The
Northeast began 2026 on a growth trajectory with passenger flows at its airports above the national average. In January, terminals in the region recorded 4.39 million passengers, combining boardings and disembarkations on domestic and international flights. The volume represents a 11.56% increase compared to the same month in 2025, according to data from the Supply and Demand Report of the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac), compiled by the Ministry of Ports and Airports.
In the same period, air traffic movement in Brazil grew approximately 9.8%, placing the Northeast among regions with performance above the national average at the start of the year. The result reinforces the importance of aviation for regional mobility and strategic activities in the Northeast economy, such as tourism, commerce and services.
According to the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, growth in the Northeast demonstrates once again the importance of aviation for the country's development. "Aviation plays a fundamental role in Brazil's integration. When we see regions like the Northeast growing above the national average, it shows that we are advancing in expanding air connectivity, strengthening tourism and creating better conditions for regional development," he said.
"We are advancing in expanding air connectivity, strengthening tourism and creating better conditions for regional development" Silvio Costa Filho
Busiest airports
Among the region's busiest airports, Recife (PE) stood out, recording 995.3 thousand passengers, equivalent to 22.66% of all regional air traffic. Following are Salvador (BA), with 865.7 thousand passengers (19.71%), and Fortaleza (CE), with 628.9 thousand passengers (14.32%). Together, the three airports concentrated more than half of the region's air circulation in the period, acting as important connection hubs for domestic and international flights.
Airports with strong tourism appeal also had significant participation in regional movement, such as Maceió (AL), with 336,148 passengers; Porto Seguro (BA), with 319,128; Natal (RN), with 274,625; and João Pessoa (PB), with 204,120; as well as strategic terminals for regional integration, such as São Luís (MA), Aracaju (SE) and Teresina (PI).
International tourism on the rise
Growth in air traffic movement also reflects the increase in international flows to the Northeast. In January, airports in the region recorded 229 thousand passengers on international flights, with emphasis on connections with Portugal, Argentina, France, Spain, Chile and the United States.
Data from the Embratur panel, based on Federal Police records, indicate that 73.8 thousand visitors residing abroad, foreigners or Brazilians living outside the country, arrived in the Northeast in the period, an increase of 59% compared to January 2025.
Among the main destinations for these travelers are Bahia, Pernambuco, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte and Alagoas, states that concentrate a significant portion of the region's international airport infrastructure. The data also show a strong presence of South American and European tourists, with emphasis on visitors from Argentina, Portugal, Italy, France and Uruguay.
Source: https://www.gov.br/portos-e-aeroportos/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2026/03/nordeste-cresce-11-6-na-aviacao-e-supera-media-nacional-de-movimentacao-aerea-em-janeiro
