Thursday, June 19, 2025
GOL Linhas Aéreas has launched a new direct route connecting Miami and Belém, enhancing the travel corridor between North America and Brazil’s Amazon region. The route, which commenced on June 15, will initially operate one flight per week, with plans to increase to two flights weekly starting June 26. The service, operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft, offers vital air access to Belém, one of Brazil’s most important regional hubs, while linking it directly to Miami, a major international travel center.
The timing of this new route is significant for Belém, which will host the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November 2025, attracting global attention. As the city continues to undergo substantial investment and infrastructure upgrades, this new air link will play a pivotal role in supporting its growing international recognition.
This Miami-Belém service is part of a larger wave of increased air connectivity between Brazil and the United States. In the past year and a half, several new routes have been introduced, demonstrating the heightened demand for travel between the two countries. Additional recent route expansions include:
- Azul’s Fort Lauderdale to Belém route, operating four times a week since 2022
- Direct flights from Orlando to Belo Horizonte, also operated by Azul
- Miami to Manaus, served by LATAM and Avianca
- Regular services from U.S. cities like Houston, Dallas, New York, Atlanta, and Miami to São Paulo (GRU), operated by American Airlines, United, Delta, LATAM, and GOL
The significant increase in direct flights between the U.S. and Brazil reflects the growing collaboration in tourism and trade between the two nations. Over 200 weekly direct flights now operate between the two countries, a notable rise compared to pre-pandemic levels. The United States remains a key source of international visitors to Brazil, further supported by an expanding network of air routes.
“In 2023 and 2024, we achieved growth in Brazil’s connectivity well above the global average, which allowed us to reach record numbers in flights, tourist arrivals, and tourism revenue,” said Marcelo Freixo, President of Embratur, the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of International Tourism.
According to the official, in 2025 the number of international tourist arrivals to Brazil is expected to grow by 50%, while the UN Tourism forecast for the rest of the world ranges between 3% and 5%. “These numbers are the result of the high-quality work we’re doing to attract international flights and promote our tourist destinations abroad; never before had so many tourists arrived, and now they’re coming to a wider range of destinations, which helps regionalize development and create jobs,” Freixo explained.
The rise in air travel complements Brazil’s robust tourism growth. From January to May 2025, Brazil welcomed 4.89 million international visitors, marking a 49.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Rio de Janeiro saw a remarkable uptick, attracting over one million international tourists during the first five months, with the May surge largely fueled by a prominent concert at Copacabana Beach.
In addition to tourism growth, Brazil is experiencing a strong economic rebound. Between January and March 2025, the country attracted USD 81 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the tourism sector, an 88% increase over the same period in 2024. Investments in transport infrastructure led the way, followed by sectors such as culture and leisure. Brazil’s total FDI in tourism-related areas reached USD 360 million in 2024, a 40% rise compared to the previous year.
Brazil also stood as the second-largest global recipient of FDI in 2024, securing nearly BRL 400 billion (approximately USD 70 billion) in investments, trailing only the United States.
With the expansion of air routes and a thriving tourism industry, Brazil is increasingly positioning itself as a leading destination for both international tourists and business investments, supported by ongoing infrastructure improvements and greater global connectivity.
