Natal Airport inaugurates new Natal-Montevideo route and expands international portfolio

This is because GOL Linhas Aéreas celebrated last Saturday (21), in partnership with Natal Airport and the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, the inaugural flight to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. The non-stop route connects the Natal terminal to Carrasco International Airport (MVD). The direct link between the capital of Rio Grande do Norte and the Uruguayan capital takes place with 1 weekly round trip frequency, on Saturdays. 

Representatives from GOL, aviation executives and government authorities from Rio Grande do Norte were present at the ceremony. Representing GOL were Gustavo Tessari, Institutional and Governmental Relations Manager, and Marcos Tognato, Institutional and Governmental Relations Specialist. Raoni Fernandes, president of Emprotur, Marina Marinho, Secretary of Tourism of Rio Grande do Norte, Bruno Reis, Director of Marketing and Business at Embratur, and Marilac de Castro, Secretary of Economic Development and Tourism of São Gonçalo do Amarante, were also present, as well as André Lima, manager of Natal International Airport, managed by Zurich Airport Brazil.

“The arrival of the new route to Montevideo is a cause for celebration, as it strengthens the portfolio of international routes at Natal Airport, which already includes Buenos Aires and Lisbon. This achievement is the result of continuous work by Zurich Airport Brazil in partnership with the public sector, the tourism industry, and airlines ,” celebrated Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brazil.

Fátima Bezerra, governor of Rio Grande do Norte, said that the new route strengthens one of the main economic activities of the state. “The new direct route between Natal and Montevideo represents another important step in the strategy to expand the international connectivity of Rio Grande do Norte, strengthening tourism, generating business opportunities and boosting the economy of our state. This achievement is the result of joint work with the aviation sector and Emprotur to position RN as an increasingly competitive destination on the international stage . ”

“The new Natal-Montevideo route is a great achievement for GOL, in partnership with the government of Rio Grande do Norte, for our customers in the state, throughout the Brazilian Northeast and Uruguay. With this, we contribute to boosting, at the same time, the tourism potential of Natal and the Potiguar coast, the other beauties of the Northeast and, in the opposite direction, the attractions of Uruguay. Shortening distances and promoting connections is one of the Company's missions ,” stated Mateus Pongeluppi, Commercial Vice President of GOL.

“This new connectivity with Uruguay is the result of joint efforts by Embratur, the State Government, through Emprotur, and Zurich Airport to meet the growing demand from foreign visitors seeking to explore the state of Rio Grande do Norte. After all, in addition to investments in public safety and infrastructure, we offer diverse travel experiences in a single destination. The numbers have shown that Rio Grande do Norte is gaining prominence and attracting more and more flight offers and visitors ,” highlighted Raoni Fernandes, president of the Rio Grande do Norte Tourism Promotion Company – Emprotur.
 

International expansion in Natal

Montevideo is the second international destination offered by GOL from Natal International Airport (NAT), and Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is the third to be served – GOL already flies regularly from Natal to both Buenos Aires airports: Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE). The new NAT-MVD route plays a key role in the more than 15% growth in GOL's seat capacity in Rio Grande do Norte in 2026, compared to 2025.

Operations on the Natal-Montevideo route are divided into three periods: from March 21 to April 4; from June 27 to August 1; and from December 5, 2026. This allows customers from Rio Grande do Norte and other Northeastern states, as well as Uruguayans, to plan ahead and fly comfortably.

According to the airline, flights between Natal and Montevideo, Uruguay, will be operated with modern Boeing 737 aircraft, which, in international configuration, have a capacity for 176 passengers.

Tickets between Natal (NAT) and Montevideo (MVD) are available on the GOL and Smiles website and app, at GOL stores in airports, by calling the Customer Service Center (0300 115 2121) and at travel agencies.

See below for flight frequencies and schedules:     

Natal  ( NAT ) –  Montevideo  ( MVD ): from 03/21 to 04/04/2026; from 06/27 to 08/01/2026; and from 12/05/2026

Origin:  Natal (NAT) 4:20 PM    Destination:  Montevideo (MVD) 9:20 PM Saturday

Origin:  Montevideo (MVD) 10:15 PM  Destination : Natal (NAT) 3:35 AM Saturday