Brazil Faces Major Disruptions as TAM Airlines Hits São Paulo, Rio

(SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL) Brazil’s two busiest metro areas are facing ongoing flight disruptions, with over 30 cancellations and dozens of delays tied to TAM Airlines (LATAM Brasil) operations across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in early September. The irregularities intensified after September 5, 2025, when LATAM Brasil confirmed 11 cancellations in a single day affecting São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU), São Paulo-Congonhas (CGH), and Rio’s Galeão (GIG). In the following days, the problems grew, including 16 cancellations and 36 delays, and continued into September 10, with real-time data showing schedule changes on high-traffic shuttles like flight JJ3925 (TAM3925) between SDU and CGH.

The airline has acknowledged “operational challenges,” yet as of September 11, 2025, has not detailed the causes or set a clear timeline to fix the situation. Brazil’s civil aviation regulator, ANAC, has not issued an emergency order but is tracking compliance and passenger care rules. Airport operator leadership continues to point to strong infrastructure and ongoing investments, while avoiding direct comment on airline operations.

Scope of the disruptions

The hardest-hit routes sit on Brazil’s busiest air corridor: São Paulo (GRU, CGH)–Rio de Janeiro (GIG, SDU). These shuttles carry large numbers of business travelers, families, and international visitors connecting through GRU and GIG. When flights stack up with delays and cancellations, missed connections ripple outward, stranding travelers far from home and placing extra load on rebooking desks and call centers.

By midweek, airport screens in both cities showed clusters of delays in the morning and late-afternoon peaks. LATAM Brasil, known domestically as TAM Airlines, canceled more than 30 flights across several days and shifted departure times for many others. Last-minute fares fluctuated sharply: some fares between São Paulo and Rio were as low as US$24–$38 at odd hours, but inventory often vanished quickly due to surge demand.

For thousands of passengers, the daily impact is personal:
– A freelance designer flying SDU–CGH for a same-day client meeting saw the morning shuttle pushed back two hours, then canceled. By the time she rebooked, the next available seat was late evening, forcing her to move the meeting online from the gate.
– Parents with small children described long lines for meal vouchers and scarce updates.
– International travelers arriving at GRU reported tight connections turning into overnight stays.

Airport teams have been in constant triage: redirecting lines, setting up extra staff at problem gates, and juggling gate changes to keep movements safe and orderly. Frontline workers describe heavy pressure during evening waves, especially when back-to-back cancellations trigger large crowds seeking meal vouchers and hotel letters simultaneously.

Passenger rights and practical steps

Brazilian rules require airlines to provide assistance during major delays and cancellations. Depending on wait time and circumstances, passengers may be entitled to communication support, meals, accommodation, and rebooking at no extra cost. ANAC also requires clear information about flight status and options offered.

If your flight is affected, consider this plan:
1. Check live status frequently via the airline app, airport boards, or trusted flight trackers.
2. Contact LATAM Brasil for rebooking, refunds, or compensation, and keep all receipts and documentation.
3. If you have urgent travel needs, check competing carriers such as Gol or Azul, but expect tight capacity while the corridor absorbs extra demand.
4. If you miss a long-haul connection, ask the airline to reprotect you on the next available option and to cover care owed under Brazil’s rules.

ANAC maintains public guidance on passenger rights and airline duties. For official information and regulator contacts, visit ANAC’s website.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travelers who keep digital copies of boarding passes, vouchers, and chat logs with the airline tend to secure faster refunds or alternative flights when disputes arise.

Practical checklist for affected passengers:
– Keep screenshots or PDFs of boarding passes and any vouchers.
– Save chat transcripts, emails, and call reference numbers.
– Retain receipts for meals, hotels, and transportation for reimbursement claims.
– Note names and positions of staff you interact with when getting written confirmations.

Policy context and outlook

Brazil has tried to shore up capacity and resilience recently. In March 2024, the government launched the International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI), offering BRL 40 per seat for new international flights landing in Brazil between October 27, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The program aims to attract more routes and carriers, easing pressure on hubs like GRU and GIG and giving travelers more choices when one airline hits a rough patch.

At the same time, new CO₂ emissions monitoring rules that took effect on January 1, 2025, added compliance steps for airlines on international routes. Industry analysts say these rules are part of a wider modernization push; while necessary for transparency and sustainability, they can mean new processes and costs for carriers already juggling tight schedules, crew plans, and maintenance windows.

Fábio Rogério Carvalho, who leads Aeroportos do Brasil (ABR), has highlighted ongoing investments and the strength of airport infrastructure nationwide. He has not, however, commented directly on the current operational issues at LATAM Brasil. Government officials point to recent upgrades at major terminals—totaling more than R$50 billion in the last two years—as proof that airports can handle growth and shocks. But bigger terminals alone cannot fix airline-level scheduling or crew bottlenecks.

Industry voices identify multiple likely root causes:
– Tighter crew availability during peak periods
– Heavy demand as passenger volumes reach pre-2019 levels
– Network rebuilding and complexity after the pandemic
– Individual triggers such as late inbound aircraft, crew timing problems, or weather

Because the São Paulo–Rio shuttle features fast aircraft turns and high frequency, knock-on effects escalate quickly when one element slips.

Short-, medium-, and long-term outlook

• Short term: Expect rolling changes on the corridor and on connecting flights. Travelers should plan for last-minute cancellations, delays, and crowded customer service points.
• Medium term: PATI incentives and continued airport investments may spread traffic across more carriers and routes, reducing the impact when one airline stumbles.
• Long term: Steady regulatory oversight and improved airline planning could increase system resilience, especially during peak seasons and weather disruptions.

There is still no official end date for the irregular operations. Until things normalize, recommended strategies include:
– Build longer layovers for connections.
– Book early departures when time-sensitive travel is required.
– Keep backup plans: alternate airports, seats on competing carriers, or flexible tickets that allow changes without high fees.

Communication and passenger experience

Travelers and advocacy groups urge better communication. Clear updates at the gate and in apps can reduce stress and help families make timely choices about meals, hotels, or child care. When passengers know their rights and airlines respond quickly, disruptions—while still painful—become easier to manage.

LATAM Brasil says it is working to stabilize the schedule. ANAC continues to monitor, and airports are managing flow with the resources at hand. Until operations normalize, expect more crowded boarding areas, stretched customer service, and a bumpy ride on Brazil’s busiest shuttle—proof that when one link in the chain strains, everyone feels it.