Passenger movement grows almost 5% at airports in the Northeast

More than 19 million people passed through the region's main terminals in the first half of the year, with particular emphasis on Recife, Salvador and Fortaleza

The Brazilian Northeast continues to be one of the country's most sought-after destinations. In the first half of 2025, more than 19.3 million passengers passed through the region's main airports, on domestic and international flights, confirming its status as one of the top destinations for leisure and business tourism. This data is part of the National Civil Aviation Agency's (ANAC) Supply and Demand Report, released this week. According to the survey, this figure represents a 4.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 18.4 million passengers passed through the terminals.

According to the survey, the Northeast region has three airports that rank among the country's top terminals in terms of traffic volume. Together, the airports in Recife (PE), Salvador (BA), and Fortaleza (CE) handled more than 11.2 million passengers.

The capital of Pernambuco had the busiest airport during the first half of the year. Among flights, 4.68 million passed through Recife International Airport. This represents a 2.5% increase compared to the same period last year (4.57 million), confirming the terminal as the region's main hub, with direct routes to capitals in other regions of Brazil and connections to countries in Latin America and Europe.

In Bahia, the Salvador terminal saw significant growth of 5.1% compared to the first half of last year, with 3.7 million passengers. The previous year, it handled 3.5 million. Next comes Fortaleza Airport in Ceará, with over 2.8 million travelers and a 7.4% increase compared to 2024, when 2.6 million passengers passed through the airport.

The largest percentage increases, however, were recorded at airports in Maceió (AL), with 1.4 million passengers and an increase of 14.1% compared to 2024 (1.2 million), and Porto Seguro, in Bahia, with 1.17 million and 15% more than in the first half of last year (1.02 million).

Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho celebrated the figures and confirmed that this is "the best period for civil aviation in Brazil." He said the Northeast has been gaining momentum in the sector due to investments in the region and the expansion of the airline network.

Rounding out the list of the 10 busiest northeastern terminals in the semester are São Gonçalo do Amarante (RN), with 1.13 million, Santa Rita (PB), 871,012, Aracaju International Airport (SE), with 635,910, and Teresina Airport (PI), with 521,932.

Brazilian civil aviation saw growth nationwide in the first half of this year. According to a survey by the Ministry of Ports and Airports, based on the National Civil Aviation Agency's (ANAC) Supply and Demand Report, 61.8 million passengers traveled on domestic and international flights across the country, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, when 56.2 million travelers passed through Brazilian terminals.