LATAM announces direct flights to Buenos Aires departing from Natal Airport

The announcement was made this Friday (19) by executives of the airline together with the State Government, representatives of Zurich Airport Brazil and the tourism trade.

Flights will begin on December 15, 2026, with three weekly frequencies, on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Operations will connect Natal Airport to Ezeiza Airport in the Argentine capital and are scheduled to run until the end of February 2027.

"LATAM is a great partner, so it's a source of joy and evidence of confidence to see it entering the international market in Natal, an airport where it already operates domestic flights very well. Furthermore, it demonstrates that Rio Grande do Norte is increasingly consolidating itself as a competitive tourist destination in Brazil ," highlights Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brazil.

Representing LATAM Airlines Brazil, Eduardo Macedo, head of Public Affairs for the company, said that the opening of the direct route strengthens tourism in the state and in the Northeast region.

“The opening of the direct route between Natal and Buenos Aires represents an important milestone for the international connectivity of Rio Grande do Norte and for strengthening tourism in the Northeast. By expanding our offering to Argentina, one of the main tourist-generating markets for Brazil, we contribute to generating more business opportunities, boosting the local economy, and facilitating travelers' access to destinations that are increasingly sought after for their diverse experiences ,” said Eduardo Macedo, Head of Public Affairs at LATAM Airlines Brazil.

For Governor Fátima Bezerra, this new international route proves that Rio Grande do Norte is a consolidated tourist destination. “It’s important to emphasize the competent work that our team has been doing in promoting the destination and, above all, with the tax incentive policy that has been decisive in attracting new national and international flights. New flights mean more visitors and more development for our people ,” she highlights.

According to Raoni Fernandes, president of the Potiguar Tourism Promotion Company (Emprotur), no government prior to that of Professor Fátima Bezerra had attracted so many new regular international routes. “Previously there were 5 weekly flights, and only to Portugal. Now, with this new route, we have 21 weekly operations, connecting Rio Grande do Norte to Portugal daily, to Argentina through the Ezeiza and Aeroparque airports, and to Montevideo. We are the second busiest airport in the Northeast for Argentina, which is the leading country in the ranking of international tourist origins, not only for Rio Grande do Norte but also for Brazil. Our growth has been above the national average, and this is not by chance; it is the result of a lot of hard work and political decision-making ,” he said.

The State Secretary of Tourism, Marina Marinho, celebrates this moment. “New flight, new international route, the result of a political decision by our governor, Professor Fátima, but it’s impossible not to acknowledge the work that the entire Emprotur and Setur team has been doing in the international promotion of our destination, positioning Rio Grande do Norte as a safe, prepared, and welcoming place to receive more and more tourists . ”

The new operations expand connectivity between the two countries and meet the growing demand from Argentine tourists for Brazilian destinations. According to Embratur, more than 3 million Argentinians visited Brazil in 2025, an 80% increase compared to the previous year. Air arrivals grew by 28% during the period, reinforcing the importance of air connectivity for tourism development.

In the first four months of 2026, Natal Airport handled almost 80,000 international passengers, a 107% increase compared to the first four months of 2025. The number of international flights increased by 87%, totaling 575 operations.

Currently, GOL and JetSMART also offer the route between Natal Airport and Argentina. Other international routes include the seasonal flight to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, by GOL, and to Lisbon, via TAP Air Portugal.

Since February 2024, Zurich Airport Brasil has invested approximately R$ 59 million in the terminal's infrastructure. Improvements include modernization of the air conditioning system, provision of free high-speed Wi-Fi, implementation of a multi-sensory room, a pet area, new signage, and expansion of VIP lounges. In the area of ​​sustainability, a highlight is the implementation of a solar power plant with 11,000 panels, an initiative that will make the airport largely self-sufficient in energy.