Tomé Franca cites 7.7% Brazil passenger rise and Dominican Republic route growth
Brazil’s air passenger traffic rose 7.7% in the first quarter of the year, and the Ministry of Ports and Airports linked the increase to 33.5 million passengers carried between January and March. The strongest growth came from international flights, which moved 8.3 million passengers and rose 13% from the same period in 2025. Tomé Franca said the trend points to growth in the sector and the Brazilian economy, while warning that higher jet fuel prices could still slow the pace.
International flights lead Brazil
International traffic outpaced domestic travel across the quarter. Brazil’s domestic market reached 25.2 million passengers, up 6%, while March brought 8 million domestic passengers and 2.6 million international passengers. March domestic traffic rose 1.3% from a year earlier, and March international traffic climbed 8.9%.
Franca said: “We know there is a cyclical and global crisis affecting jet fuel prices, and this may impact air passenger traffic over the course of the year. But this growth highlights the importance of adopting the measures we are proposing to minimize the war’s impact on fares.”
Jet fuel costs and government steps
The ministry tied the figures to demand and supply data from ANAC. It also said the government has already taken steps to reduce the effect of higher jet fuel costs through tax exemptions, grace periods for airlines to pay air navigation fees, and special credit lines. Those measures sit alongside a strong quarter, but they also show that the airline recovery is still being measured against fuel pressure rather than passenger demand alone.
March closes the quarter
The March numbers matter because they show the quarter did not rely on one strong month alone. Domestic travel stayed above 8 million passengers, and international traffic reached 2.6 million passengers in the month, keeping both segments in growth territory. For travelers, airlines, and airports in Brazil, the immediate picture is a busier market with the cost side of flying still under strain.
