38 Flights Canceled, 300+ Delays Across Colombia, Peru, Brazil

(SÃO PAULO, PERU (LIMA)) Airlines across South America canceled dozens of departures and posted hundreds of delays through Wednesday, leaving thousands of travelers stuck in terminals from São Paulo to the Andean highlands. As of the evening of October 15, 2025, at least 38 flights were canceled and more than 300 delayed in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, with disruptions tied to Avianca, LATAM, Delta, and other carriers. The hardest-hit airports include São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU), Lima–Jorge Chávez (LIM), and Cusco–Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ).

LATAM confirmed a series of cancellations in Peru beginning October 13, with at least 17 flights canceled in Lima, Arequipa, Tacna, and Cusco, leaving many travelers unable to rebook quickly due to limited seats. Avianca reported 18 cancellations across Colombia and Brazil, notably affecting El Dorado (BOG) and GRU. LATAM Brasil also abruptly canceled more than a dozen flights on October 9, extending the strain on Brazilian routes. Multiple sources across the region place the combined LATAM and Avianca toll between 34–38 flights canceled, with more cancellations and delays reported by Delta and other carriers.

The disruptions worsened as Peru’s transport strike and protests from October 13–15 triggered roadblocks and slow ground access, especially in Lima and Cusco. That made it harder for passengers to reach airports and for crews to position, compounding delays. In Brazil, a mix of operational challenges and possible labor actions has led to last-minute changes, according to regional reports. In Colombia, some cancellations relate to operational issues and, in certain cases, fuel shortages. With flights canceled across key hubs, the ripple effects spread to connections across South America.

Airports and airlines hit hardest

Travelers reported crowding at check-in and customer service counters in several terminals on Wednesday. According to airport and airline updates reviewed by this publication and corroborated by local media bulletins:

• Lima (LIM): High volume of cancellations and missed connections, with long lines at ticket counters and security due to strike-related ground delays.
• São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU): Numerous late departures and rolling delays as LATAM, Avianca, and Delta worked to reassign crews and aircraft.
• Cusco (CUZ): Weather windows at a high-altitude airport and blocked roads intensified delays following earlier cancellations.
• Bogotá (BOG): Avianca cancellations and late-in-day delays affected both domestic and regional flights.
• Arequipa (AQP) and Tacna (TCQ): Limited options for same-day rebooking after LATAM’s Peru cancellations.

The scale of disruption—38+ flights canceled and 300+ delays—has strained rebooking systems and reduced seat availability on popular routes. Families on multi-city itineraries face the most pressure: a single missed Lima–Cusco leg can unravel plans across the region, from Amazon tours to international connections via São Paulo or Bogotá.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, major South American hubs have limited surge capacity during peak holiday months, making same-week rebooking especially tough when multiple airlines adjust schedules at once.

For LATAM and Avianca, the immediate challenge is to stabilize daily operations while clearing the backlog of stranded passengers. Delta and other international carriers report secondary impacts, including delayed inbound aircraft and disrupted crew rest schedules. In practice, that means more late departures and a tight window for on-time performance, especially at airports with curfews or weather constraints.

Why the disruptions worsened

• Peru (Oct 13–15 transport strike and protests): Roadblocks and slow ground access prevented passengers and crews from reaching airports — particularly in Lima and Cusco — compounding flight delays and cancellations.
• Brazil: Operational challenges and possible labor actions led to last-minute cancellations and rolling delays. The situation intensified after LATAM Brasil canceled more than a dozen flights on October 9.
• Colombia: Operational issues and occasional fuel shortages have aggravated schedules, contributing to cancellations at hubs like El Dorado (BOG).

Cusco’s geography (high altitude and variable weather) and tighter daylight operating windows add an extra layer of complexity, making recoveries slower than at coastal airports.

What travelers can do now

With conditions still evolving and no official end date announced, travelers in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia can take concrete steps to reduce stress and improve their odds of departure:

1. Check and monitor
   • Check your booking every few hours via the airline app or website.
   • Sign up for alerts from Avianca, LATAM, and Delta.
2. Allow extra transfer time (Peru)
   • If you’re in Peru, allow 3–4 hours for airport transfers. Roadblocks near Lima and Cusco can double travel time.
   • Use official taxi counters or trusted ride-hail services.
3. Act quickly on cancellations/delays
   • If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, contact the airline immediately.
   • Ask for free rebooking, meal and hotel vouchers where applicable, and written proof of disruption for insurance claims.
4. Keep documents handy
   • Have passports, visas, and onward tickets ready for last-minute rebookings or gate changes.
5. Consider alternate airports
   • Southern Peru travelers may find options from Arequipa (AQP).
   • In Brazil, Campinas or Congonhas (CGH) may offer alternatives for some routes.
6. Protect connections
   • If you hold separate tickets, inform the airline agent and request assistance to safeguard downstream legs.
7. Use partner/interline options
   • Ask agents to check partner or interline availability; carriers sometimes release seats once operational plans firm up.
8. Follow official guidance
   • For country-specific safety and travel updates, see the U.S. Embassy’s security and travel information for Peru at the U.S. Embassy in Peru.

Practical tips and documentation

• Keep receipts for food, transport, and lodging related to disruptions. Credit card travel protections can offset costs airlines do not cover.
• Request written confirmation of the disruption from the airline — many consulates, employers, and tour operators accept this as proof when rescheduling appointments or services.
• Families, students, and people on tight visa or residency timelines should ask airlines for the earliest possible alternative and a written disruption notice to present to authorities or institutions.
• For non-refundable tours (e.g., in Cusco) or missed domestic hops from Bogotá, tour companies may allow date changes if you provide proof of airline cancellation.

Operational outlook and traveler strategies

• Demand is expected to remain high after October 15, so some travelers are choosing to delay non-urgent trips by a few days to improve rebooking odds.
• Early morning departures tend to recover faster; consider switching to those if possible.
• Airports recommend arriving early, packing medications and chargers in carry-on luggage, and asking gate staff for priority assistance if you have small children or medical needs.

For many stuck in terminals this week, a seat near a power outlet and a meal voucher can make long waits more bearable while airlines sort limited seats across popular routes served by Avianca, LATAM, and Delta.