Fresh statistics released by concessionaire GRU Airport on 22 February 2026 show São Paulo/Guarulhos handled 47.2 million passengers in 2025, overtaking Bogotá and Mexico City to become Latin America’s busiest hub. International traffic alone hit a record 16.8 million, fuelled by new routes to Doha, Los Angeles and Johannesburg.
To accommodate growth, GRU confirmed a R$ 2.55 billion cap-ex programme, co-funded with Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports, including a 14-gate Pier T3B for wide-body aircraft, a bigger Terminal 2 departures hall and a landside hotel and multi-storey car park. The new pier will boost annual capacity by 11 million seats when it opens in late 2026.
For corporate mobility teams, the expansion promises shorter connection times and additional premium-lounge space, but also construction-phase congestion. Several airlines will shift check-in zones next quarter; travel managers should update airport-maps in traveller apps accordingly.
![Guarulhos Reclaims Title as Latin America’s Busiest Airport, Plans R$ 2.5 Billion Expansion]()
At this stage, obtaining the correct travel documentation is just as critical as securing airport slots. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) streamlines the e-visa and traditional visa process for Brazil and more than 200 other destinations, giving travel managers real-time status updates and API connectivity for booking tools. Leveraging these services can help corporations keep pace with GRU’s expanding network while avoiding last-minute compliance snags.
Analysts say Guarulhos’ resurgence reflects Brazil’s post-pandemic economic rebound and the rapid adoption of e-Visas by markets such as the UAE, Mexico and—now—China. However, the airport’s airspace saturation has resurrected debate over a fourth runway, shelved in 2018 amid environmental objections.
With São Paulo winning the 2027 INTA (International Trademark Association) Annual Meeting, demand for slots during the May congress is expected to outstrip supply. Charter operators are already advising clients to secure parking permits six months in advance.
To accommodate growth, GRU confirmed a R$ 2.55 billion cap-ex programme, co-funded with Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports, including a 14-gate Pier T3B for wide-body aircraft, a bigger Terminal 2 departures hall and a landside hotel and multi-storey car park. The new pier will boost annual capacity by 11 million seats when it opens in late 2026.
For corporate mobility teams, the expansion promises shorter connection times and additional premium-lounge space, but also construction-phase congestion. Several airlines will shift check-in zones next quarter; travel managers should update airport-maps in traveller apps accordingly.
At this stage, obtaining the correct travel documentation is just as critical as securing airport slots. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) streamlines the e-visa and traditional visa process for Brazil and more than 200 other destinations, giving travel managers real-time status updates and API connectivity for booking tools. Leveraging these services can help corporations keep pace with GRU’s expanding network while avoiding last-minute compliance snags.
Analysts say Guarulhos’ resurgence reflects Brazil’s post-pandemic economic rebound and the rapid adoption of e-Visas by markets such as the UAE, Mexico and—now—China. However, the airport’s airspace saturation has resurrected debate over a fourth runway, shelved in 2018 amid environmental objections.
With São Paulo winning the 2027 INTA (International Trademark Association) Annual Meeting, demand for slots during the May congress is expected to outstrip supply. Charter operators are already advising clients to secure parking permits six months in advance.
