Vinci Airports, operator of Salvador Bahia International (SSA), unveiled its most ambitious high-season schedule since taking over the concession in 2018. Between 15 December 2025 and 31 January 2026 the airport will offer 1.6 million seats—up 14 % on last year. While domestic carriers GOL and Azul are adding frequencies to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, international growth steals the spotlight: Copa Airlines launches a four-weekly Panama City service on 17 December, Air France upgrades its Paris flights to thrice-weekly wide-bodies, and Flybondi lifts Argentine capacity by 74 %.
Airport commercial director Júlia Orrico forecasts a single-day record of 36,000 passengers on 2 January. Staffing is up 20 % to keep immigration desks fully manned, and the Federal Police have activated e-channels for Mercosur national-ID holders, shaving minutes off arrival processing for regional business travellers.
![Salvador Bahia Airport Adds 14 % More Seats and New Copa Link Ahead of Summer Peak]()
For mobility planners the additional capacity reduces dependence on the São Paulo–Rio axis, allowing project crews to land closer to northeastern oil-&-gas fields, renewable-energy parks and emerging agritech clusters. Travel managers should brace for fare volatility—Amadeus data already show average prices 18 % above last summer—and secure hotel allotments early.
Corporate security teams will welcome the state government’s deployment of extra military-police patrols inside the terminal and on the airport highway, aimed at deterring seasonal petty crime. Practical tips include monitoring dynamic pricing around the New-Year peak and reminding travellers that summer heat can trigger ad-hoc baggage-weight limits on regional turboprops.
Airport commercial director Júlia Orrico forecasts a single-day record of 36,000 passengers on 2 January. Staffing is up 20 % to keep immigration desks fully manned, and the Federal Police have activated e-channels for Mercosur national-ID holders, shaving minutes off arrival processing for regional business travellers.
For mobility planners the additional capacity reduces dependence on the São Paulo–Rio axis, allowing project crews to land closer to northeastern oil-&-gas fields, renewable-energy parks and emerging agritech clusters. Travel managers should brace for fare volatility—Amadeus data already show average prices 18 % above last summer—and secure hotel allotments early.
Corporate security teams will welcome the state government’s deployment of extra military-police patrols inside the terminal and on the airport highway, aimed at deterring seasonal petty crime. Practical tips include monitoring dynamic pricing around the New-Year peak and reminding travellers that summer heat can trigger ad-hoc baggage-weight limits on regional turboprops.
