within Brazil.

Guararapes (Gilberto Freyre) International Airport, Recife, Brazil

In northeastern Brazil, Guararapes International saw 16 delays and 5 cancellations. Travelers heading to and from Recife faced morning and midday disruptions, with cascading effects on connecting flights across the country.

Santos Dumont Regional Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A smaller but vital hub for domestic travelers, Santos Dumont logged 10 delays and 4 cancellations. This impacted frequent shuttle flights between Rio and São Paulo, a major corridor for business passengers.

El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá faced some of the most serious disruptions in the region, with 45 delays and 26 cancellations. Avianca was the most affected airline, with 23 cancellations and 6 delays, followed by LATAM Colombia with 3 cancellations and 11 delays. Other carriers such as Clic Air, SATENA, and United also reported multiple delays.

Other Affected Airports in Colombia

Smaller Colombian airports also experienced cancellations:

• Camilo Daza International (Cúcuta) – 4 cancellations
• Los Garzones Airport (Montería) – 3 cancellations
• Antonio Nariño Airport (Pasto) – 4 cancellations

While smaller in scale, these cancellations have stranded travelers connecting through Bogotá and other major Colombian cities.What Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers with scheduled flights today are urged to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. Most airlines are offering free rebooking or flexible travel options for affected travelers. Using official airline apps or websites can provide real-time updates faster than airport announcements.

Those stranded at airports should head directly to airline service counters or customer service chat channels online for rebooking. Keeping boarding passes and receipts is important if claiming refunds or compensation later. For international travelers, staying in touch with local embassies or travel insurance providers is also advised in case of long delays.

With weather changes and operational strain contributing to the disruptions, travelers should expect continued ripple effects through the evening.

Source: FlightAware and Affected Airports