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LATAM’s 2026 Cape Town entry reshapes Brazil–Africa connectivity LATAM’s 2026 Cape Town entry reshapes Brazil–Africa connectivity

LATAM Brazil has confirmed a far‑reaching international expansion for 2026, highlighted by the launch of a new São Paulo–Cape Town route that significantly deepens the airline’s presence in southern Africa. According to industry reports, the service will begin in September 2026, operating three times per week with Boeing 787 aircraft. The announcement forms part of a broader long‑haul strategy that also includes new flights from São Paulo–Guarulhos to Amsterdam (from April 2026) and Brussels (from June 2026), both confirmed at three weekly frequencies and also scheduled on the 787.

For Africa’s aviation and tourism sector, the Cape Town development stands out as a milestone. It adds a second non‑stop South America–South Africa link to complement LATAM’s existing Johannesburg service, positioning Cape Town as a new gateway for Brazilian travellers and freight. Multiple search results confirm that this will be the first direct commercial connection between Brazil and Cape Town, further diversifying access for the city’s leisure, MICE and business travel segments.

The move reinforces LATAM’s long‑term commitment to growing its footprint on the continent. The airline resumed São Paulo–Johannesburg flights in 2023, steadily increasing frequencies as demand recovered. Johannesburg continues to play a strategic role within LATAM’s African network, serving as the main distribution point for partnerships and onward regional links. With Cape Town joining the map in 2026, the airline gains a dual‑gateway model that mirrors the geographical diversity of South Africa’s tourism economy—Cape Town for leisure and lifestyle‑driven demand, Johannesburg for commercial and regional connectivity.

For African travel professionals, the new Cape Town route offers several advantages. Direct connectivity with Brazil’s largest hub, São Paulo–Guarulhos, strengthens two‑way tourism flows, reduces journey times, and enhances the attractiveness of South America for combination itineraries. It also creates opportunities for freight operators, as belly‑hold capacity on the 787 offers additional cargo space for perishables, pharmaceuticals and niche export sectors in both countries. With growing trade links between Brazil and South Africa, the route is expected to contribute to a more balanced commercial corridor.

Beyond Africa, LATAM’s confirmed European expansion underscores a renewed focus on primary continental markets. The Amsterdam route launches in April 2026 with three rotations weekly, while Brussels follows in June 2026 at the same frequency. Both services enhance LATAM’s long‑haul reach from São Paulo, supporting its 787‑based intercontinental fleet strategy and complementing an already large European portfolio that includes Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Paris, Frankfurt and London. With Amsterdam’s strategic role in global connectivity and Brussels’ political and institutional relevance, these routes deepen the airline’s access to high‑yield segments.

Domestically, LATAM is also accelerating its Brazilian expansion. The carrier plans to add four new destinations—Uberaba, Juiz de Fora, Caldas Novas and Campina Grande—bringing its total number of Brazilian airports served to 63, a figure corroborated across industry sources. Improved domestic reach is meant to strengthen feeder traffic into Guarulhos, ensuring that long‑haul operations benefit from a more integrated connectivity structure.

LATAM CEO Jerome Cadier described the 2026 expansion as the outcome of careful commercial evaluation, emphasising that the routes were selected after detailed analysis of proven travel demand. Industry briefings indicate that LATAM’s growing long‑haul footprint is aligned with a clear plan to deploy the 787 across intercontinental sectors, ensuring both efficiency and network consistency. This reflects a multi‑year strategy to centralise the airline’s international growth at São Paulo–Guarulhos, which remains the group’s largest hub.

For South Africa, the São Paulo–Cape Town launch is set to boost one of the country’s strongest tourism engines. Cape Town’s mix of outdoor attractions, culinary culture, heritage sites and business travel demand aligns well with Brazilian travellers’ preferences. The direct route eliminates the need to connect through Johannesburg or non‑African hubs, simplifying travel and widening Cape Town’s appeal across South America. Industry observers expect the service to stimulate fresh corporate links, sports tourism exchanges and joint marketing opportunities between the two nations.

From a broader continental perspective, LATAM’s expansion holds significance for Africa’s long‑haul positioning. South America remains a market with high growth potential but limited direct capacity into Africa. With the new 2026 services, Africa gains more visibility within LATAM’s global strategy, potentially paving the way for future cooperation with regional carriers or expanded interline partnerships beyond Johannesburg.

Ultimately, the launch of the São Paulo–Cape Town service—and the simultaneous expansion into Amsterdam and Brussels—reflects a bold, forward‑looking approach to long‑haul growth. For Africa’s tourism and aviation industry, LATAM’s decision offers new commercial prospects, deeper cross‑regional ties and enhanced global visibility for Cape Town’s already dynamic market.