For international intra-regional routes, the picture is also uneven. Colombia and Uruguay report notable fare increases (+8.6% and +7.8%, respectively), while Argentina, Peru, and Chile show more moderate growth (+1.6% to +3.6%). In contrast, Mexico and Brazil record sharp declines of –7.1% and –8.4%. These figures suggest an unequal recovery in regional travel flows, with some countries facing greater difficulty maintaining strong intra-Latin American air connectivity.
One of the most striking trends lies in transcontinental routes to the United States. Tickets to the U.S. have dropped considerably, with fares falling by up to –50% year-over-year on routes from Chile, –25% from Brazil, and –24.9% from Argentina. Colombia (–14.4%), Mexico (–9.2%), and Peru (–8%) also experienced notable decreases. This scenario presents an opportunity to boost both outbound and inbound tourism between Latin America and the U.S. through late 2025. On the other hand, fares to Europe show a clear upward trend in most countries, with increases of +13% in Colombia, +16.5% in Mexico, +4.4% in Argentina, and smaller rises in Chile (+2.5%) and Peru (+2.4%). Brazil remains the exception, showing a –6.5% decline.
These shifts reflect the influence of geopolitical factors and increased market competition. While flights to the U.S. are becoming more affordable, connections to Europe are growing more expensive—widening the competitiveness gap among Latin American destinations depending on their international air links.
This situation unfolds in a region where air transport already supports 8.3 million jobs and contributes nearly USD 240 billion to regional GDP, according to IATA. However, Latin Americans take on average only 0.65 flights per year—far below the 2.5 in the U.S. or the 4.5 in Spain—indicating limited access to air connectivity.
Carlos Cendra, partner and Marketing & Communications Director at Mabrian, emphasizes that “air connectivity offers economic growth opportunities, boosts regional mobility, and enhances Latin America’s appeal as a tourism destination.” In his view, it is vital to expand route networks, allow new players to enter the market, and provide travelers with more affordable choices.
The report paints a complex picture. On one hand, falling fares to the U.S. open opportunities to consolidate travel flows between the two regions. On the other, rising costs to Europe could undermine the competitiveness of Latin American destinations for European tourists. Domestically, the uneven fare evolution reveals that better-structured destinations are capturing more demand, while others risk losing appeal due to high ticket prices.
This context calls for a coordinated strategy: strengthening domestic and international connectivity, encouraging low-cost carriers, implementing flexible pricing and promotion policies, and fostering public-private partnerships to improve access to air travel. Only through such measures can the structural barrier of high airfares be overcome, unlocking the full potential of tourism development in Latin America toward 2025 and beyond.
In short, the cost of air travel remains a decisive factor in the growth of Latin American tourism. As fares drop to the U.S. and rise to Europe, destinations in the region face the challenge of balancing competitiveness, connectivity, and affordability—key elements for encouraging more frequent and profitable travel. If progress is made on these fronts, what is now a barrier could become a catalyst for a more dynamic and sustainable tourism future across Latin America.
