International flights consolidate Pará as a strategic bridge of Brazil with the outside world
New routes, such as the one that will be inaugurated on October 27 to Bogotá, strengthen the state's image as a gateway to the Amazon and a sustainable tourist destination, while also reinforcing the region's air connection with the world.
Starting from October 27, Belém will have a direct flight to Bogotá, Colombia, expanding the international connections of Belém International Airport. Operated by Avianca three times a week, on Airbus A320 Neo aircraft capable of carrying up to 180 passengers, the new route arrives at an important moment of tourism expansion and air connectivity, driven by the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
In recent years, the international air network of Belém International Airport has undergone significant expansion, with increased frequencies from Azul Linhas Aéreas, TAP Air Portugal, and other airlines, enhancing the connectivity of the North region with the rest of the world. Currently, the airport operates an average of 38 international flights weekly, with destinations in the Americas and Europe, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale (USA), Paramaribo (Suriname), Cayenne (French Guiana), and Lisbon (Portugal).
“The new flights are part of a strategy by the State Government to boost tourism, expand connectivity, and strengthen commercial relations, consolidating Pará as a strategic gateway of the Amazon and Brazil to the world,” highlights the Secretary of Tourism of Pará, Eduardo Costa.
Growth of the network and passenger movement
Between January and September 2025, Belém International Airport recorded over 132,000 passengers embarking or disembarking on 1,365 regular international flights, according to data from Northern Amazon Airports (NOA). The numbers represent increases of 54% in the volume of travelers and 90% in international frequencies compared to the same period in 2023, the year when Belém was chosen to host COP30, when 85,800 passengers were served in 720 operations.
This advancement consolidates the expansion of international connectivity that began in 2023, with the strengthening of existing routes and the arrival of new operations. At that time, Belém had regular connections to Fort Lauderdale (USA), operated by Azul Linhas Aéreas; Lisbon (Portugal), by TAP Air Portugal; Paramaribo (Suriname), by Fly All Ways, Surinam Airways, and Gol; and Cayenne (French Guiana), by Air France. Currently, all these airlines maintain international flights, except for Fly All Ways, and the network continues to grow. In June 2025, Gol started a new regular route to Miami, with three weekly frequencies.
This continuous growth highlights the results of the strategic actions of the State Government to strengthen tourism, expand international connectivity, and position Pará as a key hub of the Amazon in the global scenario. The choice of Belém as the host city for COP30 has enhanced this dynamic, consolidating the airport and the state as strategic gateways for Brazil, with positive impacts on the economy and sustainable tourism in the region.
During COP30, other airlines will also expand their operations: Latam will have seasonal flights to Bogotá; Air France will add frequencies to Cayenne (French Guiana); and TAP Air Portugal will operate flights to Lisbon on larger capacity aircraft. In the domestic scenario, Latam and Gol announced an increase in the network to meet the demand of the event.
Between November 1 and 23, during COP30, the concessionaire projects to serve around 508,000 passengers among embarkations, disembarkations, and connections, on 3,122 scheduled flights. The flow is almost double the movement recorded in the same period of 2024, with a flight offer 57% higher.
Impacts on tourism and the economy
The State Tourism Secretariat predicts that Pará will receive around 1.5 million visitors in 2025, driven by COP30, and that the tourism sector could grow by more than 20%. Data from the Pará Tourism Observatory shows that, in 2024, the state received over 1.2 million tourists, an increase of 15.4% over 2023, with revenue exceeding R$ 870 million from the spending of national and international visitors.
Modern and prepared infrastructure
Belém International Airport has undergone renovations, and among the improvements are the expansion of the boarding areas from 1,593 m² to 4,303 m², the increase of remote boarding from 265 m² to 835 m², and the modernization of operational infrastructure, ensuring more agility and comfort for passengers.
According to the CEO of NOA, Marco Antônio Migliorini, “the airport is prepared not only for major events like COP30 but also to accompany the coming years of growth in tourism, the economy, and air mobility in the North region.”
Passenger experience
The increase in international connectivity and the expansion of the air network have made travel faster, more practical, and accessible. Architect and urban planner Carlos Alberto Soares highlights the reduction in costs and travel time provided by direct international routes.
“The new flights have made life easier for travelers, with fewer connections, more airline options, improved service, and more affordable prices. The direct flight to the United States, for example, allowed me to fulfill my daughter's dream of celebrating her 15th birthday there with family,” he says.
