Supply drops 4.3% in May and affects the North region the most; sector is also preparing for the end of tax incentives on fuels
Brazilian airlines had a 4.3% drop in daily flight availability in May compared to the beginning of April, which represents 93 fewer trips every day. The cut volume takes 31 large aircraft out of operation and represents around 14,000 fewer daily seats for passengers. More expensive fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East and the upcoming end of tax incentives for the sector contribute to this scenario.
Data from Anac (National Civil Aviation Agency), obtained through Abear (Brazilian Association of Airlines), show that, on April 2, there were an estimated 2,193 flights per day in Brazil. However, information from May 12 shows that the projection fell to 2,100 daily flights.
ANNUAL COMPARISON
When analyzing the total volume, the reduction is also reflected in the comparison with the previous year. In May 2025, 66,309 flights were carried out, while Updated projection indicates 65,105 flights in total in May 2026. This means 1,204 fewer takeoffs, a drop of 1.8% compared to the same month last year.
THE WEIGHT OF FUEL
Aviation kerosene is mainly responsible for this reduction in the network. It usually represents around 1/3 of all company expenses.
Since February, the price of oil has risen worldwide due to the war in Iran, which has made the operating costs of planes more expensive.
Another factor of attention for the sector is that the benefit of reduced tax payments on aviation fuel ends on May 31st. Without this tax incentive, the expectation is that companies’ financial balance sheets will come under even more pressure in the coming months.
CUTS ARE NOT THE SAME ACROSS THE COUNTRY
To deal with rising costs, companies chose to maintain the most profitable routes, generally those busiest with passengers traveling for work. Therefore, flight reductions hit some regions harder than others.
The North was the most impacted. Acre leads the list of most affected destinations, with a 14.7% cut in the number of trips. Amazonas appears next, with a 13.6% drop.
Pernambuco (-11.2%), Goiás (-9.8%) and Pará (-9.3%) were also significantly affected.
COMPANY STRATEGY
According to the journalist Cristian Favaro, from Azul has adjusted its routes so that operations continue to provide financial returns. The company announced that it may make further cuts if the economic scenario does not improve.
Latam Brasil reported that, for now, it has only made occasional changes to trips.
The future scenario indicates a worsening of the situation. A comparison of Anac’s projections shows that companies are already estimating a decrease of 121 daily flights for the month of June. The cut means a 5.3% drop in the projected network and represents 40 fewer aircraft in operation.
