LATAM resumes Porto Alegre to Santos Dumont flights October
LATAM Airlines Brasil will restart direct flights between Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro's Santos Dumont Airport on October 25, 2026, with two daily
LATAM resumes direct flights between Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro's Santos Dumont Airport from October 2026. The airline will restart the service on October 25 with two daily frequencies in each direction, restoring a key non-stop connection between the southern city and Rio's downtown airport.
Tickets are already available for purchase on the airline's website, its app, and through other sales channels. The resumption means Porto Alegre will again have direct flights to both of Rio de Janeiro's major airports: Santos Dumont (SDU) and Galeão (GIG). This expansion aims to increase connectivity and offer more options for both leisure and business passengers.
Flight schedule and timing
The new service includes morning and evening flights designed to facilitate same-day round trips. Flight durations range between one hour fifty minutes and two hours, depending on the direction.
| Route | Morning Departure | Morning Arrival | Evening Departure | Evening Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto Alegre to Santos Dumont (POA-SDU) | 09:10 | 11:05 | 20:05 | 21:55 |
| Santos Dumont to Porto Alegre (SDU-POA) | 06:30 | 08:30 | 17:15 | 19:15 |
Context of the suspension and restoration
The route had been suspended since 2024. It was previously operated by LATAM until federal restrictions were imposed on Santos Dumont Airport in the second half of 2023. The objective was to increase flight and passenger traffic at the larger Galeão Airport, which had excess capacity.
A passenger-capacity limit of 6.5 million annual travelers was set for Santos Dumont through an agreement involving the city hall, the federal government, and the Tribunal de Contas da União. This limit, effective since 2024, led some cities, including Porto Alegre, to lose their direct connection to the downtown airport. Currently, no airline offers direct flights between Santos Dumont and Porto Alegre.
Broader connectivity and passenger benefits
The restoration gives travelers a choice. Santos Dumont Airport is located in the central region of Rio de Janeiro, offering convenient access to the city's south zone and business districts. In contrast, Galeão Airport is situated on Ilha do Governador in Zona Norte, about 20 kilometers from the city center, where travel is often delayed by traffic, especially during peak hours.
Currently, direct flights from Porto Alegre to Rio de Janeiro only land at Galeão, operated by LATAM, Azul, and Gol. The new Santos Dumont route will be operated by LATAM Airlines Brasil. Passengers can earn and redeem LATAM Pass points on this route. The airline also offers direct flights from Santos Dumont to Congonhas in São Paulo, Guarulhos in Greater São Paulo, and Brasília.
Seat availability may vary significantly at launch. Travelers are advised to compare fares and point costs with flights to Galeão before booking.
