LATAM launches São Paulo–Amsterdam route with six weekly flights and historic operational expansion

LATAM Airlines officially launched its new route between São Paulo/Guarulhos and Amsterdam on the 27th, during an event held at the Sheraton São Paulo WTC Hotel. Originally planned with three weekly frequencies, the service begins with six flights per week, reflecting robust market demand.

Aline Mafra, LATAM’s Director of Sales and Marketing, highlighted the route’s unprecedented performance: “It’s the first time in 20 years that we’ve doubled a route’s capacity before it even started. The sales response has been extremely strong.”

According to Mafra, Amsterdam was a strategic choice due to its balance of leisure and business demand, as well as its role as a key logistics hub in Europe. “It’s a destination that combines both tourism and corporate demand, providing greater operational confidence,” she explained.

Strong commercial performance drives rapid expansion

The route’s success was immediate. Even before launch, Amsterdam stood out in LATAM’s major sales campaigns.

“It was the top-selling route in two of our largest campaigns, which shows this is a well-established demand with a fast response,” Mafra added.

She also noted operational challenges tied to the rapid growth: “We had to redesign our planning several times, which is unusual, but it reflects an extremely positive market response.”

Growth figures highlight LATAM’s European expansion

Marcus Campos, LATAM’s Air Business and Infrastructure Manager, presented data underscoring the airline’s growth.

In 2025, LATAM carried more than 47 million passengers, including around 40 million domestically and nearly 8 million internationally. Approximately 2 million passengers traveled between São Paulo and Europe alone.

The airline’s share of São Paulo’s international market now exceeds 36%. Growth is also evident in flight frequencies, increasing from 53 in 2024 to a projected 68 by 2026.

LATAM currently operates 10 European destinations—eight established and two new: Amsterdam and Brussels. Highlights include 12 weekly flights to Lisbon, daily services to London, Frankfurt, and Milan, as well as expanded operations to Barcelona, Rome, and Madrid.

Cargo capacity has also increased significantly, with an additional 640 tons per week, boosting Brazilian exports, particularly perishable goods.

Guarulhos strengthens its role as a major global hub

Cláudio Ferreira, Director of Customers and New Business at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, emphasized the scale of the operation.

The airport functions like a city, with around 40,000 workers operating 24/7. “It’s a city of roughly 200,000 people moving through it daily, with all the challenges that entails,” he said.

Guarulhos remains the largest airport in Latin America, handling more than 47 million passengers in the past year, including approximately 16.8 million international travelers.

On a daily basis, the airport records around 822 aircraft movements. It also handles between 700,000 and 800,000 tons of cargo annually, accounting for about 53% of Brazil’s air imports and 58% of exports.

Currently, the airport serves 55 international destinations, 58 domestic routes, and 12 dedicated cargo operations. Passenger traffic is expected to reach 50 million this year.

Infrastructure is keeping pace with this growth, with more than 130 commercial operations, 25 financial services, around 7,000 parking spaces—with expansion planned—and continued investments in security, technology, and passenger experience.

Strengthening international ties

The new route also reinforces ties between Brazil and the Netherlands, which are celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations.

Peter de Bruijn, Operations Manager at the Dutch Consulate in São Paulo, noted that the Netherlands is Brazil’s fourth-largest export destination, totaling nearly $12 billion in the past year.

The country is also a major tourism hub, with around 1,100 museums, a strong cultural calendar, and a focus on sustainable tourism.

Tourism growth and global visibility

Philipe Karat, Transport Coordinator at Embratur, highlighted the rise in international tourism: “European tourism to Brazil has grown by 18%, while the Dutch market increased by 25%.”

“Brazil is in the global spotlight. The world is looking at the country, which strengthens both tourism and business,” he added.

Regional impact

Luís Antônio Sobrinho, consultant at InvestSP, emphasized the economic impact: “São Paulo is the largest hub in the Southern Hemisphere, and this connection further enhances our ability to attract tourism and investment.”

Fernando Capato, mayor of Holambra, highlighted the cultural connection: “This flight brings Brazilians and Dutch people even closer, especially given the city’s strong historical ties to the Netherlands.”

Reported by: Mary de Aquino.

Photo: LATAM Airlines.