Brazil’s air travel is facing significant disruptions, with major airports in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília severely impacted. LATAM Brasil, Azul, GOL, Flybondi and other airlines have experienced a staggering 30 cancellations and 238 delayed flights, causing widespread chaos for passengers. The disruptions are affecting key cities including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília, with travelers scrambling for alternative arrangements. The delays and cancellations are not only frustrating but also causing significant travel inconveniences for both domestic and international passengers. This includes flights to and from multiple countries, making the impact feel global.

With flights canceled and schedules disrupted, passengers are urged to stay informed and reach out to their airlines for assistance. Brazil’s air travel hiccup shows just how quickly travel plans can unravel, and it highlights the need for flexibility and patience when navigating through these sudden changes.

Overview: Total Impact Across Airports

Total Delays (all four airports): 238Total Cancellations (all four airports): 30

These numbers reflect only the data provided for the four airports — the actual nationwide tally is likely higher if other airports are also experiencing disruptions.

Airport‑by‑Airport Breakdown

São Paulo‑Congonhas Airport (CGH)

Delays: 80Cancellations: 12Airlines Affected at CGHAirlineCancellations (# / %)Delays (# / %)LATAM Brasil6 (2%)22 (9%)Azul Brazilian Airlines3 (3%)13 (14%)GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes3 (1%)45 (18%)

At São Paulo’s central domestic airport, CGH — heavily used by city commuters and business travelers — the impact is substantial. A total of 80 flights have been delayed, and 12 canceled, causing frustration among passengers hoping to connect quickly to other domestic destinations. The disruption is especially noticeable on flights operated by major carriers like LATAM Brasil, Azul, and GOL.

São Paulo‑Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)

Delays: 90Cancellations: 9Airlines Affected at GRUAirlineCancellations (# / %)Delays (# / %)LATAM Brasil6 (1%)48 (11%)Azul Brazilian Airlines2 (3%)11 (20%)GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes1 (0%)11 (5%)Air France0 (0%)1 (20%)LATAM Colombia0 (0%)2 (66%)Aerolineas Argentinas0 (0%)5 (62%)Boliviana de Aviación0 (0%)2 (100%)Ethiopian Airlines0 (0%)1 (16%)Hi Fly0 (0%)2 (100%)ITA Airways0 (0%)1 (50%)LATAM0 (0%)1 (7%)LATAM Peru0 (0%)1 (16%)Turkish Airlines0 (0%)1 (12%)Emirates0 (0%)1 (33%)

At GRU — Brazil’s busiest international gateway — the disruptions today are hitting a wide array of airlines, from domestic carriers to international operators. With 90 flights delayed and 9 cancelled, many travelers bound for destinations abroad may face missed connections or extended layovers. Airlines such as LATAM Brasil, Azul, and GOL account for the bulk of domestic disruptions, while international carriers including Air France, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Emirates, and others are also impacted. For passengers flying internationally, this could mean longer waits at the airport, rebooking hassles, or potential rerouting.

Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG)

Delays: 32Cancellations: 6Airlines Affected at GIGAirlineCancellations (# / %)Delays (# / %)LATAM Brasil6 (9%)3 (4%)Aerolineas Argentinas0 (0%)4 (66%)Azul Brazilian Airlines0 (0%)2 (4%)Flybondi0 (0%)2 (50%)GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes0 (0%)15 (9%)Atlas Air0 (0%)1 (33%)JetSMART0 (0%)1 (12%)LATAM Peru0 (0%)2 (28%)TAP Air Portugal0 (0%)1 (25%)Emirates0 (0%)1 (25%)

Galeão International Airport — a major hub for both domestic travellers and international tourists heading to and from Rio de Janeiro — is also facing air travel disruptions. With 32 delays and 6 cancellations, passengers are likely experiencing extended waiting times, missed domestic connections, or travel plans thrown off course. Domestic carriers like LATAM Brasil and GOL are among those impacted, as are international and regional airlines such as Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, TAP, Emirates, and others. For those arriving or departing by GIG, this could affect holiday plans, connecting flights, or onward journeys to resorts and regional destinations.

Brasília/Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport (BSB)

Delays: 36Cancellations: 3Airlines Affected at BSBAirlineCancellations (# / %)Delays (# / %)LATAM Brasil3 (1%)15 (8%)GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes0 (0%)15 (11%)LATAM Peru0 (0%)1 (50%)Azul Brazilian Airlines0 (0%)5 (13%)

In the national capital, BSB is seeing delays affecting travellers across domestic and regional routes. With 36 flights delayed and 3 canceled, passengers hoping to fly to or from Brasília may find their travel plans disrupted, especially if they rely on timely connections or tight schedules. Carriers such as LATAM Brasil, GOL, Azul, and LATAM Peru are all affected, highlighting that the disruptions are not limited to one or two airlines but are spread across the network.

What Passengers Can Do Now

If your travel plans involve any of the affected airports (CGH, GRU, GIG, or BSB), here are some practical steps you should take immediately:

Verify Flight Status: Before heading to the airport, check your flight status on the airline’s official website or mobile app. Sudden cancellations or delays may update at the last minute.Contact Your Airline: If your flight is delayed or canceled, reach out to the airline. Ask about rebooking options, alternative flights, or potential refunds. Many airlines offer rebooking, vouchers, or other compensatory measures depending on the length of disruption.Consider Alternate Routes or Airports: If you’re delayed at one airport, check whether flights from nearby airports (e.g., using GRU instead of CGH, or GIG instead of departing from another city) might get you to your destination sooner.Arrive Early — or Delay Your Arrival: If your flight is still scheduled but disruptions are ongoing, arriving very early might help. Conversely, if you’re already delayed but not canceled, assess whether it’s worth showing up or waiting until there’s more certainty.Be Flexible and Patient: With a large number of flights impacted, airlines may be overwhelmed. Expect longer lines at counters, longer hold times on calls, and limited available options for rebooking.

Why This Disruption Matters — And What It Shows

This wave of cancellations and delays across four of Brazil’s busiest airports underlines how interconnected the air network is. A disruption at one airport — such as resource constraints, staffing shortages, or weather delays — can ripple across multiple hubs. Today’s tally of 238 delayed flights and 30 cancellations demonstrates that no region is immune: passengers in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and beyond are all feeling the impact.

For many travelers — business professionals, vacationers, families — the air travel disruptions could mean missed connections, delayed meetings, or disrupted holiday plans. International travelers might face complications in onward travel, especially if they have tight connections to overseas flights.

Final Thoughts

Today’s widespread air travel disruptions serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of air travel when multiple hubs are simultaneously affected. If you’re flying through CGH, GRU, GIG, or BSB, check your flight status, stay in touch with your airline, and be prepared for possible rebooking or delays. Flexibility, early planning, and patience will be your best strategies to navigate this challenging travel day.

Source: FlightAware and affectd Airports

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